The only nationally-organized minor party that elected any state legislators this month was the Constitution Party, in Montana. Greens and Libertarians had expected to elect some also.
Greens already had one state representative in Maine, John Eder of Portland. He was defeated for re-election in a 2-person race with 48.4% of the vote, in the 118th House district.
In Maine’s 119th House district, Green Matthew Reading polled 41.8% in a 3-party race, easily defeating his Republican opponent but losing to his Democratic opponent by about 150 votes.
In Maine’s 120th House district, Green Ben Meiklejohn, a member of the Portland School Board, polled 43.1% in a two-person race, losing to an incumbent Democrat.
Easing the sting for Maine Greens was the fact that they elected their first members to the Portland City Council. City council elections are non-partisan. Kevin Donaghue, 27, won his 3-person race with 47.4% of the vote. David Marshall, 28, won his 3-way race with 45.4% of the vote. No Portland Green member had ever before been elected to the Portland city council, which has nine members.
Portland’s School Committee continues to have four Greens, from a total membership of nine. One incumbent Green was defeated for re-election, but in another district, Greens gained a member.
Libertarians hoped for some legislative victories in Vermont, since five Libertarians had won the Republican primary, as well as the Libertarian convention nomination. However, all five were defeated in the general election. The closest showing was in the Rutland 5-1 House district, where Jeff Manney lost a two-person race with 43.6% of the vote. The second closest showing was in the Grand Isle-Chitten House district, where Hardy Machia lost a two-person race with 37.2% of the vote. The others polled 24.0%, 30.2%, and 28.9%.
But one Libertarian was elected in New Hampshire as a Democrat, finishing 6th in a race for 8 slots. Five also tried in New Hampsire as Republicans and lost, but one success is still better than none.
In Minnesota the Greens were stuck with ‘minor party’ status so no automatic ballot access law.
Same deal with the Libertarians.
I know at least one Green for US House that could not get on the ballot.
The MN LP had its hopes set up a small business owner (bar) as a LP Gov candidate, but then she decided to run in the GOP Primary. Since 2002 their seems to be some dissent within that party if they should even bother with candidates or not
Richard. The check is in the mail. Thanks. I am talking with MN State legislators about the period of time to circulating a petition; what amount of time is normal? good?
Eric- Rep. Bettencourt must not have any ties to the LP or the greater libertarian movement. I follow both quite carefully and I havn’t seen him mentioned anyplace. Thanks for the info!
Doctor Paul Wayne Snyder [PhD] Response to “Green Party Success in 2006â€
Citizens For A Better Veterans Home (founded 1998)
Post Office Box 2258
Barstow CAlifornia
92312 – 2258
Originally posted:
November 29th, 2006 at 6:23 pm
Icons, icons, whose got the icons?
In 1990 Don Lake offered the California Greens and other Non Democans and Non Republicrats use of the 21st Century Peace Symbol [as a three bladed electrical energy wind powered generated]. The silence was deafening!
Later Lake proposed that Non Democans and Non Republicrats grab a personality figure to match the [free, public domain] use of Jefferson [Libertarians], Lincoln [GOP], and Jackson {Dems]! In his own imperfect way Teddy Roosevelt is a [flawed] but excellent choice for reformers, greens, VETSparty, constitutionalists and non establishment types in general.
TR is the only 20th President on Mount Rushmore! He is the only Chief Executive to be awarded the Nobel Prize while in office! He is the only Commander in Chief to have earned the Congressional Medal of Honor!
He is associated with Parks and preserves like no other president. He is associated with muck rakers, progressives, trust busters, populists on a broad and enduring scale.
And TR has his own propagandists, whether Instructors of seventh grade Civics Classes, or the Theodore Roosevelt Association, or various other groups. He will be remembered time and time again with centennials until the 100 years of his 1919 death. Congress Member King of Long Island [New York] is considering a centennial coin commerating his Nobel.
And he comes in a matched set! During the Bull Moose era his California running mate, Governor Hiram W. Johnson, the famous ‘Direct Democracy guru’ was just as admired as the east coast ‘Trust Buster’!
It is abolutely insane that the Green Party USA does not adopt the wind mill peace sign and TR/ Hiram Johnson as party symbols!
Post Script, Green Party legend and veterans advocate extroidanair, Napa Sentinel [Alternative Weekly] publisher Harry Martin lost his bid to be the longest serving city council member in Napa history!