Wednesday, November 7, 2007
CONTACT:
Patrick Kelly, 773-203-9631, media@ilgp.org
Phil Huckelberry, 309-268-9974, phil.huckelberry@ilgp.org
DOZENS OF CANDIDATES FILE FOR FIRST EVER STATEWIDE GREEN PRIMARY
Springfield - At least 32 Green Party candidates have filed their petitions to run for public office today, a new record for the rapidly growing state political party, and many more filed for committeeperson posts.
Among the candidates are four presidential candidates, nine running for U.S. Congress, six running for state legislature and several running for county and other local offices across the state.
"This truly is a monumental moment for the Green Party," says congressional campaign coordinator Walter Pituc. "Previously, we'd only had one congressional candidate ever in Illinois Green Party history. This year, we had candidates file in nine districts. That's pretty remarkable growth, and we're only going to continue to grow beyond this election."
Those running for U.S. Congress include author and Berwyn library trustee Jerome Pohlen (3rd); economist Alan Auguston (5th); activist Moe Shanfield (9th); Navy Reserves veteran David Kalbfleisch (10th); Iraq War veteran and former Heartland Community College Board student trustee Jason Wallace (11th); IT project manager Rodger Jennings (12th); software engineer Steve Alesch (13th); McHenry Community College trustee Scott Summers (16th); and retired coal miner Vic Roberts (19th).
The Illinois Green Party also filed petitions on behalf of presidential candidates college professor Jared Ball, Green Party activist Howie Hawkins, former Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney and air quality inspector Kent Mesplay.
Dozens more are running for precinct/ward/township committeepeople.
In 2006, the Illinois Green Party gathered 39,300 signatures to get Rich Whitney and five other candidates on the ballot for statewide offices. Whitney earned 10% of the vote in the general election -- twice as many votes as needed to "establish" the Green Party in Illinois. As an established political party, the Greens enjoy greater ballot access, having to collect fewer signatures. Along with that, the Greens participate in the Feb. 5, 2008, primary, giving voters in most areas the chance to pull a Green ballot for the first time.
The campaign filings here makes the Illinois Green Party one of the most active Green organizations in the nation, setting the stage for the 2008 Green Party National Convention, to be held in Chicago on July 10-13.
For a complete list of candidates, visit www.ilgp.org.