Amidst climate protests and calls for action locally and internationally, City Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty signs the No Fossil Fuel Money Pledge. The pledge asks candidates to not knowingly accept any contributions over $200 from the PACs, executives, or front groups of fossil fuel companies. Taking it one step further than the original pledge, Hardesty says she will not take any money from these groups.

“We need a city where every voice matters. Where our democracy works for everyone, and our government listens to all of us. Fossil fuel money corrupts that and elevates the voices of dirty energy at the expense of people’s health, the climate, and our democracy, something I will always reject,” says Hardesty.

From championing the Portland Clean Energy Fund, speaking with Portland youth at the Youth Climate Protest in front of City Hall, to more recently supporting community protests at Zenith Oil terminal, Commissioner Hardesty sees this pledge as a no-brainer.

“Big money has dominated our politics and I’ve long been vocal about changing that,” says Hardesty. “I ran on a platform of small donor campaign contributions, open and accountable elections, and climate justice initiatives here in the city, and I urge my colleagues and future candidates to do the same.”