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
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Cindy
Sheehan endorses Rae, saying "We need to vote for candidates calling for
peace"
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"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:
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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
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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..."
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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:
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"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.
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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."
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