blueribbon coalition recaps election successes

For the 2002 elections, the goal of the BlueRibbon Coalition Political Action Committee was to help elect a pro-access majority to the House of Representatives and US Senate. With the support of hundreds of donations to the BRC PAC from across this country, the mission was accomplished.

In past elections, candidates for federal office who shared our land values often had to face the Big Green Money Machine without significant fiscal support from the recreation community. That fact, combined with the reality that you vote does count, is why the bipartisan BRC PAC was formed in 2001. BRC PAC is completely segregated from the BlueRibbon Coalition in accordance with federal laws.

Rather than just giving to "safe" incumbents, the BRC PAC keyed on mostly open and challenged seats where we, the recreation voter, might have the greatest impact. Overall, the BRC PAC was involved in approximately 40 races for pro-access Democrats and Republicans. Listed below were our targeted candidates.

The BRC PAC's top US Senate priorities were: Coleman (MN), Allard (CO), Sununu (NH), Talent (MO) and Hutchinson (AR). Here we went 4 for 5.
For the House of Representatives our key races were: Michaud (ME), Porter (NV), Kline (MN), Harris (FL), Wilson (NM), Swallow (UT), Renzi (AZ), Musgrave (CO)Lynette-Boggs McDonald (NV), Chocola (IN) and Monteith (CA). Here we scored 9 for 12.

The access victories in this election are a tribute to those who contributed to the BRC PAC and those who actively worked on campaigns by walking precincts, phone banking or mailing fliers. It also shows the political process has a new player: the recreation voter.