Green Party Watch

Julie Eisenberg and Babette Hogan have posted an article on Alternet entitled “Appalachia Rising despite business as usual” that covers West Virginia Mountain Party US Senate candidate Jesse Johnson:

West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin (D) launched a lawsuit Wednesday against the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) over its regulation of the practice of Mountaintop Removal mining in the state and the EPA promptly punched back with a report from a surprise inspection uncovering safety violations of Massey Energy, one of the state’s most notorious and profitable coal companies…. His Republican opponent, John Raese (R), who has become flush with RNC campaign funds, called Manchin’s lawsuit a political move, meant to show the coal industry that Manchin is still their man, despite his party affiliation.

Third party candidate Jesse Johnson (Mtn. Party) sees this as political theater from both candidates. “Manchin’s always been for the coal industry just as Raese is,” Johnson said during an interview on Friday. “Its business as usual and politics as usual. It’s pretty obvious that both of my opponents stand for the coal operators and not the coal miners and their jobs and their communities.”

Read the full article at Alternet.

There are 11 Green Party candidates on the ballot for US Senate this November, and two official write-in candidates (in CT and NC). These are some amazingly inspiring candidates. Which of the three do you think will have the “greatest impact” on election day?

Take that question however you like, most votes, highest percentage, chance of winning, impacting the dialogue, etc.

Some quick facts about the Green Party US Senate candidates:

GPW: Green Senate Races 2010
GPW: Green Party candidates for US Senate: Big Stories, Top Videos
Green Senatorial Campaign Committee

What do YOU think? Feel free to comment as well.

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From California Green Party US Senate candidate Duane Roberts:

ANAHEIM, Calif – Duane Roberts, Green Party candidate for U.S. Senate, calls for “immediately withdrawing” all U.S. military forces from Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan and using the cost savings to guarantee “every high school graduate” is eligible to receive a “tuition-free education at a public college, university, or technical trade school”:

“If elected to the U.S. Senate, I will introduce legislation to establish a nationwide program to fully guarantee that every high school graduate living within the United States–regardless of immigration status–is eligible to receive a tuition-free education at a public college, university, or technical trade school of their choosing. read more »

WASHINGTON, DC — Green Party candidates for US Senate across the country have broken new ground in their races, gaining greater public attention and more campaign contributions than ever before.

For a complete list of 2010 Green senatorial candidates, visit http://www.greenscc.org/pages/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7&Itemid=7

Green candidates for the US Senate: top stories and videos

• The Green Senatorial Campaign Committee (http://www.greenscc.org), which is recognized by the Federal Election Commission, is distributing its first round of funds to candidates.  Despite the recession, the committee has already surpassed the funds raised in the last election cycle.

• In Maryland, Kenniss Henry has replaced her daughter Natasha Pettigrew, who was killed when an SUV struck her bicycle in September, as the Green Party’s US Senate candidate.  Ms. Henry will carry Ms. Pettigrew’s issues forward and work hard to change Maryland law to win greater protection for bicyclists.
http://www.gp.org/press/pr-state.php?ID=355
http://www.gazette.net/stories/09282010/prinnew180534_32576.php

• LeAlan Jones, running for the US Senate in Illinois, is drawing equal support from McCain and Obama voters, challenging the common belief that Greens draw votes solely from the left and potentially spoil for Democrats.

“Illinois voters have figured out that the Green Party, not the Tea Party, represents the real alternative to business-as-usual two-party politics,” said Matt Lavery, chair of the Green Senatorial Campaign Committee.

Video clips of LeAlan Jones interviewed: http://lealanforsenate.org and http://www.greenscc.org
http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/09/fox-news-poll-kirk-edges-giannoulias-by-two-points-in-il-sen.php

• Green candidates have received increasing endorsements and support from Democrats.  In West Virginia, Democratic leader and defeated US Senate candidate Ken Hechler endorsed Jesse Johnson of the Mountain Party (affiliated with the national Green Party).  Mr. Johnson and Mr. Hechler are leaders in the movement to ban mountaintop removal mining.
http://jesse4ussenate.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=25:hechler-endorses-mountain-partys-johnson&catid=1:media-news-reports&Itemid=2
http://www.jesse4ussenate.org

• Tom Clements has emerged as the choice of South Carolina voters who support neither incumbent rightwing Republican ideologue Jim DeMint or Democrat Alvin Greene, whose campaign is collapsing after troubling revelations about his past.

