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Wisconsin Green Party Celebrates Four Victories. |
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GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES Contact: Ben Manski, Wisconsin Green Party, 608.239.6915 Four out of ten candidates win in Wisconsin, with a high Green incumbent success rate. MADISON, WISCONSIN -- Voters have chosen to elect 4 Green Party candidates in races throughout Wisconsin, bringing the total of elected Greens in Wisconsin to 17 and in the U.S. to 177. Pete Karas, running for Common Council in Racine's 9th District, won 73% of the vote. "I'm elated with our victory, and am looking forward to bringing a progressive voice and Green values to the Racine City Council," said Karas. "We ran an honest campaign, being very upfront with our Green platform. I thank the many supporters who worked long hours so that we could effectively deliver our message." Karas was outspoken on numerous controversial issues, such as the Racine "Rave" arrests, and the war in Iraq. "We always communicated these issues in a very respectful manner," said Karas. "I believe that the reason people accepted our controversial issues is that we also stressed positive issues in the campaign. Our message of citizen involvement and inclusive, responsive government was well received, as was our call for Racine to convert all municipal buildings to renewable energy power by adopting the Vote Solar Initiative locally." All three Wisconsin Green Party candidates won in their races for Madison City Council. "Once again we have proven that people power wins over money and that real estate interests are not the interests of the people who live in the 2nd district," noted Brenda Konkel, who has served on the council the past 2 years. "I'm proud to have won this election with a broad base of support. It just shows that the Green Party is the party of Common Sense and voters are drawn to that." Konkel received 71% of the vote. The success rate of Green incumbents in Wisconsin is 87.5%, with 28 out of 32 victories in the party's history. Austin King won a seat in the 8th District of Madison's City Council with 55% of the vote. "Tonight is only the beginning of a Madison that is more friendly, accessible, and equitable," said King. "I can't wait to get to work on implementing our agenda that resonated with so many District 8 voters: establishing a local minimum wage, increasing our stock of affordable housing, controlling sprawl, and empowering tenants. Tonight's stunning victory would not have been possible without the dedicated support of so many wonderful volunteers. It was truly their efforts that carried our campaign and proved once again that organized people can defeat organized money." Brian Benford won his first bid for a seat in Madison City Council's 12th District, with 53% of the vote. "I look forward to representing the Green Party and helping to build the party locally and statewide," said Benford. Larry Harding, who ran for Chairperson of the Town of Somers, lost by merely 36 votes, receiving 48.7%. "I was pleased with our effort and the election," said Harding, who will maintain the Town Supervisor seat he won in 2002. "I ran as the 'peace' candidate and was proud to express Green Party values." Wisconsin Green Party candidates and their percentages: Pete Karas, Common Council, District 9, Racine
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