[GPCA Updates] GPCA RELEASE: Green senate candidates only real optionfor voters opposed to war

[Jim Stauffer]

                 News Advisory
           THE GREEN PARTY OF CALIFORNIA
               www.cagreens.org


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 					     
Friday, February 10, 2006



Cindy Sheehan's decision not to run for US Senate
leaves Green Party candidates as the only real option
for millions of California voters opposed to the war in Iraq 

SACRAMENTO – The nominee of the Green Party for U.S. Senate – after
anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan bowed out of the race Thursday – may be the
only hope for millions of California voters who desperately want the war in
Iraq to end, said a trio of Green Party Senate candidates Friday.

Cindy Sheehan ended speculation she might seek public office on an anti-war
platform by announcing Thursday she would not, as had been rumored, run in
the upcoming June Primary opposing pro-war incumbent Sen. Dianne Feinstein
for the Democratic Party nomination.

The Green Party's nominee for US Senate is now the only "peace" option for
voters – including Democrats – who want the war to end, said the three
hopefuls who will face-off in the June Primary.

"I have the utmost respect for what Cindy Sheehan has been able to
accomplish. Now, without someone like her on the Democratic Primary ballot
to give peace voters an option, the only way they can make a strong
statement is by registering Green and voting in the Green Party Primary,
and then vote Green in November," said Tian Harter, one Green candidate.

And, Todd Chretien, also running in the Primary for a chance to meet
Feinstein, predicted that, had Sheehan run, "millions of Californians would
have abandoned the pro-war incumbent to support her. The senate race will
be a referendum on the war in Iraq. Sen. Feinstein wants it to continue.  I
want to bring our troops home now."

Kent Mesplay, another Green Party Senate candidate and former party
presidential candidate in the 2004 California primary, praised Cindy
Sheehan for her "determination to shine a light on the truth and to help in
whatever way she can to lead us toward a more peaceful and equitable world.
May we all encounter such genuine participants in our fledgling democracy."