Green Party of Pennsylvania

{{Infobox political party

| name = Green Party of Pennsylvania

| logo = Green Party of Pennsylvania logo.png

| colorcode = {{party color|Green Party (US)}}

| leader1_title = Co-Chairs

| leader1_name = Timothy Runkle and Theron Gilliland Jr.

| leader2_title = Secretary

| leader2_name = Alex Casper

| leader3_title = Treasurer

| leader3_name = Jeff "J.J." Kondrich

| foundation =

| membership_year = May 2021

| membership = {{decrease}}10,018{{Cite web|url=https://www.dos.pa.gov/VotingElections/OtherServicesEvents/VotingElectionStatistics/Pages/Voter-Registration-Statistics-Archives.aspx|title=Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Voter Registration Statistics|publisher=Pennsylvania Department of State}}

| ideology = Green politics

| position = Left-wing{{Cite web |url=https://gp.org/cgi-bin/vote/propdetail?pid=835 |title=Green Party of the United States – National Committee Voting – Proposal Details |publisher=Green Party of the United States |access-date=May 24, 2020 |archive-date=February 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200212062949/https://gp.org/cgi-bin/vote/propdetail?pid=835 }}

| headquarters = Philadelphia, PA

| national = Green Party of the United States

| seats1_title = Seats in the US Senate

| seats1 = {{Composition bar|0|2|hex={{party color|Green Party (US)}}}}

| seats2_title = Seats in the US House

| seats2 = {{Composition bar|0|18|hex={{party color|Green Party (US)}}}}

| seats4_title = Seats in the State Senate

| seats4 = {{Composition bar|0|50|hex={{party color|Green Party (US)}}}}

| seats5_title = Seats in the State House

| seats5 = {{Composition bar|0|203|hex={{party color|Green Party (US)}}}}

| seats6_title = Elected Officials

| seats6 = 19 (July 2020){{cite web|url= http://www.gpofpa.org/elected_officials |title=Elected Officials – Green Party of Pennsylvania |publisher=Green Party of Pennsylvania |language=en |access-date=July 23, 2020}}

| colors = {{Color box|{{party color|Green Party (United States)}}|border=darkgray}} Green

| website = {{URL|gpofpa.org}}

| state = Pennsylvania

| country = United States

}}

The Green Party of Pennsylvania is the Pennsylvania state party affiliate of the Green Party of the United States. Between 2016 and 2020, the party was recognized as a minor political party under Pennsylvania law due to receiving the required voter turnout in the 2016 election.{{Cite web|url=http://www.gp.org/victory_for_pa_greens|title=The Green Party of Pennsylvania declares victory in the general election|last=Combs|first=Kristin|last2=Kane|first2=Hillary|date=November 21, 2016|website=Green Party of the United States|access-date=February 8, 2017}}{{cite web |url=http://www.buckscountyherald.com/news_stories/11-24-16/Green-Party-official.html |title=Green Party is official |work=Bucks County Herald |language=en |access-date=February 8, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211155453/http://www.buckscountyherald.com/news_stories/11-24-16/Green-Party-official.html |archive-date=February 11, 2017 |df=mdy }} The voter threshold was not met in 2020 or since; as such, it is currently recognized as a political body.

As of early 2018, the party has at least 19 members elected to office statewide.

Party platform and ideology

The Green Party of Pennsylvania supports the Ten Key Values of the Green Party of the United States.

The party platform includes: creation of a single payer universal healthcare system, establishment of a living wage, decriminalization of cannabis, a ban on fracking and nuclear energy, investment in sustainable energy such as solar and wind, and improvements to the state election system.{{cite web|url=https://www.gpofpa.org/platform |title=Platform – Green Party of Pennsylvania |publisher=Green Party of Pennsylvania |language=en |date=June 5, 2008 |access-date=April 15, 2018}}

