GP RELEASE Report on Green wins in Nov. elections

[Deirdre Helfferich]

Date: Wed, 9 Nov 2005 14:07:40 -0800 (PST)
Subject: GP RELEASE Report on Green wins in Nov. elections
GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES
http://www.gp.org
Wednesday, November 9, 2005
Scott McLarty, Media Coordinator, 202-518-5624,
Starlene Rankin, Media Coordinator, 916-995-3805,
Brent McMillan, Political Director, 202-319-7191,
GREENS CELEBRATE VARIOUS ELECTION VICTORIES
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- According to early election
returns, Greens have won at least 19 races in November
2005, bringing the number of Greens elected in 2005 to
34.
Out of eight races in which Green incumbents ran, six
won. Four out of five candidates running in
California were elected; 66 Greens now hold elected
office in this state. Pennsylvania reported the most
Green victories (eight) on November 8, with York
County counting the most county victories (four)
within the state. At least 115 Green candidates
competed for office across the U.S. on November 8.
The election of Cam Gordon to the Minneapolis City
Council and reelection of Annie Young to the
Recreation and Parks Board in Minnesota took the sting
off the defeat of incumbent Minneapolis Council
members Natalie Johnson Lee and Dean Zimmerman, who
were victims of a redistricting plan enacted by
Democrats for the purpose of removing Greens from
public office. There remains the possibility of a
recount in Mr. Zimmerman's race, since he lost by only
48 votes.
"In Minneapolis, Democrats did exactly what they
complain about Republicans doing in states like Texas
-- they redrew district lines as a strategem against
rival party candidates," said Marc Sanson, co-chair of
the Green Party of the United States. "Democrats
failed when they did this to unseat Maine legislator
John Eder in 2004. Whether Republicans or Democrats
do it, it's a dirty trick."
"We congratulate all our candidates for running, for
carrying the Green Party's message, and for moving us
closer to ultimate wins all around the U.S.," said
Rebecca Rotzler, co-chair of the national party and
elected Deputy Mayor of New Paltz, New York. "We look
forward to many more great races and new victories in
the 2006 midterm election."
Greens also congratulated and thanked Maine voters for
defeating a ballot initiative that would have repealed
the state's new law protecting lesbian, gay, bisexual
and transgender people from discrimination. They also
thanked voters in Takoma, Maryland, for passing a
measure to use instant runoff voting in local
elections (1192 votes for, 390 against), in an
election that used hand-counted paper ballots, thus
employing two election reforms promoted by the Green
Party.
For more details about Green candidates, visit the
2005 Green Campaign Highlights
http://www.gp.org/2005elections
Green Elections Database
http://www.greens.org/elections
Cam Gordon, City Council (Ward 2), Minneapolis,
Minnesota: After losing by 108 votes for the same seat
in 2001, Mr. Gordon won this year by 141 votes
(2481-2340).
Annie Young, Parks and Recreation Board (At Large),
Minneapolis: Ms. Young was re-elected to her fourth
term, her third as a Green.
Chuck Turner, City Council, Boston, Massachusetts: Mr.
Turner ran unopposed and won with 98.81% of the vote,
retaining a Green City Council seat in one of
America's largest cities.
James Brooks, City Commission, Brunswick (South Ward),
Glynn County, Georgia: Mr. Brooks became Georgia's
first Green officeholder, finishing first in a two-way
race with 58.9% of the vote.
Susan Hopkins, School Committee (At-Large), Portand,
Maine: Ms. Hopkins finished first among three
candidates and becomes the fourth Green on the nine
member Committee, joining Ben Meiklejohn, Stephen
Spring and Jason Toothaker. Portland also boasts the
only U.S. Green current state legislator, John Eder,
who was elected in 2002 and 2004, and Erek Gaines,
Portland Water District, amounting to six Greens
holding elected office.
Hilary Bradbury-Huang, Board of Trustees, Pasadena
City College, California. Ms. Bradbury-Huang finished
1st with 51.1% in a two way race against a
well-funded, long-term (28 years) Republican
incumbent, winning by 232 votes (5299-5067). Ms.
Bradbury Huang's campaign manager Sharon Gilpin,
previously managed the victories in the City Council
campaigns of Santa Monica Greens Mike Feinstein and
Kevin McKeown.
Jim Harvey, Sanitary District Board, Montara Water and
Sanitary District, San Mateo, California (incumbent)
Paul Perkovic, Water and Sanitary District Board,
Montara Water and Sanitary District, San Mateo,
California (incumbent)
Nicole Vigeant, Community Service Area, Tomales
Village, Marin, California (incumbent)
Hector Lopez, Constable, New Canaan, Fairfield County,
Connecticut
Mary Jo Long, Afton Town Council, Chenango County, New
York
Mathew Ash, Mayor, Boswell, Pennsylvania
Michael Morrill, Borough Council, West Reading
(Berks), Pennsylvania (incumbent)
Marty Qually, Borough Council (Ward 1), Adams,
Pennsylvania
Steve Baker, Inspector of Elections, Springettsbury
Township (York), Pennsylvania
Shawnya Calp, Inspector of Elections, Penn Township
(York), Pennsylvania
Mike Mangles, Inspector of Elections, York City
(York), Pennsylvania
Brenda Jo Samryk, Inspector of Elections, York
Township (York), Pennsylvania
Derf Maitland, Auditor, Union Township (Adams),
Pennsylvania
In an election held on November 1: Charlie Green,
School Board (District E), Fremont RE-3, Colorado
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 [phone]
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