SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Progressive firebrand Jane Fonda - now 86 years old - spent the weekend knocking on doors and rallying Democrats in east Phoenix.
Fonda, the actress known for decades of protests and climate activism, held a fundraiser Friday night in legislative District 4. She then joined volunteers Saturday where Democrats are trying to get a trio of candidates elected.
“If we’re not going to be able to stabilize our climate, we can’t do anything else,” Fonda told an audience of volunteers Saturday before canvassing. “It’s time to flip Arizona.”
The swing district includes east Phoenix, Paradise Valley and Scottsdale.
Democrats Kelli Butler and Karen Gresham are running for the State House. Christine Marsh is running for the Senate.
“Having a majority in at least one, or both chambers could transform our state,” Butler said. “We would have different priorities focused on public education and climate change.”
Republicans running in the House race are Pamela Carter and Matt Gress. The Senate candidate is Carine Werner.
Historically, Republicans have taken a hands-off approach to climate policies.
An analysis by the Arizona Republic of legislative bills related to water, climate pollution and the environment over the past two years found environmental advocates supported 25 bills. One became law.
“We can’t run our economy off a cliff to try to stop something that may not be in control of Arizona,” Gress said.
Gress says he acknowledges the science of human-caused climate change, unlike other Republican lawmakers.
If the Democrats flip the legislature, a list of proposals related to green energy, land use and water restrictions would likely get committee hearings for the first time.
“We feel like we have momentum to make it happen,” Butler said.
In 2022 the Republican majority passed a law to eliminate future competition in the state’s electricity market, blocking the bid by an all-renewable utility to compete with the state’s established power companies. Climate scientist Andrew Dessler of Texas A&M says those kinds of laws are being passed by Republicans as renewables threaten the fossil fuel industry.
“If you look across the U.S. you will see policymakers and officials passing laws that will enrich and lock-in fossil fuels,” Dessler said.
Utilities SRP and APS supported the law, saying it would ensure grid reliability.
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