The Maine Green Party is perhaps the strongest state affiliate of any national third party in America. It has elected and re-elected a state legislator, and its most recent gubernatorial candidate, Pat LaMarche, polled double digits in 2006. Saturday, the party held its state convention. The party is running 13 candidates for state house and state senate.
“We’re committed to energizing local committees and county committees,” said state party chair Lynn Williams. “It’s time for us to reach out into some of the more rural areas where we have strong membership.”
The Maine Greens also selected delegates to the Green Party’s national convention, which will be held in Chicago, July 10-13. Only California has more delegates.
Two candidates seeking the presidential nomination — Kat Swift and Jesse Johnson — were in attendance. Cynthia McKinney had a speaker on her behalf, and Kent Mesplay sent a letter. Earlier this year, the Maine Greens held caucuses, in which McKinney received more than 80 percent of the vote.
Two-time Green Party nominee Ralph Nader is running as an Independent this year.
Approximately 55 people attended the convention, 44 of whom could be delegates in Chicago.
UPDATE:Â Richard Winger of Ballot Access News notes that the Green legislative candidates were not nominated at their convention, but rather have qualified for the Green primaries in June.Â