www.gp.org
Thursday, November 9, 2006
Contacts:
Scott McLarty, Media Coordinator, 202-518-5624, mclarty@greens.org
Starlene Rankin, Media Coordinator, 916-995-3805, starlene@greens.org
Critical advances for Greens on Election Day 2006 lay foundation for 2008
*Greens win ballot status in Illinois, with gubernatorial candidate Rich Whitney's 11%, overcoming prohibitive ballot access rules, and in Nevada
*Strong antiwar vote in favor of warhawk Democrats shows a disconnect in U.S. politics; only Greens offered an antiwar platform; Greens warn that Democrats in Congress will do little to reverse Bush's foreign policy
*2006 Green Party election news and results: http://www.gp.org/2006elections
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Green Party leaders called the 2006 midterm election a small but important step forward for the party, preparing Greens for the 2008 presidential campaign.
According to initial returns, Greens won at least 35 races nationwide, with 18 wins in California, on November 7. Among the California victories is Gayle McLaughlin, who defeated the incumbent for Mayor of Richmond, the first city with more than 100,000 residents to have a Green mayor.
"The number of votes gained and the increased percentages in significant races show the party's steady growth," said Rebecca Rotzler, co-chair of the Green Party of the United States and Deputy Mayor of New Paltz, New York. "We maintained ballot access in most states where we already had it, and gained a key state, Illinois, thanks to Rich Whitney, who received 11% in his run for Governor."
Greens warned that antiwar voters may find themselves frustrated by Democrats in Congress during the next two years, especially on the war front.
"Some Green candidates running for Congress probably contributed to the defeat of Republicans," said Jim Coplen, co-chair of the national party. "While Democratic candidates offered weak criticism of Republicans on issues like the war in Iraq, Green candidates sharply criticized the war and other Bush policies. Ironically, outspoken Green criticism may have translated into votes for Democrats among voters who decided it was time to end Republican rule in Congress. Unfortunately, many of the winning Democrats, like Hillary Clinton [N.Y.] and Howard Berman [Calif.], support the war. They will only call for changes in military strategy in Iraq, they'll support President Bush's threats of an attack against Iran, and they'll maintain uncritical endorsement of Israel's murderous and illegal policies in regard to the Palestinian people."
Thumbnail reports on Green campaigns across the U.S.:
Green candidate Rich Whitney drew 11% (325,598 votes) for Governor in Illinois, achieving ballot status for the Green Party in preparation for the 2008 election. This is the first time a national third party has achieved ballot status in Illinois since 1920; Illinois has difficult ballot access rules and Gov. Rod Blagojevich spent $800,000 in taxpayers' money trying to keep Greens off the state ballot. http://www.whitneyforgov.org http://www.ilgp.org
Pat LaMarche, running on a strong universal health care platform, drew nearly 10% in her campaign for Governor of Maine. Ms. LaMarche, who qualified as a 'clean elections' candidate, competed with the incumbent Democrat and a former Democrat who had reregistered as an independent in order to run, as well as a Republican.
Also in Maine, the Green Independent Party won two seats on Portland City Council and maintained four seats on the city's School Committee, according to preliminary results. Maine Greens were disappointed in the defeat of John Eder, two term member of the Maine statehouse.
http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/news/local/061108portland.html
DC Statehood Greens won eight Advisory Neighborhood Commission races and easily kept its ballot line. The Statehood Green Party has replaced the Republican Party as Washington, D.C.'s second party in terms of electoral participation.
Joyce Robinson-Paul finished second out of two, receiving 14,109 votes for 14.7% in her race for D.C.'s U.S. Senate seat ('Shadow Senator'). Keith Ware finished second out of three in his race for U.S. Representative, beating the Republican. He received 12,533 votes for 12.7%.
Green candidate Tom Kelly, running for the U.S. House in Colorado's District 1, has received 25,096 votes for 21%. This is the highest percentage for a Green running for Congress this year.
Green candidate Malachy McCourt, running for Governor of New York, received 40,485 votes, missing the state's requirement of 50,000 votes in a presidential or gubernatorial race for ballot status. However, several other statewide candidates received over 50,000 votes, and New York Greens, led by senatorial candidate Howie Hawkins
Malachy McCourt for Governor/Alison Duncan for Lt. Governor: 40,351 votes (0.97%)
Rachel Treichler for Attorney General: 57,564 votes (1.43%)
Julia Willebrand for Comptroller: 108,030 votes (2.82%)
Howie Hawkins for U.S. Senate: 51,538 votes (1.22%)
Green candidate Gayle McLaughlin
Also in California, incumbent City Council member Larry Robinson was reelected in Sebastopol, retaining the Council's Green majority, in place since 2000
In U.S. Senate races, Todd Chretien (California) drew over 110,000 votes (some precincts still haven't reported), more than any other Green senatorial candidate. In Pennsylvania's 15th District, Greta Brown drew 31,443 votes, the most of any Green candidate for the U.S. House. 14 Greens ran for the Senate, 42 for the House.
