Posted: 6/23/06
Pentel returns as Green Party candidate for governor; two others also endorsed
by T.W. Budig
ECM capitol reporter
The Green Party of Minnesota endorsed three statewide candidates at its state convention in Duluth in early June.
Green candidates are also running in some local races.
Ken Pentel, an activist and lobbyist who carried the partyís standard in two earlier gubernatorial races, was endorsed for his third bid for governor.
ìIf people believe in our values, Iím counting on them to be honest with their vote,î said Pentel.
If Minnesotans vote their values, heíll be governor, he said.
No longer a major political party in Minnesota ó a perishable legacy gained by consumer activist Ralph Naderís Minnesota showing in the 2000 presidential election ó Pentel and the Greens now face the burdens of minor party status.
Pentel, in the 2002 election, had major party political clout to have his biography appear on television along with the three other gubernatorial candidates.
But that political clout has ebbed.
The Greens will be launching a petition drive beginning on July 4 to gain enough signatures to place their candidates on the ballot.
Pentel is optimistic the party will get a sufficient number.
ìYes, I think we can do it,î he said.
Pentel talks about bringing Green Party values before voters, building the party, having a Green statewide candidate hit the five percent threshold to regain lost major party status.
Last election Pentel and runningmate Rhoda Gilman won 50,589 votes out of 2,282,860 cast in Minnesota ó a little more than two percent.
Besides endorsing Pentel, Greens at the Duluth state convention also endorsed Michael Cavlan for U.S. Senate and John Kolstad for Minnesota Attorney General.
Cavlan is a registered nurse and Kolstad is President of Mill City Music.
According to the party, two Green candidates plan to run in local elections.
Julie Risser of Edina is challenging Sen. Geoff Michel, R-Edina, in Senate District 41 and Green Party member Leroy Schafer is running for St. Francis City Council.
Capitol Roundup
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