[GPCA Updates] GPUS -- Greens win 60% of races this year

[Green Party of California Updates]

In late 2006 Brent McMillan, Political Director of GPUS did an analysis of
each states history of fielding candidates. He used this information to set
up a challenge for each state. Based on the past ability to field candidates
what would a field of one thousand candidates look like on a state by state
basis. You can find his results at http://www.gp.org/elections.shtml under
the heading "1000 Candidate Challenge 2008". This is only a suggested
challenge for each state to commit to running candidates to fulfill this
challenge. Many states have taken up this challenge though.

On Tuesday April 1st Greens ran for office in Massachusetts and Wisconsin.
Greens won 13 of the 22 races run so far this year - that is 60%.  There are
more to come yet in this cycle. Watch GreenLine for updates.

In Massachusetts:
On March 3, Jill Stein (I) won her re-election to Town Meeting Seat in
Lexington, MA
On Tuesday April 1st, Robert Crowner and Vincent O'Conner (I) won their
elections for Town Meeting Seat in Amherst, MA.

In Wisconsin:
Robert Browne (I) won his re-election to Douglas County Board of
Supervisors, District 2, WI.
David Conley (I) won his re-election to Douglas County Board of Supervisors,
District 25, WI.
Greg David (I) won his re-election to Jefferson County Board of Supervisors.
District 3, WI.
John Hardin (I) won his re-election to Barron County Board of Supervisors,
District 2, WI.
John Hendrick (I) won his re-election to Dane County Board of Supervisors,
District 6, WI.
Kathy Kienholz won her election to Polk County Board of Supervisors,
District 6, WI.
Wyndham Manning won his election to Dane County Board of Supervisors,
District 5, WI.
John Rendall (I) won his re-election to Portage County Board District 19, WI.
Kyle Richmond (I) won his re-election to Dane County Board of Supervisors,
District 27, WI.
Barbara Vedder (I) won her re-election to Dane County Board of Supervisors,
District 2, WI.

It's Official - Arizona Green Party to Appear on Ballot

Arizona Green Party was officially recognized as a political party in
Arizona on April 8, 2008 making it the 4th political party in Arizona
(Libertarians are the third). Thanks go out to the tireless efforts of local
Green activists as well as those folks who traveled to Arizona to help with
the petition drive. Additionally, Arizona Greens owe thanks to all those who
donated to help pay for last minute professionals to help put us over the
top and special thanks to the Ballot Access Committee for early financial
support.

The Arizona success is a glowing example of how Green Party cooperation can
help make the seemingly impossible - possible. Ballot Access efforts are
underway in Texas and Arizona has already sent people to help with the
signature gathering drive their. You are all encouraged to help in whatever
way you can to insure as many ballot lines as possible for the 2008 election
cycle.

Green Mayor Brings Open Government to Greenwich, NY

David Doonan was considering a run for public office last year, but not
necessarily for Mayor. But when then Mayor Chris McCormick, was quoted in
the local paper as saying "things are easier to get done when the public
doesn't show up" Doonan knew he had to run. "That was really the turning
point for me". Doonan said, "People felt like they were shut out of the
process, that decisions were being made without public input". Doonan made
Open Government the central issue of his campaign. It turns out that was the
right focus. Doonan won the election with more than 70 percent of the vote.
The incumbent, running for a Trustee position, garnered only 8 percent.

Since taking office on April 7th, Mayor Doonan has already lived up to his
promise to make Greenwich, NY's government more open and accountable. He has
instituted video taping of all Village Council meetings which will then be
available on-line. He's also added a Mayors report so that the public knows
what he does and what he is responsible for. Doonan, a freelance web
designer (Doonan is webmanager for the Green Party of the United States),
maintains a list of his clients on his campaign website. "Many elected
officials in NY who have second jobs do not disclose who their clients are,
leaving the potential for graft. Publishing my client list is one way to
ensure transparency when it comes to awarding village contracts. This is one
way to counter the traditional power structure".

Doonan says that building community participation and public service were
central to his campaign and to his job as Mayor. "If I had won the Mayor's
race, but had not persuaded others to step up and run for office, I would
have considered it a failure. But I got two people to run, and they are now
serving with me as Village Trustees". He's also convinced community members
to join the zoning board of appeals.

Besides winning the Mayor's race, Doonan's campaign had the added benefit of
creating a new Green Party local which meets monthly.

When asked what advice he has for prospective Green Candidates, Doonan
stresses the need to focus on local issues that effect the community you're
running in. "Not that you should hide from the larger issues, I kept a
'Bring the Troops Home' sign in my yard during my entire campaign, but find
out what the local issues are. You won't win if you don't address local
concerns. "Also, let them know who you are. My race was officially
non-partisan, but I campaigned with a Green Party button the whole time. I
never shied away from the fact that I was a Green Party member, the
webmanager for the Green Party, and also a member of the IWW".

Doonan included a union bug at the bottom of his website. He thinks it is
particularly important for Greens to include union bugs on their campaign
materials. "If we want to get labor union endorsements, we need to show that
we support organized labor".

Doonan received financial support for his campaign from both the GPUS
Coordinated Campaign Committee's campaign grant program and the Green Party
of New York.

Live Green! Vote Green!  Showing how it's truly done!

With barely three months left the 2008 Nominating Convention and Annual
Meeting plans are stepping up. Please visit the convention website at
http://www.greenparty2008.org for all information related to the convention
including transportation and lodging sharing boards, please register now for
only $225, which includes 3 meals, before the price goes up on June 15th.

