Outdoor Industry Association Endorses Maria Cantwell For U.S. Senate

Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) today announced its endorsement of U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell for re-election because she is a longtime champion of the outdoor industry and actively works to bolster Washington state’s $26.2 billion outdoor recreation economy and the 201,000 jobs it supports. Senator Cantwell was among the first to endorse and cite the outdoor recreation economy statistics in her policies and public actions and is one of the strongest defenders in Congress of public lands and water and outdoor recreation.

“Senator Cantwell is among OIA’s biggest champions, and Washington state cannot ask for a better defender of public lands and outdoor recreation,” said Amy Roberts, executive director of OIA. “We have admired her leadership to reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund, one of the most important conservation programs, and have been heartened by her defense of public land and water. Every time there is a threat to our nation’s natural heritage, Senator Cantwell is among the first to fight back, continually fighting to strengthen Washington’s $26.2 billion outdoor recreation economy and the public lands we use to bike, fish, camp and hike in. We look forward to continuing to work with Senator Cantwell after her re-election, both in Washington state and Washington, D.C.”

“Washington’s public lands and national parks are economic engines for local communities, supporting more than $26 billion in consumer spending and 201,000 direct jobs. That’s why I’ve fought so hard to stop the tripling of national park fees and to protect our public lands and coasts from being sold off for drilling and development,” said Cantwell. “Like many Washingtonians, I take every opportunity I can to get outside and enjoy our outdoor places. I’m honored to receive the endorsement of Outdoor Industry Association and will keep fighting to protect our public lands.”

OIA makes formal candidate endorsements after the OIA Board of Directors approves those endorsements.