FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE             
September 6, 2006                                                      
                            
Clean Water Action endorses
Rebecca Otto over green party candidate

ENDORSEMENT COULD AFFECT OUTCOME OF STATE AUDITOR RACE
DECISION HIGHLIGHTS OTTO'S UNUSUALLY STRONG ENVIRONMENTAL CREDENTIALS

Clean Water Action Alliance (CWAA) has endorsed DFLer Rebecca Otto today over Green Party candidate Dave Berger in the race for State Auditor. CWAA is an advocate for Minnesota's environment at all levels of decision-making.  Since 1982, CWAA has organized and mobilized Minnesota citizens to protect public health and the environment.

"I live my values and I'm very honored by this endorsement," said Rebecca Otto, a former State Representative.  "It was by no means a given, since CWAA often endorses the green candidate."

Otto and her husband Shawn live in a passive-solar, super-insulated home they built with their own hands.  A wind generator in their back yard produces most of the family's power, and offsets the burning of 14,000 pounds of coal each year.  A walleye rearing pond on the Ottos' land is also one of the state's cleanest and most productive nurseries.

"We have made conscious decisions as a family over the years around conservation, and making wise investments in the future," said Otto.  "We have an 11 year old, and we are very committed to making sure that we leave this earth a better place for the next generation."  

Otto, who taught environmental science for five years in Mounds View public schools, also worked to curb mercury emissions, and to champion other environmental initiatives as a state representative.  "I think it is very important to have officials at the executive levels of government who not only understand the importance of conservation and renewable energy, but who have lived it for years.  I can share my knowledge with local government officials around wise investments in conservation and renewable energy to save money down the road, and save the environment."

Minnesota DFL Chair Brian Melendez says the endorsement underscores Otto's "super-green" credentials. "Rebecca Otto doesn't just speak the language of green policies - she lives them," said Melendez, "Rebecca and her family have built their home and their lives around their commitment to protecting our environment. The DFL Party has a candidate who lives up to any standard that a pro-environment group would want."

That distinction is important, says Melendez, because in 2002 the DFL candidate Carol Johnson lost to Republican Patricia Anderson by about 15,000 votes, or less than 3/4 of one percent. Dave Berger, the Green candidate then and now, polled 78,000 votes in 2002 - over five times the margin between Anderson and Johnson, most of it from Minneapolis, St Paul, and inner-ring suburbs. "Anderson's election four years ago has resulted in terrible policies and cuts to our local governments that have driven up property taxes," says Melendez.

"Rebecca Otto will advocate for policies that strengthen our local communities and drive property taxes back down. And she's dedicated professionally and personally to green initiatives and sound environmental policies. Today's endorsement could make all the difference for Minnesota's health and strength."

###