In a controversial move, the Kamala Harris campaign has appointed eco-activist Camila Thorndike as its climate engagement director, who has labeled Pennsylvania fracking "evil" and the fossil fuel industry a "death cult." Her radical stance raises doubts about the campaign's strategy in the crucial swing state, home to thousands of oil and gas workers.
In a move that signals a sharp shift in its approach to climate policy, the Kamala Harris campaign has sparked controversy by appointing outspoken activist Camila Thorndike as its climate engagement director. Thorndike, a former aide to Sen. Bernie Sanders, has drawn criticism for her radical views on the fossil fuel industry, labeling fracking in Pennsylvania as "evil" and the oil and gas sector a "death cult."
Thorndike’s appointment raises concerns about the Harris-Walz campaign’s strategy in critical swing states like Pennsylvania, where fracking supports tens of thousands of jobs. Her statements have been harsh, attacking not only fossil fuel companies but also those who work in the industry, calling them part of the “toxic patriarchy” and accusing them of “weaponizing” white supremacy against climate action.
“The only way to stop Trump’s Project 2025 from wrecking our progress and lives is to take action,” Thorndike stated last week, framing the race as a battle against fascism. While Harris has distanced herself from earlier positions supporting a ban on fracking in an effort to appeal to voters in Pennsylvania, her appointment of Thorndike sends a clear message about the direction her administration could take on climate policy.
Thorndike, who previously served as a senior director at Rewiring America, has a history of radical activism. She has described the fossil fuel industry’s impact on the planet as “ecoterrorism” and expressed fears about having children due to the ongoing environmental crisis. Her incendiary rhetoric has drawn fire from critics who argue that it alienates working-class voters in key battleground states.
This shift in the Harris campaign’s climate strategy, particularly with Thorndike at the helm, may signal that the campaign is giving up on winning Pennsylvania, a state pivotal to any path to the White House.
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