Western Values Project Action released the full poll from Washington’s 3rd district on public lands after announcing the launch of their PUBLIC (Protecting the USA’s Beautiful Lands in Congress) Lands Campaign earlier in the day on a press call.
The full poll is available here.
The poll reveals a strong disconnect on public lands between Rep. Walden and his constituents. Specifically, by an 18-point margin, Walden’s constituents oppose Trump’s recent orders to cut roughly two million acres from two national monuments in Utah (38% support/56% oppose, including 50% who are strongly opposed). Opposition to the executive orders is even higher now in the district than it was in a similar poll conducted in December (46% support/49% oppose).
“These numbers should give Representative Walden pause in his support of President Trump’s and Secretary Zinke’s attacks on our public lands,” said Chris Saeger, executive director of the Western Values Project Action. “Coming out against these bills would go a long way in his district.”
The latest ad asks that if Rep. Walden “truly supports public lands,” then he needs to come out against H.R. 4532 and H.R. 3990 – “two bills among many in Congress that would end protections of our national treasures.” H.R. 4532 would codify Trump’s reduction of Bears Ears National Monument and H.R. 3990 would eviscerate the Antiquities Act by allowing current and future Presidents to eliminate protections on public lands that were designated national monuments without congressional approval.
The ads will run in Rep. Walden’s district and prompt constituents to call his office seeking clarification on his positions.