[GPCA Updates] NEWS ADVISORY: 2006 Wrap-up. Green Party Cements Spot asAlternative Choice for Voters

[Green Party of California Updates]

                  News Advisory
           THE GREEN PARTY OF CALIFORNIA
             http://www.cagreens.org


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, December 29, 2006


2006 was very good year for Green Party
of California, which cemented its position as
alternative political party for dissatisfied voters

SACRAMENTO (December 29, 2006) – The Green Party of California said today
that 2006 cemented its position as the alternative political party for the
growing number of dissatisfied voters in the state.

The party cited significant electoral gains in 2006 – punctuated by the
upset win by Gayle McLaughlin, who although outspent by about 4-1, defeated
the incumbent mayor of Richmond and became the first-ever directly elected
Green city mayor in California. Her victory gave the Greens 19 wins during
2006, and they now hold 50 elected offices in the state, from mayor to
numerous city council, boards of education and other local offices. 
 
Greens, who ran in every state constitutional election and a bevy of
candidates for Legislature, Senate and the House, also made strides. In
particular Sarah Knopp, a high school teacher who came within a few votes
of forcing incumbent Jack O'Connell into a runoff, spent just $3,000, and
finished with 17.3 percent of the vote, and nearly 696,000 votes – the most
ever garnered by a Green candidate in California.

Greens running for Congress forced Democrats and Republicans to confront
the war in Iraq and troubles at home, garnering vote totals many times the
percentage of registered Greens in their district. Barry Hermanson, running
in San Francisco's 12th Assembly district, won nearly 13 percent of the
vote, the highest percentage by any Green, or third party candidate, in the
state running against a Republican and Democratic.

California's Greens also played key roles in initiatives, including
electoral reform in Oakland. Voters there approved Measure O to authorize
Instant Runoff Voting, which allows voters more freedom to choose among all
candidates, regardless of party. Other important notes for the GPCA in 2006
included:

 * More participation in party affairs by prominent civil rights and social
justice activists, including 2006 Democratic Party gubernatorial Primary
candidate and death penalty opponent Barbara Becnel, who re-registered
Green following the June election.
 * The adoption of official party planks by the Green Party General
Assembly that would call for amnesty for all immigrants, and allow
undocumented immigrants to vote, strong support for unions, increased
protections for the elderly, an end agricultural commodity dumping and
support for strong measures to clean the state's air.