2016 Green Party presidential primaries

The 2016 Green Party presidential primaries were a series of primaries, caucuses and state conventions in which voters elected delegates to represent a candidate for the Green Party's nominee for President of the United States at the 2016 Green National Convention. The primaries, held in numerous states on various dates from January to July 2016, featured elections publicly funded and held as an alternative ballot, concurrent with the Democratic and Republican primaries, and elections privately funded by the Green Party, held non-concurrently with the major party primaries. Over 400 delegates to the Green National Convention were elected in these primaries, with a candidate needing a simple majority of these delegates to become the party's nominee for president.[1][2]

2016 Green Party presidential primaries

February 17 – July 31, 2016

402 delegates to the Green National Convention
202 delegates votes needed to win
 
Candidate Jill Stein Others / Uncommitted William Kreml
Home state Massachusetts South Carolina
Delegate count 269½ 112¼ 20¼
Contests won 36 0 1
Popular vote 13,240 3,957 654
Percentage 74.2% 22.1% 3.7%

First place (popular vote or delegate count)
     Jill Stein     William Kreml

Previous Green nominee

Jill Stein

Green nominee

Jill Stein

A total of six candidates stood in the primaries, including the preceding Green nominee for president in the 2012 presidential election, Jill Stein, who sought the nomination for a second time. Other candidates included Sedinam Moyowasifza-Curry, who had previously worked as a campaign manager for the presidential campaign of the Green Party's 2008 nominee, Cynthia McKinney, in addition to singer-songwriter and Earth First! activist Darryl Cherney, perennial candidate Kent Mesplay, University of South Carolina professor William Kreml, and youth rights activist Elijah Manley.

Formal recognition is a requirement to be the Green Party's nominee.[3] On May 4, the Green Party of the United States formally recognized William Kreml and Jill Stein as candidates for its presidential nomination. On June 15, the Stein campaign announced that it had received 203 delegates, enough to win the nomination on the first ballot at the National Convention. Jill Stein formally won the nomination on August 6, during the 2016 Green National Convention[4]

As the Green Party presidential candidate in the 2016 United States presidential election Stein received 1,457,222 votes or 1.06% of the popular vote.[5] Stein received zero electoral college votes.

Background

The 2016 United States presidential election will be the fourth to be contested by the Green Party of the United States since they split from the Greens/Green Party USA (G/GPUSA) in 2001. The 2004 presidential election saw Green nominee David Cobb appear on ballots in 27 states plus the District of Columbia, and received 0.10% of the popular vote, losing out to many other candidates and parties on the ballot, including third-placed independent Ralph Nader, who had been the presidential nominee of the G/GPUSA in the 1996 and 2000 elections.[6] In the 2008 election, Cynthia McKinney was nominated as the Green Party's candidate for the presidency and had ballot access to 32 states plus DC. However, McKinney insignificantly improved upon Cobb's performance, capturing only 0.12% of the popular vote in an election that also saw Nader finish a strong third behind the Democratic and Republican parties.[7]

Having received minimal publicity in the previous elections, thus contributing to the low voting share that the party received, the Green Party gained significant exposure and media attention in the lead-up to the 2012 Green National Convention and the 2012 presidential election, starting with media personality Roseanne Barr's announcement of her presidential run with the Green Party.[8][9][10] Using the publicity gained from the announcement, Barr praised the Green Party and championed their beliefs through interviews and public statements, which were often profane and harshly critical of both the Democratic and Republican parties.[11][12] Barr, however, lost the nomination at the 2012 Green National Convention to physician and activist Jill Stein, who had gained the support of Green Party delegates through her "Green New Deal" platform of progressive economic policies centered on the prevention of future financial crisises and the acceleration of global warming.[13][14] Stein's campaign for the presidency focused mostly on keeping the publicity gained by the Green Party and gaining support from independents and dissenting Democratic and Republican voters, often echoing resentment towards the two parties.[14] This included a court challenge against the Commission on Presidential Debates by Stein that sought to include her in the official presidential election debates.[15][16] Stein's campaign also gained media attention and exposure through a series of nonviolent protests, including those against the presidential debates,[17][18] the Keystone XL pipeline,[19] and foreclosures,[20] which had Stein arrested, and even jailed, numerous times.[21]

On election day, Stein oversaw a relatively sharp rise in the Green Party's popularity, earning 0.36% of the popular vote (469,628 votes), across the Green Party's ballot access in 36 states plus DC.[22] The result was triple the amount Cynthia McKinney received in 2008, pushing the Green Party from a lower-tier third party to the second most popular third party, trailing behind the Libertarian Party, who had nominated the popular former Governor of New Mexico Gary Johnson as their presidential candidate, also setting numerous Libertarian Party and presidential third party records.[23] The election also notably made Stein the most successful female presidential candidate in U.S. history, surpassing Lenora Fulani's bid for the presidency in the 1988 election, with the New Alliance Party, who had ballot access in all states plus DC and earned 217,219 votes that year.[24] Despite her success, however, Stein's campaign was criticized by those who felt that she had failed to capitalise on her momentum and gain an even bigger success.[25]

