Tipsheet

Patagonia Endorses Democrats in Two Key Midterm Elections

Outdoor clothing and gear company Patagonia Inc. on Friday endorsed Democrats in two key midterm elections. The company decided to back Rep. Jacky Rosen's in her challenge of Nevada Sen. Dean Heller (R) and Montana Sen. John Tester's (D) reelection bid.

“The company is endorsing candidates for the first time this year because of the urgent and unprecedented threats to our public lands and waters. Nevada and Montana are two states where Patagonia has significant company history and a long record of conservation accomplishments, and where the stakes are too high to stay silent,” the company said in a statement to The Hill.

Patagonia has a global distribution center with more than 650 employees in Nevada and an outlet store in Montana, which is why company leadership decided to endorse in these two particular races, CNN reported.

Ever sense President Trump took office, Patagonia has been fighting to protect public lands and the environment. The company donated its $10 million in Black Friday profits to environmental protection groups back in 2016. 

The company is dubbing Rosen and Tester as champions of public lands. They have specifically opposed Trump's decision to shrink the Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante national monuments in Utah. 

In addition to endorsing these two candidates, Patagonia's website features a "Midterms Elections 2018" tab that encourage visitors to vote. 

"Millions of Americans support public lands and are being ignored. To help save our democracy we need to elect leaders who listen," the website reads.

Users can also check to see if they're registered to vote.