Party structure

The Green Party of Pennsylvania's highest body is the State Committee, made up of delegates from county affiliate parties, and is governed by internal bylaws. In keeping with the Green Party's key value of "decentralization", county affiliates draft their own bylaws and procedures, including how to nominate and elect delegates to the State Committee. The party also elects a Steering Committee of two co-chairs, one secretary, one treasurer, and three at-large Steering Committee members.{{Cite web |title=GPPA Leaders 2025 |url=https://www.gpofpa.org/gppa_leaders_2025 |access-date=2025-03-03 |website=Green Party of Pennsylvania}}

In addition to the governing State Committee, the party operates a number of teams for critical functions, including: the Core Team (formerly Operations), Communications Team, Finance Team, and GreenWave Team.{{cite web |url=https://www.gpofpa.org/committees |title=Committees |publisher=Green Party of Pennsylvania |access-date=April 15, 2018 |archive-date=April 15, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180415124850/https://www.gpofpa.org/committees }}

The Green Party of Pennsylvania nominates electoral candidates by caucus instead of primary elections.{{cite web|url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-16330345.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211155113/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-16330345.html |archive-date=February 11, 2017 |title=Pa. Greens To Nominate By Caucus; Some Irked Over Exclusion From Primaries |last=Knapp |first=Tom |date=August 21, 2008 |work=Intelligencer Journal |language=en |access-date=February 8, 2017}} During presidential election years, electoral delegates to the GPUS (Green Party of the United States) Presidential Nominating Convention are determined by closed primary.{{Cite web |date=December 10, 2023 |author=David Ochmanowicz |title=Green Party Calls for PA Presidential Primary in February 2024 |url=https://www.gpofpa.org/green_party_calls_for_pa_presidential_primary_in_february_2024 |access-date=2025-03-03 |website=Green Party of Pennsylvania}}{{Cite web |date=January 1, 2024 |author=David Ochmanowicz |title=Green Party of Pennsylvania Presidential Primary 2024 |url=https://www.gpofpa.org/green_party_of_pennsylvania_presidential_primary_2024 |access-date=2025-03-03 |website=Green Party of Pennsylvania}}{{Cite web |title=Green Party of Pennsylvania Announces First Ever Primary Winner |url=https://www.gpofpa.org/green_party_of_pennsylvania_announces_first_ever_primary_winner |access-date=2025-03-03 |website=Green Party of Pennsylvania}}

As of early 2018, 24 county chapters are recognized by the state party, the largest of which are the Green Party of Philadelphia, and the Green Party of Allegheny County (Pittsburgh region).{{cite web|url=https://www.gpofpa.org/counties|title=Counties|access-date=April 15, 2018}}

Current elected officials

At least 19 persons affiliated with the party have been elected to office in the state of Pennsylvania.

class="wikitable" \|+ List of Green Party officials, with position occupied and county of office ! scope="col"\| Official ! scope="col"\| Current position ! scope="col"\| County
scope="row"\| Jay Ting Walker \| Pittsburgh Inspector of Elections \| rowspan="2"\| Allegheny County
scope="row"\| Tara Yaney \| Edgewood Borough Council
scope="row"\| Jim Keller \| West Reading Borough Judge of Elections \| rowspan="4"\| Berks County
scope="row"\| David Kurzweg \| Cumru Township Judge of Elections
scope="row"\| Joseph Reeves \| City of Reading Inspector of Elections
scope="row"\| Julia Zion \| Maxatawny Township Judge of Elections
scope="row"\| Stuart Chen-Hayes \| Newtown Township Judge of Elections \| rowspan="3"\| Bucks County
scope="row"\| Paul Notwick \| Bristol Township Judge of Elections
scope="row"\| Dave Ochmanowicz \| Quakertown Community School Board
scope="row"\| Michael Bagdes-Canning \| Mayor of Cherry Valley{{cite web \|last1=Ochmanowicz \|first1=Dave \|title=Michael Bagdes-Canning for PA Lieutenant Governor \|url=https://www.gpofpa.org/michael_bagdes_canning_for_pa_lieutenant_governor \|website=Green Party of Pennsylvania \|access-date=13 March 2022 \|date=10 March 2022 \|quote=Bagdes-Canning is a husband, father, and grandfather living in Cherry Valley Borough, Butler County, where he has held elected office for 33 years. He is currently Mayor.}} \| Butler County
scope="row"\| William Pilkonis \| Scranton Judge of Elections \| Lackawanna County
scope="row"\| Tim Runkle \| Elizabethtown Judge of Elections \| Lancaster County
scope="row"\| Cem Zeytinoglu \| Stroudsburg School Board \| Monroe County
scope="row"\| Kristin Combs \| Philadelphia Judge of Elections \| rowspan="3"\| Philadelphia County
scope="row"\| Olivia Faison \| Philadelphia Inspector of Elections
scope="row"\| Ethan Leatherbarrow \| Philadelphia Judge of Elections
scope="row"\| Kerry Foose \| Lenox Township Judge of Elections \| Susquehanna County
scope="row"\| David Kennedy \| Overfield Township Auditor \| rowspan="2"\| Wyoming County
scope="row"\| Jay Sweeney \| Falls Township Auditor

