2006 Elections

The Green Party of New York will choose its statewide candidates at a nominating convention on Sat., May 20 in Albany, New York. Rachel Treichler from the Steuben Greens is one of the candidates for attorney general.

2005 Election Results

Green Party Has Best Showing Ever in New York State

Capital District Greens Media Release, Nov. 10, 2005

The Green Party had its best electoral showing ever in New York State this year, including electing its 5th current office holder. The Greens also did well nationwide.

The Greens said their strong showing in the 2005 elections bodes well for the party obtaining at least the 50,000 votes (approximately 1%) needed to regain their official party status. While the Greens successfully sued in federal court to retain the right to enroll as Greens, their candidates are forced to comply with the more difficult ballot access rules for independent candidates.

Mary Jo Long, who pulled more than 50,000 votes for the Greens three years ago in her race for Attorney General, was elected to the Afton Town Board. She joins four other elected Green officials in Ulster and Monroe Counties.

The Greens ran Mayoral candidates in four of the state's largest cities, with civil rights advocate Dr. Alice Green pulling a stunning 25% of the vote in the City of Albany, easily surpassing the Republican vote total. The Green candidate for Albany Common Council, Dave Lussier, pulled 29% of the vote on the Green and WFP line, with most of his votes coming on the Green line. In Syracuse, former Green State Comptroller candidate Howie Hawkins pulled 5% of the vote while Judith Eniach pulled 4% in the City of Buffalo.

"The results in Albany highlight that voters are increasingly responding to the Green Party message. For Alice Green to receive 25% of the vote in a citywide election, and David Lussier to achieve 30% of the vote in a 4-way council race, both finishing second ahead of the Republicans, means that we can expect further successes here next year in our quest to regain ballot status as a party," stated Peter LaVenia, Chair of the Albany County Green Party.

Dr. Green was the Green Party nominee for Lt. Governor seven years ago when she and Al Lewis pulled 53,000 votes statewide to quality the party. Some party organizers are hoping to draft her to run for Governor next year.

In Rensselaer County, Green Party secretary Dan Spilman received votes from about 35% of the electorate, finishing third in a race for two seats on the Schodack Town Board. Green Party chair Russell Ziemba was nominated by the Democrats and Working Families Party and received over 3,300 votes in his bid for a County Legislative Seat from Troy.

In New York City, peace and labor activist Gloria Mattera qualified for $200,000 in matching funds in her race for Brooklyn Borough President, and received 17,908 votes (6.9%). Ms. Mattera, the Chair of the State Party, had pulled 20% of the vote in her prior race for a City Council position. Green City Council candidate Robyn Sklar also qualified for public campaign funds in NYC and pulled 12.9% of the vote. Jerry Kann pulled 8% of the vote in his race for a City Council position from Queens.

"Once again, voters nationwide have demonstrated their enthusiasm for Green Party candidates who make issues of social and economic justice the highlight of their platforms. In the aftermath of Katrina and the continued occupation of Iraq, the Green Party offers people an opportunity to support candidates who will be a catalyst for change," stated Mattera.

According to early election returns, Greens have won at least 19 races in November 2005, bringing the number of Greens elected in 2005 to 34.

The Greens noted that their candidates picked up an increasing number of endorsements from other groups, including local Labor Councils, Empire Pride Agenda, National Organization for Women, Sierra Club and newspapers.

In other races statewide, Darin Robbins received 25.3% for Corning Alderman in Steuben County. David Linton received 17% of the vote for Onondaga County Legislature with Cosmo Fanizi pulling 13%. Chris Hilderbrant obtained 15.1% of the vote in his run for Monroe County Legislature. Will Maksuta received 13.4% of the vote running for New Paltz Town Clerk in Ulster County.

The Greens are committed to ecology, nonviolence, grassroots democracy and social and economic justice.

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