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THE GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES
MEDIA RELEASE
For immediate release:
Thursday, October 31, 2002
Contacts:
Nancy Allen, Media Coordinator, 207-326-4576, nallen@acadia.net
Scott McLarty, Media Coordinator, 202-518-5624, scottmclarty@yahoo.com
GREENS WIN A RECORD NUMBER OF ENDORSEMENTS
New web page lists endorsements of Greens from
newspapers, human rights, labor, and environmental groups: http://www.gp.org/endorse02.html
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Green Party of the United
States today inaugurated a website publicizing the major endorsements
Green candidates have received from prominent labor, environmental and
social justice organizations, as well as daily newspapers.
Many endorsements come from organizations that have
in the past endorsed only major party candidates. But newspaper editors
and organization leaders have been impressed by the momentum of many of
this year's Green campaigns and the quality of this year's Green
candidates, and discouraged by the wave of negative ads run by some
Democrats and Republicans.
The address of the Green endorsement page is http://www.gp.org/endorse02.html.
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NEWSPAPERS: Green endorsements have been
announced by several major daily papers, including the Chicago
Tribune, Minneapolis Star Tribune and the Austin Chronicle.
According to Kyrsten Sinema, candidate for Arizona State House
District 15, "My campaign was endorsed by The Arizona Republic,
a moderately conservative statewide newspaper, because I recognize
that our state is facing a fiscal crisis and I am alone in offering
real solutions for long-term change that will create a balanced tax
system that's fair to families in Arizona."
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HUMAN RIGHTS: Many organizations have noted the
Green Party's significant growth among communities of color, such as
Natalie Johnson Lee's election in 2001 to the Minneapolis City
Council over the incumbent Council President.
This year, Jeff Toste, candidate for State Senate District 5 in
Providence, RI, received the endorsement of the Rhode Island Latino
Political Action Committee.
Tony Affigne, RILPAC vice president, said the Latino endorsement
demonstrates the Green Party's growing power in communities of
color. "We expect endorsements like this all across the
country, as Latino, African American, Asian Pacific American and
Native communities learn more about the Green Party and its
commitment to social justice, ecological wisdom, inclusive
democracy, and peace."
State and local chapters of the National Organization for Women
(NOW) also endorsed Toste and other Green candidates this year.
"NOW is endorsing more Green Party candidates because we are
ahead of every other political party in the country when it comes to
Feminism and Social Justice," said Adam Benedetto, Green
candidate for Sheriff in Dane County, Wisconsin. "My
endorsement shows that mainstream organizations like NOW are
recognizing that."
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LABOR: Traditional supporters of Democrats, some
unions have recently favored Republicans, as evidence mounts that
many Democrats have abandoned working people. But an increasing
number of unions have recognized the Green Party's viability and
dedication to the rights and needs of working people.
Michael Morrill, Pennsylvania gubernatorial candidate, was endorsed
by United Electrical #6 and American Federation of State, County and
Municipal Employees local 1723. "Running against a Democratic
candidate with a clear anti-labor record, I had the opportunity this
year to win over a few brave unions who are ready to declare
independence from the Democratic Party," said Morrill.
"We're proud to carry these endorsements, because we know
they're the first step toward a realignment of
alliances."
AnnDrea Benson, Green candidate for Pennsylvania's 3rd House
Congressional District, agreed, saying, "Working people are one
of the main reasons I jumped into this race, because their issues
aren't being addressed. I'm proud to be endorsed by locals of the
United Electrical Union, United Steel Workers and the
Boilermakers." Benson collected endorsements from Boilermakers
Local 151, United Electrical District #6, United Electrical Local
506, United Steelworkers Local 5306, Gay & Lesbian Voters
PAC, and NOW.
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ENVIRONMENT: At least 11 endorsements have come
from local or state chapters of the Sierra Club in 2002. "I am
proud to be endorsed by the Sierra Club," said Linda Schade,
Green candidate for the House of Delegates in Maryland's 20th
District. "I received this endorsement due to my record of
environmental activism in my district and their recognition that I
am going to win."
Schade also received endorsements from Teamsters Local 639, from
NOW, and from The Takoma Voice, a local newspaper. "We expect
to see a lot more of the kind of multiple endorsements won by Linda
Schade in Maryland, AnnDrea Benson in Pennsylvania, and Jeff Toste
in Rhode Island," said Dean Myerson, the Green Party's national
Political Coordinator. "It's inevitable, as the Greens gain
numbers and get elected to office, that these organizations will see
the Green Party as the best choice for their issues."
MORE INFORMATION
The Green Party of the United States
http://www.gp.org
National office: 1314 18th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN
Major endorsements of Green Party campaigns by
prominent national organizations and newspapers http://www.gp.org/endorse02.html
Database of Green campaigns and office holders http://www.gp.org/patience.html
Green candidates' participation in and exclusion from
debates http://www.gp.org/debates
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