Ocean Champions is the only political voice for ocean health. We take a non-partisan approach in working with
the U.S. Congress to ensure ocean health through electoral and legislative action.

Linda Ketner: The New Face of Ocean Leadership

Ocean Champions continues to cultivate the next generation of ocean leadership with our hearty endorsement of Linda Ketner for the U.S. House. Currently, this seat is held by ocean enemy, Rep. Henry Brown , 1st district of South Carolina.

As you may know, Rep. Brown is the ranking member on the Natural Resources Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife and Oceans. As the ranking member, he has never earned more than an 8% rating from the League of Conservation Voters. Brown actively and aggressively opposed Oceans-21 legislation, and asked others in his party to oppose it, while Reps. Gilchrest and Saxton (also Republicans) strongly supported it. He has a record of opposing strong ocean legislation, which makes him a prime target for defeat.

A recent example of Brown's anti-ocean approach was his introduction of legislation removing the current protected zone of Capt. Sam's Inlet, a special zone at the southwestern end of Kiawah Island, off the South Carolina coast. Fortunately, we have a strong alternative to Brown and that is Linda Ketner. Linda is pushing back, "removing the land on Capt. Sam's Inlet would not enhance the ecological value of the area required by federal law and would instead encourage the area's development by making future homes eligible for federal flood insurance."

Linda Ketner has earned a reputation as a pragmatic and bi-partisan problem solver. She plans to take the steps necessary to improve our waterways and environment, in her own words:

"Now is the time for energy independence and freedom from the political, military and polluting consequences of it. Now is the time to reduce our carbon emissions and improve the quality of our air and water, as well as reduce the impact of the greenhouse effect. Our coastline is what makes South Carolina so special to everyone who lives here and our hospitality industry depends on it. In Congress I look forward to advocating on behalf of our coastal communities and the oceans themselves."

24 October 2008, 7:00 pm