The Convention and Annual Meeting is being held in Chicago Illinois from
July 10-13 in a most exciting downtown theater district, it promises to be a
great time. Our headquarters and main venue location is the Palmer House
Hilton Hotel, a beautiful historic landmark built in 1871. Please visit
http://www.hiltonfamilychicago.com for more information related to the
hotel's amenities and photos. Please note that they have offered a group
rate for our convention attendees at $205 a night for a single plus tax and
$230 for doubles. Again, visit http:///www.greenparty2008.org for room share
boards. This is an excellent rate for the theater area in downtown Chicago
in July and the Annual National Meeting Committee urges you to reserve now
to assist in keeping the meeting costs down. Please call them directly at 1
877 865 5321 and make sure you mention the group code GRP and the Green
Party by name. The hotel is right around the corner from the Chicago
Symphony Center, the location of the nominating convention, another historic
landmark built in 1904. Please visit http://www.cso.org for photos and other
information.

Beyond the nomination of one of these fine presidential candidates: Jesse
Johnson at http://jesse08.org, Cynthia McKinney at
http://www.runcynthiarun.org, Kent Mesplay at http://www.mesplay.org and Kat
Swift at http://www.voteswift.org on Saturday, the weekend has much to offer
from amazing speakers such as Malik Rahim former Black Panther and Green
Party candidate, long time community activist on various social justice
issues. Malik also co-founded the Common Ground Collective/Relief, an
organization that provides short term relief to victims of hurricane
disasters in the gulf region. Please visit
http://www.commongroundrelief.org/ for more information. Another amazing
activist speaking at the convention is our own Steering Committee member
Cliff Thornton Jr. a long time social justice activist who has done much
work on drug policy reform. Please visit http://www.efficacy-online.org/ for
more information on his work.

The workshop selection will be top notch, with expert activists from across
the country discussing an array of issues. From foreign policy issues
related to the Middle East and Iran, working toward immigrant and LGBTQ
rights or to how to campaign on a shoestring budget, attendees have the
ability for much education and continued learning.

Do not forget about the Green nightlife. We have wonderful international
reception planned for early Thursday evening to welcome our fellow Greens
from across the seven continents. In 2004 we had over 40 international
guests representing at least 15 countries. Friday evening plans include
hearing from our candidates with Saturday being more of a celibration. The
city of Chicago has a lot to offer as well, from live music, theater,
outdoor gardens and walks along Lake Michigan, there is always something to
do. Again, please visit http://www.greenparty2008.org to register and for
all information regarding the convention.

Support the Green Party buy from Online Store

The Merchandise Committee is pleased to offer an array of t-shirts, hats,
totebags, buttons, embroidered patches and more. Check out our brand new
union made baseball caps and our new Sunflower shirts with the four pillars
on the back, en espanol. Get ready for fall campaigns with our brand new
campaign kits and tabling kits. Available at Green Online Store:
https://secure.democracyinaction.com/dia/organizations/Greens/shop/shop.jsp?storefront_KEY=4


Register Green. Vote Green. Give Green.

The Green Party does not accept corporate donations. We depend entirely on
donations from people who are committed to building a powerful and
progressive alternative to the two corporate parties.

We ask you to challenge corporate influence in politics by supporting the
Green Party of the United States! Show your resistance to the status quo by
enabling us to continue organizing and mobilizing for real change. Please
help us get out our positive, progressive values to new communities, and to
deepen our involvement where we're already anchored.

Support us today and please consider becoming a sustainer (look for the
recurring donation option).
https://secure.democracyinaction.com/dia/organizations/Greens/shop/custom.jsp?dona%0A%0Ate_page_KEY=64

Green Party online shopping just got easier! Visit our improved online store.
https://secure.democracyinaction.com/dia/organizations/Greens/shop/shop.jsp?storef%0A%0Aront_KEY=4

Americans are ready for Change

America is ready for the Green Party's message. But we need your help in
bringing the message to the American people!

Donate now to the Green Party
https://secure.democracyinaction.com/dia/organizations/Greens/shop/custom.jsp?dona%0A%0Ate_page_KEY=64

Make your friends GREEN with envy. Become a card-carrying Green today!

Buy Your Green Party Card Online
https://secure.democracyinaction.com/dia/organizations/Greens/shop/custom.jsp?donate_page_KEY=1434

The latest, coolest item in the wallets of progressives is the personalized
Green Party Card. For $36.00 a year* you can be a card-carrying Green. When
you become an active supporter of the Green Party of the United States,
you'll receive our spanking-new card, which shows the world that you stand
committed to time-honored progressive values like liberty, equality,
democracy, social justice, personal responsibility and focus on the future.
In addition, you will receive a Green Party button and bumper sticker, a
one-year subscription to Green Pages, plus all of the information you need
to get involved and active as a Green. Half of your contribution will be
shared with your state's Green Party. The Future is Green!

-------------
Federal law requires political committees to use their best effort to
collect and report the name, mailing address, occupation and employer for
each individual whose contributions exceed $200 in a calendar year.
Contributions form the following individuals and entities are prohibited:
corporations, labor organizations, national banks, government contractors,
people under 18 years of age, and foreign nationals.

*$36.00 is roughly equivalent to the $1.00 paid for a one-year membership in
the Populist Party of the 1890s. The Populist Party was a multiracial,
progressive, grassroots third party of working people which agitated for
many popular progressive reforms. The Green Party of the 21st century
continues the Populist's fight for citizen empowerment and progressive
reforms at all levels today.


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