class="wikitable"

|+ List of Green Party officials, with position occupied and county of office

! scope="col"| Official

! scope="col"| Current position

! scope="col"| County

scope="row"| Jay Ting Walker

| Pittsburgh Inspector of Elections

| rowspan="2"| Allegheny County

scope="row"| Tara Yaney

| Edgewood Borough Council

scope="row"| Jim Keller

| West Reading Borough Judge of Elections

| rowspan="4"| Berks County

scope="row"| David Kurzweg

| Cumru Township Judge of Elections

scope="row"| Joseph Reeves

| City of Reading Inspector of Elections

scope="row"| Julia Zion

| Maxatawny Township Judge of Elections

scope="row"| Stuart Chen-Hayes

| Newtown Township Judge of Elections

| rowspan="3"| Bucks County

scope="row"| Paul Notwick

| Bristol Township Judge of Elections

scope="row"| Dave Ochmanowicz

| Quakertown Community School Board

scope="row"| Michael Bagdes-Canning

| Mayor of Cherry Valley{{cite web |last1=Ochmanowicz |first1=Dave |title=Michael Bagdes-Canning for PA Lieutenant Governor |url=https://www.gpofpa.org/michael_bagdes_canning_for_pa_lieutenant_governor |website=Green Party of Pennsylvania |access-date=13 March 2022 |date=10 March 2022 |quote=Bagdes-Canning is a husband, father, and grandfather living in Cherry Valley Borough, Butler County, where he has held elected office for 33 years. He is currently Mayor.}}

| Butler County

scope="row"| William Pilkonis

| Scranton Judge of Elections

| Lackawanna County

scope="row"| Tim Runkle

| Elizabethtown Judge of Elections

| Lancaster County

scope="row"| Cem Zeytinoglu

| Stroudsburg School Board

| Monroe County

scope="row"| Kristin Combs

| Philadelphia Judge of Elections

| rowspan="3"| Philadelphia County

scope="row"| Olivia Faison

| Philadelphia Inspector of Elections

scope="row"| Ethan Leatherbarrow

| Philadelphia Judge of Elections

scope="row"| Kerry Foose

| Lenox Township Judge of Elections

| Susquehanna County

scope="row"| David Kennedy

| Overfield Township Auditor

| rowspan="2"| Wyoming County

scope="row"| Jay Sweeney

| Falls Township Auditor

History

= Presidential elections =

Since 1996, the national Green Party has run a candidate for president of the United States. In 2000, the Green Party of Pennsylvania placed Ralph Nader, the nominee of the Green Party of the United States, on the statewide presidential ballot. The highest vote total came in 2000, when Nader received over 103,000 votes. The lowest vote total came in 2008, when Cynthia McKinney was the nominee. Her campaign received only 71 votes. Nader, who was also on the ballot as an independent candidate, received more than 42,000 votes.

