Green Party Holds State Convention in Mankato

The Green Party of Minnesota held its biennial convention over the weekend of June 7th and 8th in Mankato. The two main items on the agenda were selection of national delegates and endorsement of a U.S. Senate candidate.

Going into the convention, it was clear the front-runner for Green Party nomination for president, Cynthia McKinney, would receive a majority of Minnesota's twelve delegates to the national convention. Members had the opportunity to vote on the presidential endorsement at the local caucuses in March, through a mail-in ballot, or in person at the State Convention. When all the votes were counted, McKinney received eleven delegates, with one delegate representing the position that the Green Party should run no candidate.

The twelve delegates selected will be attending the Green Party National Convention in Chicago from July 10 through 13, where they will vote on the Presidential endorsement, on platform resolutions, and other issues.

McKinney is a former six-term member of the U.S. House of Representatives who has been known for her outspoken opposition to war and excessive military spending, and for her passionate support for the interests of people above profit. She has left the Democratic Party to join the Green Party which advocates what McKinney calls “radical common sense” policies that would result in real change in the United States. Her campaign website is at www.runcynthiarun.org. Three lesser-known candidates are also running for the Green Party endorsement. Though none received enough votes to earn a delegate from Minnesota, several speakers at the convention expressed appreciation for the sacrifices they have made to publicize important issues and support the Green Party.

The U.S. Senate endorsement contest was much closer. Michael Cavlan sought the party's endorsement, but was one vote shy of the 2/3 threshold needed to receive the party's endorsement. Therefore, the Green Party of Minnesota is not endorsing a U.S. Senate candidate in the 2008 election. Cavlan announced at the convention that he would run as an independent if he did not receive the endorsement.

Elections were also held for representatives on the State Central Committee and to the national party. Members debated and passed revisions to the party platform and by-laws.

The State Party is grateful to the Mankato local party for their efforts in hosting a productive and smooth-running State Convention.

( For video of the convention go here. )