Candidates

The national Green Party of the United States officially recognized two candidates, Jill Stein and William Kreml,[26] while four additional candidates have appeared on several state—or territory—ballots.[27][28]

Candidate Most recent position Campaign Projected Delegates Delegations with plurality
Candidates formally recognized by GPUS

Jill Stein
Lexington Town Meeting member
(2005–2011)

(Campaign • Endorsements • Website)
269.5 / 402
(67%)
34
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, HI IL, IA, LGC, LA, MA, MI, MS, MD, ME, MN, MO, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, TN, TX, VA, WA, DC, WV, WI, YGC

William Kreml
Distinguished Professor Emeritus,
University of South Carolina

Endorsed Jill Stein[29]
(Website)
20.25 / 402
(5.05%)
1
SC
Other candidates


Sedinam Moyowasifza-Curry
People's National Convention organizer (Website)
13 / 402
(3.48%)
None

Elijah Manley
Chapter President of the National Youth Rights Association, Florida State Director of the Alliance Against Corporal Punishment
(2015–Present)

Endorsed Jill Stein
(Website)
10 / 402
(2.49%)
None

Darryl Cherney
Earth First! organizer
(1980–present)

Endorsed Jill Stein
(Website)
7 / 402
(2.24%)
None

Kent Mesplay
Inspector at the Air Pollution Control
District of San Diego County

(2001–2015)

(Website)
6 / 402
(1.74%)
None
Alternate ballot options
Other or None of the above N/A
10 / 402
(2.49%)
None

Debates

The Green Party of New Mexico and Students Organizing Action for Peace hosted a debate on April 9 at the University of New Mexico's Student Union Building. The debate was streamed online through Burque Media Productions. All five candidates recognized by the national party were invited.[30][31]

RT America announced that it would broadcast a Green Party presidential debate on May 9, 2016, featuring Green Party candidates Jill Stein, Kent Mesplay and Sedinam Kinamo Christin Moyowasifza Curry.[32] The debate was moderated by the hosts of the RT America program Watching the Hawks, Tyrel Ventura and Tabetha Wallace.[33]

Results

WinningProjected delegates
DateStateCandidateVotePercentSteinKremlCurryMesplayCherneyManleyOtherTotal
February 17IllinoisJill Stein11987%2010000223
March 1MassachusettsJill Stein76848%501000410
MinnesotaJill Stein7084%40300007
March 19MaineJill Stein--901000111
March 22ArizonaJill Stein68879%50010006
April 2DelawareJill Stein14100%40000004
April 3VirginiaJill Stein3576%30010004
ColoradoJill Stein--50000005
OhioJill Stein-61%62100009
April 5Young GreensJill Stein6692%20000002
April 10TexasJill Stein--1513220023
April 16WisconsinJill Stein--71000008
April 17New JerseyJill Stein--50000005
April 30PennsylvaniaJill Stein5083%81000009
ConnecticutJill Stein2489%60000017
MissouriJill Stein--40000004
New MexicoJill Stein--31000004
South CarolinaWilliam Kreml1356%35000008
May 15WashingtonJill Stein--50000005
May 21MississippiJill Stein--40000004
OregonJill Stein--60100018
Rhode IslandJill Stein--40000004
May 28HawaiiJill Stein--31000004
June 4GeorgiaJill Stein--31000004
TennesseeJill Stein--½000004
June 7CaliforniaJill Stein11,20676%4023250050
June 11New YorkJill Stein12789%1610000118
June 12MarylandJill Stein5196%60000006
June 14Washington, DCJill Stein--4¼000004
June 25[34]North CarolinaJill Stein-40000004
June 26NebraskaJill Stein--40000004
June 28Lavender GreensJill Stein--20000002
July 9IowaJill Stein--31000004
July 16West VirginiaJill Stein--40000004
July 30LouisianaJill Stein--41-4
July 31MichiganJill Stein--15½-15
FloridaJill Stein-58.88%[35]15000010025
-Other----------73
TotalUnited States269½20.25
13671010402

