The New Jersey Sierra Club has endorsed Somerset County Freeholder Candidates Paul Drake and Doug Singleterry. Founded in 1892, the Sierra Club is the nation’s most enduring and influential grassroots environmental organization with over 3.5 million members and supporters.

“Paul Drake and Doug Singleterry have made protecting the environment in Somerset County one of the highest priorities of their campaign. Doug and Paul have proposed a comprehensive climate change plan to make Somerset County a leader in fighting climate change. Their plan includes bolstering the county’s use of renewable energy, increasing electric vehicle charging stations, promoting electric school buses and expanding mass transit, including expanded one-seat ride rail service to New York City on the Raritan Valley train line,” said Gary Frederick, Chair of the New Jersey Sierra Club Raritan Valley Group.

Paul Drake has lived in Somerset County his entire life. He is an environmental expert, with previous work at the NJ Department of Environmental Protection, the National Park Service, and the State Planning Commission.

“The freeholder candidates also propose developing hiking and biking trails and wildlife corridors to link parks, open space and natural areas throughout Somerset County as well as strategic restoration of forests and other preserved lands to promote carbon sequestration, which aids in fighting climate change. Paul Drake and Doug Singleterry are true advocates for the environment and the Sierra Club is proud to endorse them,” said Teresa Callahan, Political Chair of the New Jersey Sierra Club Raritan Valley Group.

Douglas Singleterry has championed economic development and sustainability during his four terms on the North Plainfield Borough Council. He has also received the Service to the Community Award presented by the NJ State Bar Young Lawyers Division.

“Since the change in Somerset County’s government to Democratic leadership, they have taken on more issues when it comes to the environment. This includes dealing with climate change, clean water, and expanding our parks. This endorsement continues the positive environmental changes that are happening in the Somerset County Freeholders,” said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club.

The Sierra Club is the nation’s oldest and largest grassroots environmental organization with 3.8 million members and supporters nationwide. As Tittel describes it, “The Sierra Club endorsement is the green version of the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval.”