Why Is NJ League Of Conservation Voters “Corporate Advisory Board” Secret?
Corporate Influence On “Environmental Group” Raises Flags About Recent Endorsement of Mikie Sherrill For Governor
On February 10, 2025, the NJ League Of Conservation Voters co-sponsored a “conversation with Gubernatorial Candidates”. The event was broadcast by co-sponsor NJ Spotlight, see:
During the debate, candidate Mikie Sherrill called the problems with offshore wind in New Jersey
“a real failure of permitting and regulation in our state. ….. We, because of many regulatory and permitting problems, took way too long. That cost us.”
That is a false and misleading statement and reflects a corporate ideological view of the “negative” role of environmental regulation and government oversight.
Sherrill then called for an “all of the above” energy policy, rehashing the failed Obama policy and serving to support expansion of nuclear power and fossil natural gas.
In response to a direct Yes or No question, Sherrill also refused to support a moratorium on new fossil infrastructure and instead offered a misleading and diversionary rambling word salad of a response about a “complex issue” (listen at time 29:50)
In contrast, candidate Fulop supported the moratorium concept (and even got the process right by mentioning the need for Gov.’s support (Executive Order) that leads to Legislation. That’s exactly how Gubernatorial leadership has been used in NJ for major environmental wins):
“It’s not reasonable to say, ‘Tomorrow it ends,’” Fulop said. “What you do with the goals and legislation moving forward that speaks to a moratorium is it sets an agenda on where you prioritize your money, how you interact with PSE&G and companies like that. And I think that’s important, that you get via legislation and the governor leaning into that. I think that’s why it’s important to have somebody that’s committed to that sort of ideology with understanding that it doesn’t happen tomorrow.”
In my view, Sherrill was the weakest Democratic candidate and closer to Republican candidate Bramnick – who openly attacked DEP and regulations – than the other more progressive Democratic candidates.
Curious, just 8 days later, NJ LCV endorsed Sherrill.
I was told by a reliable source that at the NJ LCV endorsement press conference, they wouldn’t make core sustainability commitments publicly and repeatedly wouldn’t commit to issues around electrification, truck standards etc… This source advised that it was embarrassing for them or anyone that was watching.
I’ve long been a critic of NJ LCV, particularly their weak policy positions and sycophantic cheerleading of Gov. Murphy and his former corporate lawyer DEP Commissioner Shawn LaTourette.
In just now doing some “follow the money” research on NJ LCV, I found some troubling information on their IRS 990 filings, including the fact that revenues have increased 6 fold since 2017. It is not clear where all that money is coming from, including $2 million in new assets.
Worse, in trying to understand influence, my access was denied to NJ LCV “Corporate Advisory Board” webpage.
The Chairman of the Board of NJLCV is Randy Jones, a man with a very corporate background, according to his LinkedIn account.
So, the fact that the corporate influenced NJ LCV endorsed another corporate Democrat is not surprising.
But the lack of transparency certainly is troubling and raises questions about the credibility of their endorsement of Sherrill.
Will the press ask NJLCV and Sherrill tough questions about all that?
[End Note: I’ve taken no money from any group, individual, or politician and I do not endorse candidates.]
[Update: Here is how Ed Potosnak, Executive Director of NJ LCV, “responded” to my criticisms and concerns:
You should know that Bill Wolfe is quite out of touch and as a matter of practice I do not read his conspiracy rhetoric
That’s known as an ad hominem.
That’s Ed, second from the left, embracing Gov. Murphy.