Green Party Watch

Municipal Elections were held in Chicago Tuesday, in a low turnout primary election where if no candidate gets 50% of the vote there is a run off election. Two Greens were on the ballot, both losing in the primary.

In the 12th Ward, Alberto Bocanegra, Jr. came in 4th of 5 candidates, finishing with 321 votes (6.63%).

In the 47th Ward, Matt Reichel finished 3rd of 4 candidates with 605 votes (3.21%).

In a statement on Facebook, Bocanegra said: “Unfortunately we didn’t get the outcome we expected. People are so disgusted with politicians that they refused to come out and vote.”

WCT: What does it mean/matter that you are endorsed by the Green Party?

Matt Reichel: This is significant because the 47th Ward has been one of the top performing wards for the Green Party going back to [Ralph] Nader’s presidential run in 2000. There has always been a strong progressive and independent streak to this community, and so this would be a fitting place to elect the city’s first Green alderman. If elected, our ward organization will be converted into a coalition of community groups, oriented on civic service. We will not exist purely as a means of electing machine Democrats to higher office, as is currently the case. As such, a victory for me will be more than a victory for the Green Party; it will be a victory for all working people of the 47th Ward.

Matt Reichel is running for Alderman in Chicago’s 47th Ward. Read the entire interview here.

Alberto Bocanegra, Jr., Chair of the Cook County Greens, has apparently raised over $50,000 in his campaign for the 12th Ward Alderman in Chicago against incumbent George Cardenas and 3 other challengers. Cardenas has raised over $135,000 according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

From his website:

12th Ward Committeeman Alberto Bocanegra, Jr. was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, and is a Native son of the 12 ward. Alberto graduated Shield Elementary, located in the 12th ward, and Curie High School. He also attended Fox College.

By the time Alberto was 20 years of age, he opened a successful Labor Employment Agency where he employed over 2,000 people every day. Throughout his business career Bocanegra demonstrated care and concern for people. His revolutionary policy of providing free transportation to job sites encouraged the city council to entertain an ordinance codifying a similar idea.

Alberto is a proud member of the organization that made the March 10th Immigration and May Day mega marches possible. He was featured on newscasts seen worldwide as he confronted Minutemen organizers. As the Chairman of the Cook County Green Party, Bocanegra has fought against corruption and injustice in all parts of the city. Alberto has fought hard for affordable housing, particularly in the 12th ward. Active supporter of F.A.D Families Against Drugs where he received a Certificate of Appreciation in recognition of many selfless hours spent working to improve Brighton Park.

There was a candidate forum for the open 47th Ward seat in Chicago last night but no press about it today. Matt Reichel, one of 4 candidates seeking the open seat, claimed victory:

Reichel emerged from the debate as upbeat as ever: “This debate marked a clear victory for the Reichel camp. I was the most energetic, determined and progressive of the candidates, and provided the most well-founded and realistic solutions to the problems facing this city.”

While the debate remained civil throughout, the candidates did find room to inject friendly jabs at one another. In response to Reichel’s pleas to the community to join him in cleaning out the ward organization and removing the machine influence that exists there now, Tom O’Donnell disparaged Reichel and claimed “This isn’t about “machine” this or “machine” that. This is about getting things done.” Reichel retorted: “With all due respect, Mr. O’Donnell, the Democratic machine is very real, and poses a real road block to getting anything done for the 99% of us that are not integral members of it.”

Mr. O’Donnell is a long-time member of Ald. Schulter’s ward organization.

Reichel continued: “Our progressive and populist message resonated most with voters in attendance, who were also impressed by the enthusiasm of our campaign. Today, we have made a big step forward to victory on February 22nd.”

Emailed to contact.ipr@gmail.com:

After the announcement of incumbent alderman Gene Schulter’s departure from the 47th ward aldermanic election, Green Party candidate Matt Reichel has pronounced himself the favorite:

“I am the only remaining candidate who has been actively campaigning and organizing in this ward for nearly two years, as part of my congressional campaign. “

(Reichel was previously the Green party candidate for Congress in the 5th District.)

read more »

The Illinois Green Party is covering Election Day happenings with a live blog at their website. After it was revealed recently that Chicago voting machines were identifying Green Party gubernatorial candidate Rich Whitney as “Rich Whitey”, it should be interesting to read about any other “irregularities” that might occur. The bloggers are already reporting that Rep. Toni Berrios, who faces a strong challenge from Green Jeremy Karpen in the 39th District, has been delivering pastries emblazoned with her campaign logo to election judges in an apparent violation of electioneering law.

On a related note, if you encounter any difficulties when voting, make sure to report them to your state Green Party as soon as possible, so that patterns of voter suppression can be identified before polls close.

Illinois Green Party candidate for 39th District State Representative Jeremy Karpen has met an enthusiastic response to his challenge of the Chicago Machine. Supporters of Karpen’s campaign have made musical videos of their favorite candidate that are well worth watching for a taste of what people-powered politics looks – and sounds – like. Enjoy:

read more »

From Green Change:

Jeremy Karpen’s clean-money Green campaign for the IL State Assembly is poised to pull off an upset victory against his Chicago Machine opponent.

Jeremy and his volunteers have already knocked on 7,000 doors and made 3,000 phone calls. Jeremy has earned enthusiastic endorsements from leading newspapers, unions, and voter groups.