“If enough voters in South Carolina learn about Tom Clements by Election Day, we will make history by placing the first Green in the US Senate,” said David McCorquodale, Treasurer of the Green Senatorial Campaign Committee.

http://www.thenation.com/article/154601/greene-green-sc
http://www.wfae.org/wfae/1_87_316.cfm?action=display&id=6499

• While Green candidates for the Senate are attracting more media coverage than in past elections, they’re still struggling to get included in televised debates.  In Illinois, LeAlan Jones is currently petitioning for the right to participate in the Meet The Press candidates’ debate.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-il-illinoissenate-jo,0,6014610.story

Green candidates who get into the debates raise issues and ideas that the Democratic and Republican contenders won’t touch.  In Arizona, Green Senate candidate Jerry Joslyn confronted incumbent Sen. John McCain on war funding during a September 26 debate.
http://www.azfamily.com/news/Arizona-US-Senate-candidates-debate-103835038.html
http://www.joslynforsenate.com

• Duane Roberts, Green candidate for the US Senate in California, has taken the lead on immigrants’ rights, demanding “immediate amnesty.”  In September, Mr. Roberts accused Democrats of being “anti-immigrant.”
http://newsblaze.com/story/20100928144003zzzz.nb/topstory.html
http://blogs.ocweekly.com/navelgazing/immigration/duane-roberts-beware-of-democr/
http://voteforduane.wordpress.com

• More videos:

West Virginia Mountain Party candidate Jesse Johnson speaks at the Sept. 27 Appalachia Rising protest in Washington, DC, against mountaintop removal mining: http://vimeo.com/15421038
Audio clip of interview about the rally: http://westvirginia.watchdog.org/2084/audio-senate-candidate-johnson-joins-hundreds-to-protest-mtr-in-dc/

“Colia’s Song,” about New York Green candidate Colia Clark: http://www.coliaclark.org

LeAlan Jones and other US Senate candidates from Illinois meet with the Chicago Tribune editorial board (audio): http://www.chicagotribune.com/wgnam-senate-candidates,0,2709990.mp3file

MORE INFORMATION read more »

Jonathan Weisman at the Wall Street Journal has written an article about Illinois Green Party US Senate candidate LeAlan Jones entitled “Greens may turn blue seat to red”:

…Mr. Obama once held the Senate seat, and lived on Chicago’s South Side, where he first won elective office on his strength in the black community.

But recent polls show the African-American Mr. Jones taking anywhere from 5% to 8% of the vote in Illinois—and posing a real threat to the Democratic candidate, State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, in his battle with GOP Rep. Mark Kirk.

Darien Cavanaugh of the Columbia City Paper has written an extensive interview with South Carolina Green Party US Senate candidate Tom Clements:

The 2010 South Carolina race for the U.S. Senate has left many voters scratching their heads in bewilderment, shrugging their shoulders in apathy, or rubbing their faces in annoyance.  Jim DeMint has become the brash new kingmaker of the rightwing Tea Party movement, alienating moderate Republicans and Independents and making progressives consider moving to another state.  Alvin Greene, the Democratic candidate, has been a controversial and perplexing figure since his come-from-nowhere defeat of Vic Rawl in the Democratic primary and hasn’t been able to mount a formidable campaign or garner much support even among his own party.

But there is, however, another choice, another party.  Enter Tom Clements, the Green Party’s candidate.  Clements was kind enough to sit down with me for a few minutes at his office on Sumter St. before heading to a meet and greet at Goatfeathers in Five Points.  After meeting him for the first time, I was sure of three things: he’s an intelligent yet down to earth man, he has the knowledge and experience to make him a serious candidate, and he’s looking for a fight.

Read the full article at the Columbia City Paper.

From GreenChange.org:

Here are ten growing Green campaigns from around the country. Our Green candidates are the true leaders of the Green movement.  They are working hard for all of us, and they need your help.  Please support them by donating and volunteering today.

