State Green Party Press Release

Maryland Green Party

Sierra Club Endorses Linda Schade.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AUGUST 11, 2002

Press contacts: Bob Guldin (301) 891-1038 Chris Driscoll (443) 415-5077

Green Challenger Breaks Out of Pack

Linda Schade, Green Party candidate for the Maryland House of Delegates, received a significant boost to her campaign recently when the Montgomery County Sierra Club announced that it had endorsed her. It is the first time the 6,000-member environmental organization has ever endorsed a Green candidate. In a crowded field of eight challengers, Ms. Schade's break-out campaign is surprising nay-sayers with its credibility and momentum.

The Sierra Club move was newsworthy because the group endorses only persons it believes to be strong, viable candidates. Explained Montgomery County Chair Betsy Johnson, "We don't want to waste our endorsement on somebody who doesn't have a chance of getting elected."

"Linda Schade has a good analysis of the district," Johnson explained. "She's got lots of enthusiastic volunteers, she's been raising money. I think she's got a shot at it." Three Democratic incumbents are running for re-election in the district. Johnson added, "We were very impressed with her. She'd make a wonderful delegate."

Schade is running in District 20, which includes Takoma Park and much of Silver Spring. "The Sierra Club is a natural ally of this campaign," Schade said, "and I look forward to working together to champion the public's serious environmental concerns in the state legislature."

Schade's campaign is part of a major upsurge in Green Party electoral activity this year. There are 153 Greens in office nation-wide and over 400 Green candidates are running so far this year. Greens are running in 15 of 36 gubernatorial races.

Schade, an active critic of corporate influence on the electoral process, is running on a platform of Fresh Air, Clean Politics and Corporate Accountability. She does not accept corporate or PAC money, choosing instead to accept contributions from individuals only.

"Everywhere I go, voters are outraged to learn that corporate contributions affectlegislators right here in District 20," Schade says. "When they learn that our fresh air is being sacrificed for developer money, and our social services are collapsing to fund tax breaks for Marriott and Discovery, they are moved to action."

http://www.lindaschade.org "Fresh Air & Clean Politics"

Forwarded by the D.C. Statehood Green Party
http://www.dcstatehoodgreen.org