A U.S. Senator, America’s wilderness, and critical Senate, House, and state races

This summer, I went on a 6-day white-water rafting trip in the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness in Idaho.  It was an extraordinary trip in one of the most beautiful, unspoiled, and inspiring places in our country.  Thankfully, there are many such places.

Frank Church served as Idaho’s U.S. Senator from 1957 to 1981. Among his many accomplishments, he sponsored the Wilderness Act, which now protects 109.5 million acres of federally owned land, including the wilderness area that bears his name. Senator Church also sponsored the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, which protects over 12,700 miles of 209 rivers in the U.S. and Puerto Rico, including the river on which we rafted.

One of the other rafters on the trip was from Minnesota.  When I asked how he liked his state’s governor (V.P. Nominee Tim Walz) he said he didn’t like him or any other politician, that he has never voted, and never will.  Later, I reminded him that the wilderness area and river we were enjoying were protected from development and spoilage by a visionary, courageous politician from a conservative state who represented his constituents’ values in the U.S. Senate for 24 years. The Minnesotan was unmoved. I was perturbed.

Participation in the electoral process is one of our most precious rights and responsibilities. Given that, it doesn’t seem right to enjoy the benefits of the work of bold politicians at all levels of government who create laws that reflect what we value, and not engage in the electoral process that enables them to serve.  In this upcoming election, I believe that each of us must “leave it all out on the field” to elect leaders who represent our values, our priorities, and our humanity.

That’s where you fit in.  Although our top priority in the upcoming election (in only 49 days) is the presidential race, that is not the only race that matters. If Trump wins – now a 50-50 proposition – the contests for control of the Senate and U.S. House of Representatives, as well as state legislatures and courts, may well determine whether we preserve our democracy and the rule of law, protect crucial rights – like reproductive choice and voting rights – meet the challenges posed by climate change, tackle gun violence, and foster a renewed commitment to the values of justice and equality that define us as a nation and a people.

As Abraham Lincoln said, “Elections belong to the people. It is their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they will just have to sit on their blisters.”