March 9, 2022

PHILADELPHIA — Today, 314 Action Fund announced its endorsement of Eric Sorensen in the race to represent Illinois’ seventeenth congressional district. Sorensen is a former meteorologist for WREX Rockford and WQAD Quad Cities, which both serve communities in IL-17.

After redistricting, IL-17 has proven one of the most competitive congressional races ahead of the 2022 midterm elections. In late February, Cook Political Report and Sabato’s Crystal Ball rated the race a toss-up, and Inside Elections rated the race as tilting Democratic. A January poll, which was conducted by Public Policy Polling on behalf of 314 Action Fund, showed Sorensen leading the primary field and with leads in net favorability (+18%) and name recognition (+6%). The poll also shows widespread trust among IL-17 voters in a meteorologist to represent them in Congress and address the climate crisis, a top policy issue for poll respondents.

“For twenty years, Illinoisans welcomed Eric Sorensen into their home every evening as their meteorologist, a trusted member of their community,” said Shaughnessy Naughton, president of 314 Action. “The people of this district know they can rely on Eric to tackle challenges facing Illinois families, from the climate crisis and the need for sustainable jobs to ensuring that high-quality, affordable health care access is available to everyone.”

“To me, being a meteorologist has always been about protecting our communities and keeping people safe. I’m running for Congress because the people of Northwest and Central Illinois need a representative they know and trust,” said Eric Sorensen, candidate for Illinois’ seventeenth congressional district. “I’m honored to be endorsed by 314 Action, an organization dedicated to promoting science leadership.”

314 Action recently launched a $10 million, cycle-long advocacy campaign focused on engaging voters on critical science issues — including climate change, health care, and the pandemic response — and holding anti-science public figures accountable. Additionally, 314 Action has engaged its base of six million grassroots members to push for pro-science legislation at the federal and state levels.

ABOUT ERIC SORENSEN:

Eric Sorensen is a former meteorologist born and raised in Rockford, IL running for U.S. Congress. He spent 11 years delivering the weather at WREX in Rockford and 7 years at WQAD in the Quad Cities. He’s seen firsthand the importance of establishing trust with the community, and he’s determined to use his expertise as a climate communicator to fight for Illinoisans on environmental justice and more in Washington.

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314 Action Fund is powered by a grassroots community of over six million people working to elect scientists, doctors, and STEM professionals who will use science and facts to address our most pressing issues like climate change and health care. In 2018 and 2020, we played a pivotal role in flipping the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, electing eleven Democratic scientists to federal office, as well as in helping over 100 statewide, state legislative, and municipal candidates win their races. In 2022, 314 Action Fund will continue working to elect science leaders and defeat climate deniers in Congress and legislatures across the country.