The Massachusetts Green-Rainbow Party needed 3% in a statewide vote to maintain ballot status. Dr. Jill Stein, running for Secretary of the Commonwealth, accomplished this by receiving 351,495 votes (the most votes for any Green candidate on November 7) for 18% in a two way race. Jamie O'Keefe, running for State Treasure, also had a high enough vote percentage to accomplish this. He received 16% (322,493 votes).
The following state Green Parties appear to have lost ballot status in the 2006 election: Alaska, Connecticut, and Maryland. However, these parties have sufficient infrastructure to collect petition signatures and place candidates on the ballot in 2008 and are likely to regain ballot status.
8.7 million voters across the U.S. voted for withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq and for impeachment resolutions on local and state ballots that were promoted or supported by Greens. Troop withdrawal initiatives won in all ten localities in Wisconsin, including Milwaukee, and all 11 communities in Illinois, including Chicago. Of 139 cities and towns in Massachusetts voting on the troop withdrawal measures, only a handful voted nay on initiatives demanding that Congress and the White House end the war immediately. In California, San Francisco voters supported a local impeachment measure by 59.41%. In Berkeley, a similar resolution won the support of 68.56% of the electorate. Greens supported and led the initiative campaigns; in April, 24 of 32 communities voted in support of the 'Troops Home Now' resolutions that were promoted by Greens. (More information:
"Tuesday's vote represents more of a defeat for Republicans and the Bush agenda than a victory for Americans who oppose the war on Iraq," said Liz Arnone, co-chair of the Green Party of the United States. "Only the Green Party offered a real antiwar platform, calling for immediate withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq. The danger now is that Democrats in Congress will ignore the will of the American people, according to numerous polls and voters' initiatives, and keep U.S. troops in Iraq while only criticizing the Bush Administration on strategic grounds. A lot of antiwar votes may prove to have been wasted on November 7."
MORE INFORMATION
Green Party of the United States
http://www.gp.org
1700 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 404
Washington, DC 20009.
202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN
Fax 202-319-7193
Green campaign listings, news, photos, and web sites http://www.gp.org/2006elections
Database of 2006 Green candidates http://www.greens.org/elections
Video clips of Green candidates http://www.gp.org/2006elections/media.shtml
Green Party News Center http://www.gp.org/newscenter.shtml
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Greens on a Winning Streak in DC –
Look to 2007 City Council Win.
Election Day Wins
In the nation's capitol, the DC Statehood Green Party won eight of 17 races on November 7—a win rate of 47%. The newly-elected and re-elected Statehood Greens will serve as Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners, serving about 2,000 constituents each.
Nancy Shia, a 30-year resident and longtime activist in the progressive and diverse Adams Morgan neighborhood, greeted voters at her precinct from 7 am to 8 pm, as were her two competitors (the second-place finisher is a Democrat and recent graduate of Harvard's Kennedy School of Government). "I worked harder than they did. My issues were bicycle safety and curbside recycling--those are Green issues. I tried as hard as I could to meet all the people and to make it a serious grassroots candidacy." Shia won her race with 57% of the vote.
In addition to building a bench of qualified Statehood Green politicians, the Statehood Greens emerged as DC's second party in terms of electoral participation, replacing the Republicans. This was the largest slate Statehood Greens ever ran, with 18 candidates.
Citywide, Joyce Robinson-Paul finished second out of two, receiving over 14,000 votes (14.7%) in her race for DC's Senate seat (usually called the "Shadow Senator," without voting privileges). Keith Ware placed second out of three in his bid for US Representative, with more than 12,500 votes (12.7%) beating the Republican candidate. Ann Wilcox (a former elected member of the Board of Education) easily secured the ballot line with 11,444 votes (7,500 were needed). Other notable races included ANC commissioner Marc Borbely's bid for School Board (he finished 2nd out of 5, with 19%), Chris Otten for Mayor (3rd out of 3, with 4%), and Laurent Ross for Board of Education President (4th out of 5, with 5%).
