Ben Meiklejohn

Video: Ben Meiklejohn of Portland explains why he has jumped on board with independent presidential candidate Ralph Nader.

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

For more information, the national Green Party takes a comprehensive look at the history of Maine’s party here.

The first Green Independent to be elected to a public office was Ben Meiklejohn of Portland, who eight years ago was elected to the Portland School Committee.

Meiklejohn and Ben Chipman both been involved with the campus Greens at the University of Maine at Orono, Jenkins said. After graduating they moved to Portland and helped form the Portland Green Party, which has since become a presence in the city.

“Portland desperately needed a second party,” said Dan Jenkins, a candidate for the Maine House. “The Democrats have had a super-majority on every (local government) body for the last 40 years.”