News Release - Thursday, October 31, 2002

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Greens Win Record Number of Endorsements.

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

  • 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."

  • 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." 

  • 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.

  • 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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News Release - Thursday, October 31, 2002

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