(Photo credit: Kristen Norman)
On Tuesday, Grand Rapids and Kent Country voted.
So did the county overall. We'll be direct: the result of the presidential election is a setback to the world’s efforts to address the climate crisis. (And a valid cause for deep concern across communities and social justice issues.)
But as concerning as this result is within the global climate movement, Tuesday also brought some encouraging results to our local movement for climate justice.
In Kent County races, commission candidates who responded to our Climate Voter questions prevailed in 56% of races.
In the Grand Rapids Mayor and City Commission races, all of the winning candidates completed our Climate Voter questions with strong responses—giving them a mandate to act on climate and giving us as residents power to hold them accountable to delivering on strong climate priorities.
Compared to the country overall, our local winners are climate-forward. Our signs and websites directed voters to consider and compare candidates’ environmental stances, the only such platform available to voters in Kent County and Grand Rapids. As a coalition, we can claim a role in these candidates’ success, proving that attention to the climate crisis is part of running a responsible bid for local elected office.
There will remain headwinds at the federal level. But as a movement, we can do a lot in our communities that directly affects us and our neighbors. The ability of cities and communities to implement policies and create change remains critical to a just transition worldwide. And we, as a movement of 96 member organizations and 1,000+ residents, are poised to keep pressing.
As we look ahead at our next strategic phase, we know we'll need everyone in this movement to keep courage and keep in community. And yes, also keep those reusable Climate Voter signs for 2026. But we have plenty to do in the meantime.
In solidarity,
Janet & Nate, coalition co-chairs