class="wikitable" \|+Green Party presidential nominees and votes received in Pennsylvania
scope="col"\| Year !scope="col"\| Nominee !scope="col"\| Votes (percentage)
scope="row"\| 2000 \| Ralph Nader \| style="text-align:right;"\| 103,392 (2.10%)
scope="row"\| 2004 \| David Cobb \| style="text-align:right;"\| 6,319 (0.10%)
scope="row"\| 2008 \| Cynthia McKinney \| style="text-align:right;"\| 71 (<0.01%)
scope="row"\| 2012 \| Jill Stein \| style="text-align:right;"\| 21,341 (0.37%)
scope="row"\| 2016 \| Jill Stein \| style="text-align:right;"\| 49,941 (0.81%)

class="wikitable"

|+Green Party presidential nominees and votes received in Pennsylvania

scope="col"| Year

!scope="col"| Nominee

!scope="col"| Votes (percentage)

scope="row"| 2000

| Ralph Nader

| style="text-align:right;"| 103,392 (2.10%)

scope="row"| 2004

| David Cobb

| style="text-align:right;"| 6,319 (0.10%)

scope="row"| 2008

| Cynthia McKinney

| style="text-align:right;"| 71 (<0.01%)

scope="row"| 2012

| Jill Stein

| style="text-align:right;"| 21,341 (0.37%)

scope="row"| 2016

| Jill Stein

| style="text-align:right;"| 49,941 (0.81%)

=2006 United States Senate election=

In 2006 the Green Party attempted to run Carl Romanelli for the 2006 United States Senate election in Pennsylvania. However, Romanelli was removed from the ballot by Judge James R. Kelley due to insufficient valid signatures on his nominating petition.{{cite news |last=Raffaele |first=Martha |title=Green Party Candidate For Senate Off Pa. Ballot |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/2006/09/26/green-party-candidate-for-senate-off-pa-ballot/6a26b49f-b38c-4a8b-8830-2345bc777e6b/ |access-date=19 May 2021 |work=Washington Post |date=26 September 2006}}

=2014 state and federal elections=

In 2014, the party nominated Paul Glover for governor of Pennsylvania.{{cite web|url=http://www.politicspa.com/green-party-nominates-glover-for-governor/55736/|title=Green Party Nominates Glover for Governor|last=Foster|first=Brittany|date=March 4, 2014|publisher=Politics PA|language=en |access-date=January 4, 2017}}

=2016 presidential election and election audit lawsuit=

Dr. Jill Stein was again the party's candidate for president in 2016.{{cite web|url=http://www.collegian.psu.edu/news/campus/article_461b1b9c-7eb7-11e6-818e-93290c5c50f7.html |title=Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein to visit Penn State on Wednesday |last=Kalmowitz|first=Andrew |date=September 19, 2016|publisher=The Collegian (Penn State) |language=en |access-date=January 4, 2017|location=State College, Pennsylvania}} Following the election, the Stein campaign filed in Pennsylvania court for a recount, citing insecure electronic voting systems and the lack of paper audit trail.{{cite web|url=http://www.philly.com/philly/news/politics/presidential/20161206_Stein_lawyers_take_Pa__recount_battle_to_federal_court.html|title=Stein lawyers Pa recount to court|date=December 5, 2016|access-date=April 15, 2018}} The request was later denied by a federal judge.{{cite web |url=http://www.wfmz.com/news/federal-judge-rejects-pa-recount-green-party-calls-for-changes/208214036 |title=Federal judge rejects Pa. recount, Green Party calls for changes |date=December 13, 2016 |publisher=WFMZ-TV |access-date=January 4, 2017 |location=Reading, Pennsylvania |archive-date=January 5, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170105175906/http://www.wfmz.com/news/federal-judge-rejects-pa-recount-green-party-calls-for-changes/208214036 }}

=2017 elections and lawsuit=

In 2017, the previous 2012 Green Party vice presidential candidate Cheri Honkala was nominated for Pennsylvania State Representative in District 197 in Philadelphia for the special election to be held in March 2017.{{cite web |url=http://www.gpofpa.org/green_party_endorses_cheri_honkala |title=Green Party endorses Cheri Honkala |last=Kane |first=Hillary |date=February 2, 2017 |publisher=Green Party of Pennsylvania |language=en |access-date=February 8, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211075926/http://www.gpofpa.org/green_party_endorses_cheri_honkala |archive-date=February 11, 2017 |df=mdy }}{{cite web|url=http://www.phillyrecord.com/2017/02/pols-on-the-street-honkalas-smart-move/ |title=POLS ON THE STREET: Honkala's Smart Move |last=Shaheeli |first=Joe |date=February 2, 2017|publisher=Philadelphia Public Record |language=en |access-date=February 8, 2017|location=Philadelphia, PA}}

