Some important Green wins in local elections, according to early Election Day returns

GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES
http://www.gp.org

For Immediate Release:
Wednesday, November 7, 2007

Contacts:
Scott McLarty, Media Coordinator, 202-518-5624, mclarty@greens.org
Starlene Rankin, Media Coordinator, 916-995-3805, starlene@gp.org
Brent McMillan, National Political Director, 202-319-7191, brent@gp.org

Illinois Greens succeed in meeting early filing deadline for 2008 elections

Green candidate database for 2007 and other campaign information:
http://www.gp.org/elections.shtml

WASHINGTON, DC -- Green Party leaders are congratulating several candidates who were elected to local office on Election Day, November 6, according to early returns.

137 Greens ran for public office in the 2007 off-year elections, with 89 of them competing on November 6.

Green leaders also congratulated Illinois Greens <http://www.ilgp.org> for meeting the early filing deadline on November 6 for placing presidential, congressional, and other candidates on the ballot for the state's February 5 primary. In 2006, the Green Party won its ballot line in Illinois, overcoming difficult ballot access rules and obstruction efforts by Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who used $800,000 in taxpayers' money trying to block Greens from the ballot. Green gubernatorial candidate Rich Whitney drew over 10% in 2006, more than twice Illinois' 5% requirement to maintain ballot access.

According to Phil Huckelberry, chair of the Illinois Green Party's government and elections committee, the party has set a goal of having 100 to 110 state and local candidates on ballots in 2008. For more information on Illinois Green races, contact Mr. Huckelberry at 309-268-9974 or <phil.huckelberry@gmail.com>.

GREEN VICTORIES on November 6 (according to early returns; more to be reported later):

CALIFORNIA http://www.cagreens.org

Larry Bragman and Lew Tremain were re-elected to the Fairfax City Council. Mr. Bragman finished first with 1,322 votes or 40.74%, and Mr. Tremain finished second with 969 votes or 29.66 %. Three candidates competed for two seats. http://www.co.marin.ca.us/depts/rv/main/CurrentElection/Results.htm

CONNECTICUT http://www.ctgreens.org

Alan Brison scored an upset victory in his race for Ward 10 Alderman in New Haven. Mr. Brison beat his competition by 100 votes in the East Rock and Cedar Hill neighborhoods.
http://ctgreens.org/candidates/brison2007

Jean deSmet was elected First Selectman of the town of Windham. (At 9:30 pm on Tuesday, Ms. deSmet was 120 votes ahead of the Democrat and far ahead of the Republican.) Ms. deSmet is also co-chair of the Green Party of Connecticut. http://www.VoteJean.com

MAINE http://www.mainegreens.org

John Anton won his race for Portland City Council. Mr. Anton finished first among four candidates for two at-large seats, drawing 6,320 votes or 29.04%.
http://www.johnanton.us/

MASSACHUSETTS http://www.massgreens.org

Chuck Turner easily won reelection to Boston City Council (District 7) with 81% of the vote.

Luc Schuster won reelection to the Cambridge School Committee, finishing fourth out of nine candidates for six seats. Mr. Schuster received 1,658 first place votes.
http://www.voteluc.org/

NEW YORK http://www.gpnys.org

David Lussier, running in a partisan race for County Legislature (District 7) in Albany, has a five vote lead with all machine votes in on Election Night. 90 affidavit and absentee ballots remain to be counted on November 14. Mr. Lussier's 531 votes places him ahead of Democrat Brian Scavo (526 votes). Mr. Lussier campaigned vigorously among absentee ballot voters, and Greens are optimistic that his victory will be confirmed.
http://www.lussierforleg.com

VIRGINIA http://www.vagreenparty.org

Chris Simmons won his race for Soil and Water Conservation Board in Loudon County. He finished second out of four candidates for three seats with 18,093 votes or 25.38%.

MORE INFORMATION

Green Party of the United States
http://www.gp.org
202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN
Fax 202-319-7193

Green Party News Center
http://www.gp.org/newscenter.shtm

Green Party Speakers Bureau
http://www.gp.org/speakers

2007 national Green Party meeting in Reading,
Pa.: video footage, blog and media coverage
http://www.gp.org/meeting2007/

"2007 Green candidates to watch on Election Day, November 6"
Green Party press release, November 1, 2007
http://www.gp.org/press/pr_2007_11_01.shtml

~ END ~