The New Jersey Sierra Club has endorsed three Democrats seeking Assembly seats in Burlington County legislative districts.
The organization announced its Assembly endorsements Wednesday morning, offering support for 32 candidates, including 24 Democrats and eight Republicans.
Among those endorsed are incumbent 7th District Assemblymen Herb Conaway, of Delanco, and Jack Conners, of Pennsauken, and Democrat John Kocubinski, of North Hanover.
Kocubinski and Jackson resident William Spedding are running against incumbent GOP Assemblymen Robert Malone, of Bordentown City and Ronald Dancer, of Plumsted in the 30th District.
Conners and Conaway are being challenged by Republicans Leah Arter, of Beverly, and Harry Adams, of Westampton.
The Trenton-based New Jersey Sierra Club has about 23,000 members, making it one of the largest and most influential environmental groups in the state. The organization also is part of the national Sierra Club.
"The Sierra Club endorsement is like the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval," Director Jeff Tittel said. "It's the green seal of approval showing that the candidates care about the environment."
The organization did not endorse candidates in the county's other legislative districts.
Last month, the club endorsed independent gubernatorial candidate Christopher Daggett over Democratic Gov. Jon S. Corzine and former U.S. Attorney Chris Christie, a Republican.
"With uncontrolled sprawl, water quality problems and air quality problems - as well as other environmental issues - it's more important than ever for voters to make their voices heard at the polls regarding the environment," said Richard Isaac, the Sierra Club political chairman.
All three Burlington County candidates said they appreciated the organization's support.
"We are honored to be recognized for our commitment of preserving New Jersey's diminishing open spaces and farmland," said Conaway. "Having the support of the Sierra Club is crucial to our efforts ensuring future generations of New Jerseyans have clean air to breathe and clean water to drink."
Conners said he and Conaway would continue to work on maintaining the state's open spaces.
"There are so many beautiful places," he said. "We want to preserve as many of those farms as we can. We want to preserve land for recreation because if we don't, one day everything will be taken over by blacktops and buildings."
Kocubinski noted the county's farming communities and how the trade is a way of life for many families in his district. He too shared a commitment to preserving open space.
"This effort will continue to restrict unnecessary development, protecting water quality and conserving land, in particular our farmland, which provides a foundation for a strong economy," he said.