RICH WHITNEY FOR GOVERNOR (IL)

Rich Whitney is a civil rights attorney who received over 10% of the vote for Governor of Illinois in 2006. He has proposed a detailed plan to fix Illinois’ budget shortfall and invest in green public works through public banking and progressive taxation, while his opponents Pat Quinn, Bill Brady and Scott Lee Cohen have not offered plans of their own. Whitney is advocating for single-payer health care, a living wage, free higher education and legalization of marijuana. Whitney needs at least 5% of the vote to maintain a ballot line for the growing Illinois Green Party, which is running 47 candidates at all levels this year. Learn more about Rich Whitney’s campaign and how you can help.

JESSE JOHNSON FOR US SENATE (WV)

Jesse Johnson is a leader in the battle against mountaintop removal coal mining, which he calls “ground zero for global climate change.” He is the only candidate in the race who opposes mountaintop removal, which Democrat Joe Manchin and Republican John Raese both support. Johnson has been endorsed by WV Democrat Ken Hechler, a former member of Congress and mountaintop removal opponent who challenged Manchin in the primary. Watch Jesse Johnson whip up the crowd at the Appalachia Rising rally in Washington DC on September 27th. Learn more about Jesse Johnson’s campaign and how you can help.

JOHN GRAY FOR US SENATE (AR)

John Gray is the Mayor of Greenland, Arkansas and an advocate for single-payer health care, worker’s rights, and ending corporate personhood. His opponents are Republican John Boozman, conservative independent Trevor Drown, and Democrat Blanche Lincoln, a leading recipient of Wal-Mart campaign cash who has fought to weaken health care reform and stop the Employee Free Choice Act. Gray’s priorities include breaking up “too-big-to-fail” corporations, ending the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and putting Americans back to work. Learn more about John Gray’s campaign and how you can help.

TOM CLEMENTS FOR US SENATE (SC)

Tom Clements is a veteran activist against nuclear proliferation who has worked for Greenpeace, the Nuclear Control Institute, and Friends of the Earth. He is running against far-right incumbent Republican Jim DeMint and Democrat Alvin Greene, who faces felony obscenity charges. Clements is a strong advocate for green jobs, single-payer health care, and halting the abuses of big corporations and their political cronies like DeMint. He has been endorsed by the Greater Columbia Central Labor Council. Learn more about Tom Clements’ campaign and how you can help.

LAURA WELLS FOR GOVERNOR (CA)

Laura Wells is a financial manager and democracy activist who is campaigning on a plan to fix California’s budget crisis and provide quality affordable health care and education to all. Despite widespread dissatisfaction among voters with Democrat Jerry Brown and Republican Meg Whitman, organizers of an “eco-friendly” gubernatorial debate on Oct. 12 are denying Wells the chance to offer her Green solutions to voters. Wells and local Green officeholders will join supporters at an open debate demonstration outside the debate in San Rafael. Learn more about Laura Wells’ campaign and how you can help.

LUISA EVONNE VALDEZ FOR STATE HOUSE (AZ)

Luisa Evonne Valdez is running for Arizona State House in District 15, which covers central Phoenix. Valdez is a disabled veteran and advocate for LGBTQ and veterans’ rights who was recently named one of “40 Hispanic leaders under 40″ by the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. She is campaigning to bring a voice for equal rights, community-based economics, renewable energy and sustainability to Arizona state government. Learn more about Luisa Evonne Valdez’s campaign and how you can help.

DAN CRAIGIE FOR STATE HOUSE (MN)

Dan Craigie is running for Minnesota State House in District 59B in Minneapolis. Craigie, whose background includes working as a Navy technician, is a strong advocate for green jobs, single-payer health care, and equal rights. With the support of Cam Gordon, a Green who has twice won election to Minneapolis City Council, Craigie is running a muscular on-the-ground campaign to become the first Green elected to Minnesota’s legislature. Learn more about Dan Craigie’s campaign and how you can help.

DAVID ELLISON FOR CUYAHOGA COUNTY EXECUTIVE (OH)

David Ellison of Cleveland is running for Cuyahoga County Executive in Ohio. Ellison is an architect and community activist who has led the fight for community-driven development. In a race with five other candidates, Ellison stands out as a supporter of community-based economics and environmental sustainability. He supports creating a public bank and investing in local food production to strengthen the local economy. Learn more about David Ellison’s campaign and how you can help.

