Fastest Warming Congressional Districts Where Politician is Funded by Fossil Fuel Industry

The midterm elections are less than a month away, and 35 seats in the U.S. Senate, as well as all 435 seats in the House of Representatives, will be on the ballot. While climate change is not as big an issue for voters this year as the economy or healthcare, it remains very much in the political conversation. According to a recent survey conducted by the Pew Research Center, 41% of registered voters say the environment and climate policy are “very important” to their vote next month.

But like many issues in American politics, views on climate change are highly polarized along partisan lines. The same Pew poll found that only 15% of registered Republicans see climate and the environment as very important, compared to 66% of registered Democrats. While Republicans may be less likely to vote based on environmental considerations, deep red districts are no less susceptible to climate hazards than Democratic districts. 

According to a recent study conducted by the non-profit research and advocacy group Climate Central, all 435 U.S. congressional districts are warmer now than they were in 1970, with the average temperature rising by about 2.8°F. Notably, the fossil fuel industry has gained influence on Capital Hill, contributing tens of millions of dollars to sitting members of congress. Many of these same lawmakers represent communities where climate change is driving temperatures up far faster than average. 

Using data from Climate Central, Climate Crisis 247 identified the fastest warming congressional districts where elected representatives are receiving the most from the fossil fuel industry. We reviewed data on the 10 members of congress who have received the most in lifetime donations from oil and gas companies, and ranked the districts they represent on average temperature increases between 1970 and 2025. All data on political contributions from the fossil fuel industry are from the Center for American Progress. Data on average temperature change is from Climate Central. 

10. Louisiana’s 1st Congressional District

• Observed warming in district, 1970-2025: +2.1°F (84% due to climate change)
• Estimated warming absent human-caused climate change: +0.3°F
• Congressional representative: Rep. Steve Scalise (R)
• Political contributions received from the fossil fuel industry: $2.7 million

9. Montana’s 1st Congressional District

• Observed warming in district, 1970-2025: +2.4°F (106% due to climate change)
• Estimated warming absent human-caused climate change: +-0.1°F
• Congressional representative: Rep. Ryan Zinke (R)
• Political contributions received from the fossil fuel industry: $1.0 million

8. Virginia’s 9th Congressional District

• Observed warming in district, 1970-2025: +2.6°F (90% due to climate change)
• Estimated warming absent human-caused climate change: +0.3°F
• Congressional representative: Rep. Morgan Griffith (R)
• Political contributions received from the fossil fuel industry: $ 625,606 

7. Texas’ 14th Congressional District

• Observed warming in district, 1970-2025: +2.7°F (77% due to climate change)
• Estimated warming absent human-caused climate change: +0.6°F
• Congressional representative: Rep. Randy K. Weber, Sr. (R)
• Political contributions received from the fossil fuel industry: $ 591,103 

6. Missouri’s 8th Congressional District

• Observed warming in district, 1970-2025: +2.8°F (83% due to climate change)
• Estimated warming absent human-caused climate change: +0.5°F
• Congressional representative: Rep. Jason Smith (R)
• Political contributions received from the fossil fuel industry: $ 583,077 

5. Oklahoma’s 1st Congressional District

• Observed warming in district, 1970-2025: +2.8°F (90% due to climate change)
• Estimated warming absent human-caused climate change: +0.3°F
• Congressional representative: Rep. Kevin Hern (R)
• Political contributions received from the fossil fuel industry: $ 638,737 

4. Pennsylvania’s 16th Congressional District

• Observed warming in district, 1970-2025: +3.1°F (86% due to climate change)
• Estimated warming absent human-caused climate change: +0.4°F
• Congressional representative: Rep. Mike Kelly (R)
• Political contributions received from the fossil fuel industry: $ 714,888 

3. Louisiana’s 4th Congressional District

• Observed warming in district, 1970-2025: +3.2°F (73% due to climate change)
• Estimated warming absent human-caused climate change: +0.9°F
• Congressional representative: Rep. Mike Johnson (R)
• Political contributions received from the fossil fuel industry: $ 812,622 

2. Texas’ 21st Congressional District

• Observed warming in district, 1970-2025: +3.4°F (68% due to climate change)
• Estimated warming absent human-caused climate change: +1.1°F
• Congressional representative: Rep. Chip Roy (R)
• Political contributions received from the fossil fuel industry: $ 671,905 

1. Texas’ 19th Congressional District

• Observed warming in district, 1970-2025: +3.5°F (74% due to climate change)
• Estimated warming absent human-caused climate change: +0.9°F
• Congressional representative: Rep. Jodey Arrington (R)
• Political contributions received from the fossil fuel industry: $ 734,820