As published in E&E News on October 4, 2018
The Republican-linked clean energy group Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions released its third round of House endorsements yesterday.
CRES, created in 2013, supports a working group in the House aiming to “build consensus among a geographically diverse set of Republicans.”
The newest round of endorsements includes Reps. Don Bacon of Nebraska, Mike Coffman of Colorado, John Faso of New York, Chuck Fleischmann of Tennessee, Garret Graves of Louisiana, John Katko of New York, Adam Kinzinger of Illinois, Leonard Lance of New Jersey, Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma, Francis Rooney of Florida, Mimi Walters of California, Kevin Yoder of Kansas, Ted Yoho of Florida and Lee Zeldin of New York.
The group also endorsed Dusty Johnson, the Republican candidate for South Dakota’s open at-large House seat. Rep. Kristi Noem (R) opted against re-election and is running for governor.
A few of the endorsed candidates represent key swing races and are top Democratic targets, including Coffman, Lance, Walters and Yoder.
CRES’s campaign finance filings show nearly $70,000 in independent expenditures backing William Timmons, who won the GOP nomination to replace retiring South Carolina Rep. Trey Gowdy in June. Other than its support for Timmons, campaign finance filings thus far show no other financial support for candidates by CRES during the midterm cycle.