Shortly after the election, Honkala and the Green Party of Pennsylvania filed a federal lawsuit alleging voter intimidation and election fraud during the special election and calling for a new election to be held.{{cite web|url=http://www.phillyvoice.com/honkala-will-seek-void-197th-election-alleging-massive-fraud-and-misconduct/ |title=Honkala will sue to void 197th election |work=Philly Voice |publisher=WWB Holdings |date=March 23, 2017 |access-date=April 15, 2018}} In April 2018, one official was sentenced to probation for one year due to election misconduct, with the remaining defendants awaiting trial in early May 2018.{{cite web|url=http://www.phillyvoice.com/he-shouldnt-have-worked-polls-and-now-he-cant-vote-four-years/ |title=He shouldn't have worked the polls |last=Hickey |first=Brian |work=Philly Voice |publisher=WWB Holdings |date=April 4, 2018 |access-date=April 15, 2018}}

In 2017, Jules Mermelstein was the nominee for the Superior Court of Pennsylvania. He received 106,969 votes in the general election, and 1.4% of the vote in a nine-way race with four candidates elected. A number of other candidates also ran for local positions including mayor, township council, and school board.

=2018 state and federal elections=

In 2018, Paul Glover was nominated for governor of Pennsylvania once again.{{cite web|url=https://www.gpofpa.org/glover_2018|title=Glover 2018 – Green Party of Pennsylvania |website=Green Party of Pennsylvania |date=April 4, 2018|access-date=April 15, 2018}}

Jocolyn Bowser-Bostick was the party nominee for lieutenant governor of Pennsylvania.{{cite web|url=https://www.gpofpa.org/candidates2018|title=Glover 2018|date=April 4, 2018|access-date=April 15, 2018|archive-date=May 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180523011534/https://www.gpofpa.org/candidates2018}}

Neal Gale was the party nominee for US Senate.{{cite web|url=http://www.gp.org/gale_for_senate |title=Neal Gale Announces Run for U.S. Senate in PA - www.gp.org |publisher=Green Party of the United States |date=March 22, 2018 |access-date=April 15, 2018}}

Brianna Johnston was the party nominee for US Congress in PA-07 (Special Election){{Cite web |url=https://www.gpofpa.org/candidates2018 |title=Candidates 2018 |website=Green Party of Pennsylvania |access-date=September 25, 2018 |archive-date=August 15, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180815192647/https://www.gpofpa.org/candidates2018 }}

Three other candidates were also endorsed for state office.{{cite web |url=https://www.gpofpa.org/candidates2018 |title=Green Party of Pennsylvania Nominates Seven Candidates for 2018 |date=March 28, 2018 |access-date=April 15, 2018 |website=Green Party of Pennsylvania |archive-date=May 23, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180523011534/https://www.gpofpa.org/candidates2018 }}

=2020 state and federal elections and ballot access lawsuit due to COVID-19=

In 2020, Timothy Runkle was nominated for state treasurer, Olivia Faison was nominated for auditor general, and Richard L. Weiss, Esq., was nominated for attorney general.{{cite web|url=https://www.greenslate2020.org/ |title=A Green Pennsylvania |website=greenslate2020.org |publisher=The Green Party of Pennsylvania |date=June 17, 2020 |access-date=June 17, 2020}} Several candidates for state legislative offices were also endorsed.{{cite web|url=https://www.greenslate2020.org/legislative |title=Legislative Offices – A Green Pennsylvania |website=greenslate2020.org |publisher=The Green Party of Pennsylvania |date=June 17, 2020 |access-date=June 17, 2020}}