EDWARD SHADID FOR STATE HOUSE (OK)

Edward Shadid is running for Oklahoma State House in District 85 in Oklahoma City. Shadid is a medical doctor and advocate for healthy, sustainable lifestyles. His campaign is focusing attention on the issue of ballot access reform in Oklahoma, which makes it harder than any state for Greens and other independents to qualify for the ballot. Ralph Nader recently joined Shadid for a campaign rally in Oklahoma City – watch the video here. Learn more about Edward Shadid’s campaign and how you can help.

CHERYL WOLFE FOR STATE HOUSE (MT)

Cheryl Wolfe is running for Montana State House in District 11, which covers parts of Flathead and Lake Counties north of Missoula. Wolfe is an accountant and community activist from Polson. She is running against incumbent Republican Janna Taylor, a supporter of more oil and coal industry development in Montana. Wolfe’s campaign gives Montanans the choice of voting for green jobs, sustainable development, progressive taxation, instant runoff voting and more. Learn more about Cheryl Wolfe’s campaign and how you can help.

The following is from an email written by Scott McClarty of the Green Party Media Committee about South Carolina Green Party US Senate candidate Tom Clements:

Anyone who’s been following the race knows that Tom is up against Jim DeMint, a rabid rightwing GOP ideologue, and Alvin Greene, whose Democratic campaign is crumbling after revelations about his past.  So Tom is within striking distance of a victory, if the momentum for his campaign builds up over the next month and crests on Election Day.

According to the South Carolina Green I met, the Clements campaign needs three things:

(1) 400 to 500 volunteers to go door to door throughout SC in the next month.

(2) Campaign contributions

(3) Videos!  The Clements campaign needs online videos about how Tom is a great candidate and why he’s the only rational choice in a race with a radical wingnut Republican and a flaky Democrat.

Greens around the US can help with (2) and (3).  Go to the web site (http://clementsforsenate.com) to donate.

Greens with video skills & equipment can produce videos about Tom’s campaign.  The more imaginative & memorable, the more likely the videos are to go viral.

Illinois Green Party US Senate candidate LeAlan Jones is asking supporters to contact NBC to ask that Jones be included in an October 10th episode of Meet the Press in which candidates for US Senate from Illinois will debate:

I just sent the following letter to NBC News president Steve Capus. As you can see, they are trying to keep me out of the Meet the Press debate on October 10th.

I urge everyone to call “Meet The Press” and ask them: “Let LeAlan debate!”. The number is 202-885-4598. read more »

Natalie McGill reports at Gazette.net:

The mother of Natasha Pettigrew, a Green Party Senate candidate who died Sept. 20 after her bike was struck by a sport utility vehicle, will replace her daughter as the party’s nominee.

Kenniss Henry of Cheverly will run in Pettigrew’s place in the Nov. 2 general election, according to the Maryland State Board of Elections website. read more »

From California Green Party US Senate candidate Duane Roberts:

ANAHEIM, Calif – Duane Roberts, Green Party candidate for U.S. Senate, backs “immediate amnesty” for “millions of undocumented workers” living within the United States. Roberts points out that “so-called ‘illegal immigration’” is caused by “uneven capitalist development between nations” and that politicians don’t address this problem:

“As a longtime defender of immigrant rights, I strongly back the idea of granting immediate amnesty for the millions of undocumented workers currently living within the United States. An overwhelming majority of them work incredibly hard, are law abiding, and make invaluable contributions to the wealth of this country. read more »

From Independent Political Report:

On Sunday September 26th four candidates for US Senate in Arizona squared off in a televised debate: Republican incumbent John McCain, Democrat Rodney Glassman, Libertarian David Nolan, and Green Jerry Joslyn. Watch the debate here (click ‘read more’ to see parts 2, 3 and 4):

read more »

Peter Shelton at the Telluride Watch reports on Colorado Green Party US Senate candidate Bob Kinsey:

Illinois Green Party US Senate candidate LeAlan Jones recently sent this message to supporters: