Maine’s third party: The candidates

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

PolitickerME recently had the opportunity to sit down with several green party candidates running for state office.

A complete list of candidates can be found here, and more information on other candidates running can be found in the left sidebar on this site.

Here are mini-profiles on three candidates:

Dan Jenkins, H.D. 119

Dan Jenkins, who is running for H.D. 119, said the Green Party appealed to him through Ralph Nader’s presidential campaign in 2000 – though he was only 17 at the time.

The next year he registered with the Greens, and has associated himself with them ever since. Jenkins, 25, is pursuing a Master’s Degree in public policy at the Muskie School of Public Service.

The issues of corporate ownership, war and peace that emerged during Nader’s campaign were appealing to him.

Jenkins has previously served on the Portland Youth Advisory Council. In college, he started the campus Green Party at Goucher College in Baltimore. When he returned to Portland, he helped with several Green Party campaigns before launching his own.

He faces Herb Adams, an entrenched Democratic incumbent.

“He’s not a bad guy, but Maine needs different representation in Portland, because clearly what we have been doing hasn’t worked.”

Jenkins wants to work to promote single payer health care, alternative energy and housing in Portland.

William Linnell, S.D. 8

Linnell came to the Green Party about 10 years ago while running the fight to shut down the Maine Yankee Nuclear power plant. Then he was a Republican, and served on the Cape Elizabeth town council.

He was speaking out about his environmental concerns, and “I only found the unconditional love from the Green Party,” Linnell said. “The Green Party was unequivocal, hand down – they got the message about nuclear power. So I changed (parties).”

Now he is seeking a state Senate seat, and is focusing on promoting alternative energy in the state.

Linnell said he has also worked as a building contractor, and during this time he helped Hurricane Katrina victims in New Orleans and Texas.

After seeing one disaster situation, “I can see that we have a disaster on the way, and the Baldacci administration has taken the Katrina approach. They’re basically waiting until the storm hits.”

He hopes to put his experience working on energy issues to work in the Legislature.

There is a close divide between Democrats and Republicans in the State Senate. He sees this as just another reason Portland voters should pick him.

He said he is not sure who he would caucus with.

With a 17-17-1 split, “This seat would be the most powerful seat in the Senate. That would be great news for Portland in that this swing vote would have tremendous opportunity for real change.” He said it would be a great opportunity to secure state resources for Portland.

Joshua Miller H.D. 118

In Miller’s situation the Greens came to him, seeking another candidate to run for H.D. 118. The race was otherwise uncontested.

This is the one seat the Greens have held before, and it was taken from them in 2006 by just under 100 votes.

“I’ve just become really excited about this process, and I think I really represent what’s in 118,” Miller said. “I’m a student, I work full time, I go to school full time. I bike everywhere. My rent just went up because of oil costs. I just feel like I’m a good voice to have in the Legislature.”