On May 15, 2020, the party filed suit in the US Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, demanding relief from unconstitutional election laws alleged to be impossible to meet under emergency Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) measures declared by Governor Tom Wolf.{{cite web|url=https://www.gpofpa.org/pa_green_party_seeks_federal_court_relief_from_unconstitutional_election_requirements_2020 |title=PA Green Party Seeks Federal Court Relief from Unconstitutional Election Requirements – Green Party of Pennsylvania |publisher=The Green Party of Pennsylvania |date=May 18, 2020 |access-date=June 17, 2020}}

=2024 U.S. presidential, U.S. Senate, and PA State Attorney General elections=

In 2024, registered Green party members residing in Pennsylvania were invited to vote in the GPPA presidential primary.{{Cite web |date=December 10, 2023 |author=David Ochmanowicz |title=Green Party Calls for PA Presidential Primary in February 2024 |url=https://www.gpofpa.org/green_party_calls_for_pa_presidential_primary_in_february_2024 |access-date=2025-03-03 |website=Green Party of Pennsylvania}} Voting took place over a two-week period. Members were able to cast votes electronically or by postal mail; members who desired to write in a candidate were given the option to do so by postal mail.{{Cite web |date=January 1, 2024 |author=David Ochmanowicz |title=Green Party of Pennsylvania Presidential Primary 2024 |url=https://www.gpofpa.org/green_party_of_pennsylvania_presidential_primary_2024 |access-date=2025-03-03 |website=Green Party of Pennsylvania}} Jill Stein and Jasmine Sherman were the winners of the primary, with Stein earning ten delegates and Sherman earning three delegates. Jorge Zavala and write-in candidates did not earn any delegates.{{Cite web |title=Green Party of Pennsylvania Announces First Ever Primary Winner |url=https://www.gpofpa.org/green_party_of_pennsylvania_announces_first_ever_primary_winner |access-date=2025-03-03 |website=Green Party of Pennsylvania}}

Pike County small business owner Leila Hazou was nominated by consensus to run for U.S. Senate.{{Cite web |date=June 17, 2024 |title=Leila Hazou for Senate |url=https://www.gp.org/leila_hazou_for_senate |access-date=2025-03-03 |website=Green Party US}}{{Cite web |date=September 30, 2024 |author=David Ochmanowicz |title=The Time Has Come |url=https://www.gpofpa.org/the_time_has_come |access-date=2025-03-03 |website=Green Party of Pennsylvania}} Hazou decided to run for U.S. Senate after confronting Sen. Bob Casey on his support for the genocide of Palestinians by U.S.-supported Israeli army. She confirmed to Casey, "I am a Palestinian woman, and that's why I'll be running against you in this election. You'll see an Arab woman's name on the ballot."{{Cite web |title='Fascism is Already Here:' Palestinian-American Senate Candidate Leila Hazou on the Urgency of Legitimizing Third-Party Voting |url=https://www.albustanseeds.org/news/fascism-is-already-here-palestinian-american-senate-candidate-leila-hazou-on-the-urgency-of-legitimizing-third-party-voting |access-date=2025-03-03 |website=Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture |language=en-US}}

Allegheny County lawyer Richard Weiss was nominated by consensus to run for PA state Attorney General.{{Cite web |date=September 30, 2024 |author=David Ochmanowicz |title=The Time Has Come |url=https://www.gpofpa.org/the_time_has_come |access-date=2025-03-03 |website=Green Party of Pennsylvania}} Weiss' platform included supporting criminal justice reforms that ended cash bail, decriminalized drug use and sex work, and established citizens' police review boards with strong police professionalism standards.{{Cite web |title=Leila Hazou for U.S. Senate; Richard L. Weiss at Green Party of Pennsylvania |url=https://www.gpofpa.org/tags/leila_hazou_for_u_s_senate_richard_l_weiss |access-date=2025-03-03 |website=Green Party of Pennsylvania}}

References

External links

{{official website|http://www.gpofpa.org}}

Category:Political parties in Pennsylvania

Category:State and local socialist parties in the United States