Maine Green Independent Party
www.mainegreens.org
Pat LaMarche for Governor
www.pat2006.com
March 16, 2006
The 2004 GP VP Candidate Has the Required Signatures Verified , Pledges Return to Maine Values
AUGUSTA, ME -- Pat LaMarche is a business manager, journalist, educator, broadcaster, and at present one of the co-chairs of the Green Party of the United States, who has spent her adult life working to improve the lives of her fellow Mainers. Today she became an official candidate for Governor of Maine under the Maine Green Independent Party banner.
Over 2400 signatures of registered Maine Green Independent Party members, many more than the required 2000, were verified by the Maine Secretary of State on Wednesday March 15 and that office has confirmed that Ms. LaMarche will be on the November ballot.
"This challenge was met thanks to the efforts of hundreds of LaMarche supporters. They worked tirelessly over the last seven weeks to ensure that the people of Maine have a candidate on the ballot who has a proven commitment to improving the lives of our people, communities and small businesses," said Bob Walters, a campaign volunteer from
Harpswell.
While collecting the required signatures, LaMarche talked with thousands of Mainers from all across the state. "The days we spent collecting signatures were long, but not because of the task at hand," said LaMarche. "After listening to so many of my fellow citizens, and hearing about how the current administration's policies have negatively impacted their lives, I realized just how deeply the people of Maine are ready for a change. You could tell that many of the folks were thrilled to be heard, especially those who excitedly changed party affiliation just to sign my papers to run on the Maine Green Independent ballot line."
Over the coming three weeks, Pat LaMarche and the nearly five hundred Green Party volunteers who carried the qualifying petitions will focus on collecting the 2,500 signatures and $5 checks necessary to qualify for funding as a Clean Elections candidate. Those interested in contributing to this effort can go to LaMarche's website at
www.pat2006.com or call 207-318-4961 for more information.
"Mainers need a responsive governor. Mainers deserve a governor who knows what it's like to live in Maine, to operate a business in Maine, to get sick or old in Maine, and to educate their kids in Maine. And with this first step of ballot qualification out of the way, we are on our way to delivering that new kind of leadership to the Blaine house," said Theresa Savage, LaMarche Campaign Treasurer. "Working hard on this campaign is my way of ensuring that Mainers get the governor we deserve: Pat LaMarche."
"I am thrilled to be a Green candidate for Governor," said Pat LaMarche. "I represent more than party politics as usual. I represent the Maine values of social and fiscal responsibility that are the bedrock of our great state.
"During the next four years," she continued, "I hope to show the people of Maine that there are better ways to solve problems' Maine needs a fresh start, and I hope that the people of Maine will allow me to provide it. As governor, I pledge to work as hard as they do every day. I pledge to find solutions that work for all of us, not just for those who finance campaigns or have the ear of leadership in the back rooms of the state house. I pledge to return this state we love to the social and fiscal responsibility that are the hallmarks of a government that is run by and for the people."
