Maine’s third party: A look at the influence of the state’s Green Independent Party

Other coverage: Maine’s third party: A look at the influence of the state’s Green Independent Party; History, barriers and misconceptions; The candidates; Coming: The Greens’ influence on the city council

Prior to the year 2000, the Democrats dominated Portland government. A group of citizens decided they needed to be challenged.

It wasn’t the Republicans.

Maine has the highest percentage of Green Independents in the country. Portland is their epicenter, where they hold three seats on the city council and two seats on the school board. John Eder of Portland spent four years in the Maine House of Representatives, however current Rep. Jon Hinck, D-Portland, defeated him in 2006.

Members of the Maine Green Independent Party consider themselves a safe haven from major party politics. They focus on community involvement, public inclusion in government, and environmental and fiscal sustainability. They reject special interest campaign contributions

“The fourth branch of government is the Multi-national corporations who give to both parties,” said William Linnell, a candidate for the Maine State Senate. “With a strong third party, we can keep them all honest.”

Green Independent candidates running for legislative seats are:

(Candidates are from Portland unless otherwise noted)

S.D. 8: OPEN SEAT William Linnell (G) will face Justin Alfond (D) and Eric Lusk (R)

2006 results: Incumbent Ethan Strimling (D) – 8.824; David Babin (R) – 2,433; Kelsey Perchinski (G) – 1,895

S.D. 10: OPEN SEAT Jason Bergquist (G-Brunswick) will face current Rep. Stan Gerzofsky (D-Brunswick) and Cody Gillis (R-Brunswick)

2006 results: Incumbent Beth Edmonds (D) – 10,646; John Arsenault (R) 5,182. There was no Green candidate. Edmonds is the current Senate President.

H.D. 66: OPEN SEAT David Frans (G-Brunswick) will face Alexander Cornell du Houx (D-Brunswick) and Jonathan Crimmins (R-Brunswick)

2006 results: Incumbent Stan Gerzofsky (D) – 2,118; Todd Rider (R) – 957; David Frans (G) - 363

H.D. 110: Michael Wakefield (G-Windham) will face incumbent Mark Bryant (D-Windham) and Clayton Haskell (R-Windham)

2006 results: Incumbent Mark Bryant (D) – 2,053; Clayton Haskell (R) 1,553. There was no Green candidate.

H.D. 115: OPEN SEAT Michael Hiltz (G) is running against Stephen Lovejoy (D) and Donna Bendiksen (R)

2006 results: Incumbent Glenn Cummings (D) – 2,429; Melinda Loring (R) – 615; Murrough O’Brien (G) – 359. Cummings is the current Speaker of the House.

H.D. 117: Benjamin Galvez (G) is running against incumbent Anne Haskell (D) and Phillip Haskell (R). (No relation between the Haskells)

2006 results: Incumbent Anne Haskell (D) – 2,694; David Pelletier (R) – 878; John Safarik (G) - 356

H.D. 118: Joshua Miller (G) is running against incumbent Jon Hinck (D). There is no Republican candidate.

2006 results: Jon Hinck (D) – 1,631; then incumbent John Eder (1,534)

H.D. 119: Dan Jenkins (G) is running against incumbent Herb Adams (D) and Ryan Hendrickon (R)

2006 results: Incumbent Herb Adams (D) – 1,004; Matthew Reading (G) – 845; Jason Lavoie (R) – 168

H.D. 120: OPEN SEAT Sandy Amborn (G) is running against Diane Russell (D) and Peter Doyle (R)

2006 results: Incumbent Anne Rand (D) – 1,574; Benjamin Meiklejohn (G) – 1,190

In addition, Tina Smith of Portland is seeking a council seat. She hopes to join David Marshall, an artist and sitting councilman, in helping to represent Maine’s creative economy on the council.

Jenkins said the Portland Greens continue to gain influence each year.

“We are Portland’s second party,” Jenkins said in a recent meeting with PolitickerME.

Below video: City Counciler Dave Marshall and former state House candidate Jeff Ferland talk about the local impact of the Green Party