Dozens of Candidates File for First Ever Statewide Green Primary

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 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 list of candidates, visit:

http://ilgp.org/elections/2008-primaries/