State Green Party Press Release

Carpenter and Seiser Work to Grow the Party; Wisconsin Green Candidates in Senate Special Elections.

Wisconsin Green Party
Press Release
April 29, 2003

Contacts:
Jim Carpenter 414 347-0353
Jo Seiser 715-341-7741
Jessica Thill, Wisconsin Green Party Co-Spokesperson, 608-782-1359

Jim Carpenter, Wisconsin Green Party candidate in the District 7 Senate Special Election, garnered 29% of the vote.

Although Carpenter didn't win, he has contributed to the growth of the Green Party. The Green Party runs candidates for offices from President and Governor to School Board and Soil and Water Commission, all without the support of corporate PACs. All across the nation, Green women and men of every age, race and walk of life are campaigning and speaking out against the war and for peace, justice and a sustainable environment. Wisconsin has 17 elected Green Party officials, and there are 176 across the nation.

Carpenter spent $24,769. He received no PAC or corporate funds. He received a Wisconsin Election Committee grant of $11,932 - the first Wisconsin Green Party candidate to do so. All other contributions to his campaign were $150 and under. His opponent, Democrat Jeff Plale, spent $67,835, of which $18,350 were PAC contributions.

Jo Seiser is also a part of the effort to increase the visibility and viability of the party. She received 3% of the vote in the District 24 Special Senate Election. She raised $3,193, and spent $838, according to the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign April 14th report. She neither sought nor accepted PAC funds. Her contributions were all $100 or less. Julie Lassa, the victor of the special election, spent $60,967, according to the same WDC report, with $3000 coming from PACs.

Seiser is considering running for the Assembly seat that Julie Lassa will vacate.

"I have been really honored to run for the State Senate District 7 seat, and to be included in all the public forums, radio opportunity and public events," said Seiser. "I was really pleased at the response of the voters - people were open, considerate, and thoughtful in their questions about issues."

Wisconsin Green Party candidates statewide have fought hard for inclusion in forums and in coverage by the press. Great gains have been made, as evidenced by Seiser's inclusion in this election.