Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) announced the association’s endorsement of U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich for reelection, due in large part to his tireless support for New Mexico’s public land and water and the state’s nearly $10 billion outdoor recreation economy, along with the 99,000 jobs it supports. OIA supported Senator Heinrich in his 2012 campaign and recognized him with the association’s OIA Friend of the Outdoor Industry Award in 2016 for his work on behalf of the outdoor industry.
“Senator Heinrich is not only a steadfast advocate for the recreation economy and a strong supporter of public lands and outdoor recreation, but he is also an avid outdoorsman, regularly hiking, hunting, fishing and otherwise enjoying New Mexico’s public lands and waters that he fights to protect,” said Amy Roberts, executive director of OIA. “We think his ability to work across the aisle while staying true to the values of the people of New Mexico makes him the best choice to continue to represent the state. We look forward to his reelection and continued support in Washington D.C.”
“I’m honored to receive OIA’s endorsement,” said Sen. Heinrich. “Outdoor recreation is an economic force in our state with so much potential for growth. Like so many New Mexicans, some of my best memories are from times spent outdoors with family and friends in our public lands. From the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks to the Sabinoso Wilderness, our public lands drive tourism and money into local–often rural–economies and create jobs. I won’t stop fighting to protect the places important to all of us for our children and future generations.”
Heinrich’s campaign released a 60-second campaign ad focusing on his strong record on public lands and outdoor recreation. See it here: youtu.be/WjCO2RKIyFE
OIA makes formal candidate endorsements after the OIA Board of Directors approves those endorsements. Stay tuned for more electoral-related announcements from OIA, including more about our “Vote the Outdoors” effort to provide our members with information to make voting decisions that support the $887 billion outdoor recreation economy. Visit the OIA Congressional Scorecard page to see your elected representatives’ grades, and be on the lookout for OIA’s 2018 Vote the Outdoors Voters Guide on October 1.
