GP RELEASE Green candidates to watch on Nov. 8

[Deirdre Helfferich]

GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES
http://www.gp.org
Monday, November 7, 2005
GREEN CANDIDATES TO WATCH IN THE NOV. 8 ELECTION
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- 116 Green Party candidates are running for
office throughout the U.S. in the November 8, 2005 off-year
election. Below is a summary of notable races in New York, Georgia,
Maine, and Minnesota.
Some Green Party candidates have faced intense and desperate
measures by Democrats and Republicans to remove them from the
ballot, discredit their campaigns, or weaken their support through
redistricting. But many Greens have also received unprecedented
endorsements and matching funds in their races for public office.
Pennsylvania is the state with the most Green candidates (29) in
2005. In all of 2005, 174 Greens have competed for public office
throughout the U.S. Currently, 224 Greens hold office.
2005 Green Campaign Highlights http://www.gp.org/2005elections
Green Elections Database http://www.greens.org/elections
NEW YORK
Gloria Mattera's <http://www.electgloria.org> Green campaign for
Brooklyn Borough President qualified for 4 to 1 matching funds from
New York City's Campaign Finance program.
"I am proud to be the first Green Party candidate eligible for
matching funds for this office," said Ms. Mattera. "This
demonstrates tremendous support for our campaign from city residents
who are tired of watching [incumbent] Marty Markowitz act as a
doormat for Bruce Ratner and other developers who want to take over
our city. The Campaign Finance Program levels the playing field for
candidates such as myself who do not accept corporate campaign
contributions, and is a wonderful tool in support of grass roots
democracy."
Ms. Mattera and other Brooklyn Greens have worked with local
activists in the Develop Don't Destroy Brooklyn Coalition to head
off an attempt by billionaire developer Bruce Ratner to seize homes
and businesses to build a sports arena and luxury condominiums. Ms.
Mattera is challenging the plan and has publicly exposed secret
deals between Mr. Markowitz and Mr. Ratner. Ms. Mattera calls for a
moratorium on big scale development of high rises and big box stores
until developers agree to involve the community in decision-making
and commit to maintaining the integrity of existing neighborhoods.
Audio and video of Ms. Mattera's campaign ads and public appearances
can be downloaded at <http://electgloria.org/press.php>.
Robyn Sklar <http://www.sklarforcouncil.com>, candidate for New York
City Council in Queens, also received matching funds of about
$27,000, a first for a Green running in New York. On November 6, the
Sklar campaign had 150 volunteers distributing water to runners in
the New York City Marathon and handing out flyers to the public.
Alice Green <http://nys.greens.org/alicegreen>, candidate for Mayor
of Albany, has been endorsed by the Fannie Lou Hamer Political
Action Committee and by NOW. On October 28, Ms. Green urged the
city to use its cable franchise agreement to promote democracy and
community media, and said that she supports requiring the city's
agreement with Times Warner to include the establishment of a
community media center where local residents can produce and air
their own television shows.
On October 14, Ms. Green, who is African American, criticized the
police department for not releasing three years' worth of data on
traffic stops meant to show whether Afican Americans and other
ethnic groups are unfairly targeted. "While the department has made
great strides by becoming more professional and cooperative with
community leaders, it remains a closed and reactive body that relies
too heavily on racial and ethnic stereotyping in its work," she said.
Syracuse Green candidates <http://www.syracusegreens.org> Howie
Hawkins for Mayor, Gary Bonaparte for 2nd District Councilor, David
Linton for 17th District Legislator, and Cosmo Fanizzi for 16th
District Legislator are offering an alternative, Sustainable
Syracuse <http://www.syracusegreens.org/archives/000247.html>, to a
corporate-welfare mall-building boondoggle called Destiny USA, which
is backed by local Democrats and Republicans.
GEORGIA
Greens condemned a court decision upholding the removal of Elaine
Brown <http://www.elainebrown.org> from the ballot and from voter
rolls in the November 8 election for Mayor of Brunswick, and charged
that Ms. Brown's disqualification by challengers was an attempt to
crush the right of Brunswick's African American majority to vote for
someone who represents their interests. Ms. Brown, a leader of the
Black Panther Party in the 1970s, is continuing to appeal the
decision by the Glynn County Board of Elections. For more
information, read Green Party press releases issued November 4
<http://www.gp.org/press/pr_2005_11_04.shtml> and October 19
<http://www.gp.org/press/pr_2005_10_19.shtml>. Contact: Anita
Collins
MAINE
Carol Schiller, candidate for the At Large seat on Portland City
Council (the first Green to run for Council in Portland), has been
endorsed by the League of Pissed Off Voters. Ms. Schiller, a
prominent local civic activist, brought Planned Parenthood to Maine,
initiated and organized the University Neighborhood Organization,
founded the Greater Portland Neighborhoods Coalition, served as
President of the Woodfords-Oakdale Neighborhood Association, and is
a mother, former art educator, and arts advocate. She faces two
opponents in a town where the Maine Green Independent Party has
become a strong political force, with three candidates elected to
the school board and John Eder in the state legislature.
Susan Hopkins is running for Portland School Committee, hoping to
join current Green School Committee member Ben Meiklejohn, with whom
Hopkins has been working on a policy that would limit military
recruiters in Portland high schools.
MINNESOTA
Natalie Johnson Lee <http://www.nataliejohnsonlee.com> and Dean
Zimmerman <http://www.votedeanzimmermann.org>, incumbent candidates
for Minneapolis City Council (Wards 5 and 6, respectively), have
dealt with intense and desperate tactics by Democrats to weaken the
strong Green political insurgence in Minneapolis, including recent
gerrymandering of district lines to divide votes for Green.
(Democrats have denounced this tactic when used as a weapon against
them by Republicans in states like Texas.)
Greens, however, are confident that Lee's and Zimmerman's popularity
and accomplishments on Council so far will lead to another pair of
wins on Election Day.
Cam Gordon <http://www.camgordon.org>, who is also running for
Minneapolis City Council (Ward 2), received endorsements from the
Minneapolis Star Tribune and from Gente de Minnesota. Mr. Gordon
earned more than 37% in the primary vote, where he faced four other
contenders.
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]
Coordinated Campaign Committee of the Green Party
http://www.gp.org/committees/campaign/
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