At this critical moment, Jeremy needs to raise $3,000 to air a bilingual TV ad, “I support Jeremy Karpen/Yo Apoyo a Jeremy Karpen.”

Watch the ad and make a donation at www.jeremykarpen.org/content/put-jeremy-tv .

If you have a spare hour to phone bank, please volunteer by emailing diane@jeremykarpen.org with the subject line “phone bank”. Even if you don’t live in Chicago, you can make calls from the comfort of your own home.

Jeremy Karpen’s election could spark a peaceful Green revolution from coast to coast. His victory will prove that Greens can start winning state legislative races.

Let’s do everything in our power to help him win.

Please donate and volunteer today to help make Green history.

Here is more information about Jeremy and his campaign: read more »

The Southtown Star has endorsed Illinois Green Party candidate for Cook County Board President Tom Tresser:

Tom Tresser tops his business cards with the message “Unbossed and unbought” in his quest to becomes the first third-party candidate to head the powerful Cook County Board of Commissioners. read more »

Illinois Green Party candidate for 39th District State Representative Jeremy Karpen sent the following email to supporters, including the new campaign video and upcoming events:

I Support Jeremy Karpen

Watch the campaign video and share it with your friends!

2 Weeks to Victory | We Need You Now! read more »

Even after Illinois Green Party gubernatorial candidate Rich Whitney got over 10% of the vote in 2006 and established the Green Party as a major party under Illinois law, the Illinois League of Women Voters is refusing to let Whitney debate the Republican and Democratic candidates in Chicago on Wednesday, October 20th. In the editorial viewpoint of Green Party Watch, actions like this make a mockery of democracy in America.

The Illinois Green Party is asking supporters to turn out in force to protest the debate exclusion. Whitney’s campaign has created a facebook event “Protest ABC 7-League of Women Voters Governor’s Debate” where you can view the details and share with your friends.

Gwen Blossom of Wilmette wrote a letter to the Chicago Tribune that nicely captures the injustice of this situation: read more »

From Illinois Green Party gubernatorial candidate Rich Whitney:

Just days after Rich Whitney’s name was found to be misspelled on voting machine throughout Chicago, the Green Party candidate for governor is now finding himself locked out of three Chicago debates, including one going on tonight at Elmhurst College, 8 p.m..

Tonight’s debate, along with the League of Women Voters on Oct 20 and WTTW Channel 11 on Oct 28 debates, are set to include only Brady and Quinn, leaving out the only other established party candidate, Rich Whitney, despite heavy lobbying from Green Party representatives and supporters.

The debate exclusions come after a very successful debate among the three established party candidates in Southern Illinois — including Whitney — in Carbondale, far outside the Chicago political monopoly.

“Whitney won hands down,” wrote David Ormsby in a piece for examiner.com.

“Whitney… seemed to be [the] only one of the three to seize the gravity of the state budget mess,” wrote Chuck Sudo for chicagoist.com.

Similar comments were expressed by Chicago Tribune columnist Eric Zorn after a five-way gubernatorial forum discussion held before the paper’s editorial board .

“Rich Whitney was the best spoken, had the best command of the facts and, in my opinion, had the most sensible ideas for moving Illinois forward,” wrote Zorn on October 1.

“Clearly Rich Whitney belongs in these debates, but debate organizers continue to stonewall us. This is clearly the result of pressure by the Democrats,” said Phil Huckelberry, Chair of the Illinois Green Party. read more »

Illinois Green Party candidate for 39th District State Representative Jeremy Karpen has released a new campaign ad in both English and Spanish, entitled “I support Jeremy Karpen”/”Yo Apoyo a Jeremy Karpen”. Watch here and donate to Jeremy Karpen’s campaign to help get these ads on the air:

The Chicago Sun-Times has endorsed Illinois Green Party candidate for 39th District State Representative Jeremy Karpen, who has also been endorsed by the Chicago Tribune, the Chicago Teachers Union, Chicago Progressive Democrats of America, and Independent Voters of Illinois Independent Precinct Organization. From the Sun-Times:

39th House District: Incumbent Democrat Rep. Maria Antonia “Toni” Berrios is known for not making waves; Springfield insiders say she does a decent job but nothing more. With an out-of-control state budget deficit and a distressed economy, that performance doesn’t cut it. Voters in this Northwest Side district should elect Green Party candidate Jeremy Karpen, a counselor and supervisor at the Mercy Home for Boys. Both candidates share fairly liberal views on taxation policy and education, but Karpen is far more independent, more progressive and has greater depth. There is no Republican running.

From Illinois Green Party candidate for State Representative District 39 Jeremy Karpen:

CHICAGO (September 29, 2010) – On Wednesday, the Chicago Teachers
Union (CTU) endorsed Jeremy Karpen, Green Party candidate for 39th
District State  Representative. The union based their support for
Karpen on their support of what the CTU called his “comprehensive plan
to improve state funding… including education,” his support for an
elected school board, and his opposition to voucher programs.

“I’m honored to have the endorsement of the Chicago Teachers Union,”
said Karpen. “I work on the front lines with those most affected by
underfunded schools, but, unlike my opponent, I reject the notion that
it is time to give up on public education. I’ve stood in solidarity
with public school teachers for a long time, and I am proud to have
them stand with me.”

The Chicago Teachers Union endorsed a selective slate of only 39
candidates across the state. Karpen is the first Green Party candidate
to receive an endorsement from the CTU. read more »