A Rhode Island grassroots environmental organization has thrown its support behind Providence City Council member Sue AnderBois in the 2026 race for lieutenant governor, citing her record on clean energy and climate policy as the driving force behind the endorsement.
Climate Action Rhode Island announced its backing of AnderBois on Sunday, describing her as a candidate uniquely suited to the moment. The group previously endorsed her successful run for Providence City Council.
AnderBois is among several Democrats vying for the seat currently held by Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos, who is seeking reelection. Also running in the Democratic primary are Newport City Councilor and former mayor Xaykham “Xay” Khamsyvoravong and former state Sen. Cindy Coyne. The winner of the Sept. 8 primary will face the lone Republican challenger so far, former state Rep. John Loughlin, in the general election.
AnderBois brings a long resume in climate and energy work to the campaign. She launched the Solarize program for Rhode Island’s Office of Energy Resources in 2014 and spent years directing climate work across the Northeast for The Nature Conservancy. On the Providence City Council, she led passage of the Building Energy Reporting Ordinance, which helps building owners reduce energy use, and an ordinance requiring all municipal buildings to be carbon neutral by 2040.
“The climate crisis isn’t some distant threat; we are already seeing it in rising sea levels, more intense storms, and polluted air,” AnderBois said. “As lieutenant governor, I’ll not only fight to transition Rhode Island to a clean energy economy that supports good local jobs, but also ensure our communities and coastlines are resilient.”
International climate advocate Bill McKibben offered his support as well, noting the stakes in the current political environment.
“In the current moment, with the Trump administration trying to wreck the energy future for New England, we need to give her kind of vision a chance at a higher level,” McKibben said.
Justin Boyan, CARI’s vice president, said AnderBois earned unanimous support across the organization’s leadership, elections and politics teams.
“She has earned the unanimous support of CARI’s Statewide Elections Team, our Politics Team, our Leadership Team, and our Board,” Boyan said.
More information on AnderBois’ campaign is available at sueanderBois.com.