U.S. Rep. John Salazar, a Blue Dog Democrat in Colorado’s sprawling and largely rural 3rd Congressional District who conceded to Republican Scott Tipton earlier today, may have actually hurt himself by not voting in favor of climate change legislation last year.
An analysis of key U.S. Houses races in Tuesday’s midterm election conducted by the grassroots environmental group 1sky.org found that Democrats who voted against the ASES (American Clean Energy and Security Act) climate bill were three times more likely to lose Tuesday night. In fact, 80 percent of House Democrats who voted for the climate bill last year won their races.
Salazar, a farmer from southern Colorado, consistently voted against energy and climate reform bills, including this year’s CLEAR Act aimed at preventing on- and offshore oil spills.
He also initially supported Colorado Democrat Diana DeGette’s FRAC Act, which was designed to provide more accountability and transparency in natural gas drilling, but he later opposed the effort despite polling showing overwhelming support in his district.
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