Map

  Jill Stein
  William Kreml
  No contest

See also

National Conventions

Presidential primaries

References

  1. "Green Party Presidential Campaign Calendar 2015–2016". Green Party of the United States. February 11, 2016. Retrieved February 20, 2016.
  2. "Rules of the Presidential Nominating Convention of the Green Party of the United States". Green Party of the United States. February 11, 2016. Retrieved February 20, 2016.
  3. "Green Party formally recognizes two presidential candidates". Green Party Watch. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
  4. "Dr. Jill Stein secures Green Presidential nomination, rises to 5% in national poll". Jill 2016. Retrieved June 15, 2016.
  5. Leip, David. "2016 Presidential Election Results". Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections. Retrieved February 27, 2017.
  6. "2004 Election Results" (PDF). Federal Electoral Commission. United States Congress. January 2005. Retrieved March 17, 2016.
  7. "2008 Election Results for the U.S. President, the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives" (PDF). Federal Electoral Commission. United States Congress. January 2009. Retrieved March 17, 2016.
  8. Johanson, Mark (August 5, 2011). "Roseanne Barr to Run for President --Just Kidding, No Honest, Really". International Business Times. IBT Media. Retrieved March 17, 2016.
  9. Rathe, Adam (August 5, 2011). "Roseanne Barr in the White House? TV star says, 'I am running for President'". New York Daily News. Daily News, L.P. Retrieved March 17, 2016.
  10. Hertzfeld, Laura (February 2, 2012). "President Roseanne? Comedian running as Green Party candidate". Entertainment Weekly. Time Inc. Retrieved March 17, 2016.
  11. Molloy, Tim (February 3, 2012). "Roseanne Barr Wants Green Party Presidential Nomination". Reuters. Thomson Reuters Corporation. Retrieved March 17, 2016.
  12. Garofoli, Joe (May 15, 2012). "Roseanne Barr seeks Green Party presidential spot". SFGate (San Francisco Chronicle). Hearst Corporation. Retrieved March 17, 2016.
  13. Hesse, Monica (July 15, 2012). "Green Party convention-goers are ready to take on President Obama, Mitt Romney". The Washington Post. Nash Holdings LLC. Retrieved March 17, 2016.
  14. Keyes, Allison (July 15, 2012). "Green Party Pick Gives Democrats Brunt of Criticism". NPR. National Public Radio, Inc. Retrieved March 17, 2016.
  15. Little, Morgan (September 27, 2012). "Lawsuit highlights difficulty of third-party involvement in debates". Los Angeles Times. Tribune Publishing. Retrieved March 17, 2016.
  16. Reilly, Peter J. (October 22, 2012). "Debate Proceeds Despite Green Party Lawsuit - Hear Jill Stein On Defense Here". Forbes. Forbes, Inc. Retrieved March 17, 2016.
  17. Cirilli, Kevin (October 16, 2012). "Green Party ticket arrested at debate". Politico. Capitol News Company. Retrieved March 17, 2016.
  18. Stein, Jill (October 18, 2012). "Jill Stein: My response to the presidential debate". USA Today. Gannett Company. Retrieved March 17, 2016.
  19. Mufson, Steven (October 31, 2012). "Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein charged with trespassing in Keystone XL protest". The Washington Post. Nash Holdings LLC. Retrieved March 17, 2016.
  20. "Jill Stein Arrested: Green Party Nominee Faces Charges After Bank Protest". The Huffington Post. AOL (Verizon Communications). August 1, 2012. Retrieved March 17, 2016.
  21. Reilly, Peter J. (November 1, 2012). "Green Party Candidate Jill Stein Arrested Again". Forbes. Forbes, Inc. Retrieved March 17, 2016.
  22. "Federal Elections 2012 - Election Results for the U.S. President, the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives" (PDF). Federal Electoral Commission. United States Congress. January 2013. Retrieved March 17, 2016.
  23. Pfeiffer, Eric (November 7, 2012). "Gary Johnson runs most successful Libertarian campaign in party's history". Yahoo! News. Yahoo!. Retrieved March 17, 2016.
  24. Rosenthal, Gregory (November 8, 2012). "Election Results and Analysis". Pacific Dreams New York Life. Retrieved September 18, 2013.
  25. Weigel, David (November 8, 2012). "The Pathetic Failure of Green Party Candidate Jill Stein". Slate. The Slate Group. Retrieved March 17, 2016.
  26. "Recognized Candidates Seeking the GPUS 2016 Presidential Nomination". Green Party of the United States. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
  27. "2016 Presidential Candidates". Green Party of the United States. December 31, 2015. Archived from the original on February 8, 2016. Retrieved February 20, 2016.
  28. "Green Party presidential primary calendar". Green Party Watch. February 11, 2016. Retrieved February 20, 2016.
  29. "Into the valley of California, standing up to... - William P. Kreml".
  30. "Green presidential candidates to debate at University of New Mexico Saturday". Green Party Watch. April 6, 2016. Retrieved April 8, 2016.
  31. Yost, Richard (April 9, 2016). "Green Party presidential debate in ABQ" (Press release). Albuquerque: Burque Media. Retrieved June 7, 2016.
  32. "Green Party candidates to face off in debate hosted by RT (Watch Live)". RT America. August 31, 2014. Retrieved June 10, 2016.
  33. "RT America Hosting Green and Libertarian Presidential Debates". Independent Political Report. May 5, 2016. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
  34. "2016 Spring Gathering: North Carolina Green Party". North Carolina Green Party. Retrieved May 13, 2016.
  35. "2016 Presidential Primary Ballot Results". Green Party of Florida. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
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