Season 2, Episode 5 – Chris Lee
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Chris Lee represents Kailua, Waimanalo, and Hawaii Kai in the Hawaii State Senate. He currently serves as Chairman of the Committee on Transportation, and previously chaired the House Committee on the Judiciary and House Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection. He has authored laws making Hawaii the first state to commit to 100 percent renewable energy, a carbon negative economy by 2045, and eliminating all fossil fuels from ground transportation. He has worked to advance efforts on climate change and the electrification of transportation. Chris also serves as Vice President of the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators, and is a graduate of Oregon State University.
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How do we overcome the personal and industrial inertia that keeps our society stagnant? The answer according to today’s guest, Senator Chris Lee, is with wholesale change. Chris Lee is a State Senator in Hawaii and was the youngest member ever elected to the Hawaii State Legislature. He has authored laws making Hawaii the first state to commit to 100% renewable energy and a carbon negative economy by 2045.
In this episode, Ashley and Chris discuss how he became a legislator in the first place, what it takes to get elected, the health scare that changed the trajectory of his political career, his policy wins, why your vote actually does matter, how everyone can participate in the democratic process, and more. For anyone curious about what it’s really like to run for office and coalition build for real change, this episode is jam packed with helpful insights and practical advice.
