Greens to Run Candidates in Local Races
City Council, State Senate among races to be joined
A number of Green Independent Party members announced at the party’s March 4th caucus at Portland City Hall that they would run as candidates in several local elections.
Portland Green Party Chair Rebecca Minnick said that she will run for the Portland School Committee from Munjoy Hill, a seat currently held by Otis Thompson.
Ben Weinstein announced that he will run for the West End District 2 City Council seat currently held by City Councilor Karen Geraghty. The City Council and the School Committee are both officially non-partisan.
Party Secretary Ben Meiklejohn, who is also a School Committee member, announced that he would run for the seat in the State House of Representatives currently being held by Ben Dudley, who is being term-limited. Democrat Ann Rand, a former State Senator, is also a declared candidate for that seat. Meiklejohn would be allowed to retain his seat on the School Committee if he were elected to the Legislature.
Karl Rawstron announced that he would join the Maine State Senate race, running against Republican David Babin and incumbent Democrat State Senator Ethan Strimling.
West End School Committee member Stephen Spring also announced that he would seek re-election.
The Greens are also expected to field a candidate in the Parkside-Bayside legislative district which is currently represented by Democratic Representative Herb Adams, and in Portland’s City Council District 1, which is currently represented by Councilor Will Gorham.
West End State Representative John Eder is also expected to run for re-election against Democrat Jon Hinck. Democrat Robert O'Brien recently withdrew from that race.