Renee Bowser Ward 4’s Next City Councilor
On Friday, November 10th Renee Bowser held a press conference at Rudolph Elementary School to declare her intention to run in the special election for DC Ward 4 City Council, a seat which will be vacated by DC’s incoming mayor Adrian Fenty. The special election provides a great opportunity for the DCSGP. Since there is no primary, Renee will compete head to head with a field of Democrat and Republican opponents.
Renee Bowser, an attorney for the United Food and Commercial Workers, has already received the endorsement of UFCW Local 400, and from the president and vice-president of AFGE Local 12 officials. Renee plans to make public education, the living wage, and constituent services her top issues in office.
Green Candidates Reflect
The Green Party won 65 races this year. This is a remarkable achievement, given unparalleled levels of negative campaigning against Greens. Our candidates ran great campaigns. Even though many of them did not win, they all have a lot to be proud of. We want to give you a chance to hear from a few of the candidates we’ve profiled over the last few months. And; what they feel their campaigns have achieved:
Rae Vogler, US Senate WI
Cindy Sheehan endorses Rae, saying "We need to vote for candidates calling for peace"
“Everywhere I went, I found people are ready for change. Everyday folks on the ground, those who are not necessarily politically involved or tied to a party affiliation, understand that our government is NOT representing us, but is instead representing corporate interests - the big money oil lobby, the defense contractors, the pharmaceutical industry, and the credit card companies. People know what they want - they want a government that stands up for their interests. They want candidates that speak for them. They want:
The message of this campaign resonated across the state. Over and over I had people come up to me and say "I agree with you. I like what you have to say." And the very next words out of their mouth were "How come I haven't heard of you before?"
I call on you to carry the torch of this campaign forward. The tide is turning for progressive change and we are a part of that tide. Please commit yourself to keep up the struggle. Together we will win!
Pat LaMarche, Governor ME
Roy Ulrickson spoke at the election night celebration of Pat LaMarche, "No matter what the outcome is tonight, it will still be historic. No longer can media marginalize the Green Party. No longer can Democrats continue with bad politics as usual. No longer can the Republicans continue to drive their party to the radical right. No longer can either party take your vote for granted.... Tonight will be historic because all of you have made history. Every door knocked, every street corner signed, every call made was a part of this history. You have helped Pat inspire thousand of voters and change the political landscape of Maine. You have helped Pat spread a messsage of hope and prosperity..."
Despite some tough losses, the Maine Independent Green Party has a net gain of two office holders in Tuesday's elections. Greens Kevin Donaghue and David Marshall gained 2 seats on Portland's City Council. In addition Rebecca Minnick won the District 1 seat on the school committee in Portland.
Malachy McCourt, Governor NY and Allison Duncan, Lieutenant Governor NY
Although NY Green Governor Candidate Malachy McCourt came just shy of the 50,000 votes needed to secure ballot status, his campaign energized and inspired us all to stand up for what we believe in, and have fun doing it. Malachy’s running mate, Allison Duncan, reflected on the outcome of the election:
“New Yorkers clearly choose the Green Party as New York’s third party,” said Alison Duncan, Green Party candidate for Lieutenant Governor. “Julia Willebrand, candidate for comptroller, was the standout with 108,030 votes, more than any Green Party candidate for statewide office in New York has ever gotten. Those votes clearly demonstrate that when voters need a choice on the ballot they choose Green.
The fact that three candidates got over 50,000 votes gives the Green Party the opportunity for a legal challenge to NY’s ballot access law, which says that the 50,000 votes for ballot access must be on the Governor’s line.
“When corporate and PAC money determines the outcome of elections we do not have a democracy,” said Duncan. “This government will not be a servant of the voters. We are determined to continue the fight — legally, electorally, and legislatively to put a party that is not beholden to corporate and PAC interests — the Green Party — on the ballot and into power.”
Are you a blogger or webmaster? Add an anti-war banner ad to your page!
The Green Party has a dynamic new WEB BANNER AD that can be placed on Green Party state/local websites, blogs, or personal homepages to point viewers to www.GP.org. The anti-war message and clean Green design appeals to a wide audience: "Americans know the war in Iraq was based on lies...Bring the troops home now! Only one U.S. political party calls for the end of military involvement in Iraq...Find out how you can get active with the nation's only true peace party."
You can get the code here: http://www.gp.org/committees/ou treach/materials.shtml.
Green Party Earthflower Sweatshirt.
Keep warm at the polls on election day with a Green Party Hooded Sweatshirt! The Earthflower sweatshirt is Oxford Gray, the Kelly Green Sweatshirt has white lettering.
Union Made and Sweatshop free in 80% cotton/20% poly, front pocket. $37.50 including shipping.
Green Party online shopping just got easier! To Order: online store.
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