By
Jose Ceja
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Future of the party is "promising", Green officials say
While no Green Party candidates were elected into office last night, members of the Pima County Green Party said they believe they ran successful campaigns that will help to establish themselves in American politics.
"This is just the first step, " said Mary Bolger, who ran for District 14 Arizona House of Representatives.
"Next time we're going be bigger, we're going to be better organized and we're gonna be a force to contend with," she said. "These are all people who believe and who are willing to put their convictions into action."
Peter Hormell, who ran for Pima County attorney, said the Greens provided an outlet for voters who felt disenchanted with traditional politics.
"Americans are really wanting an alternative," he said. "They are wanting another voice to express themselves politically.
"There are a lot of issues out there that people care about that aren't addressed by the major parties," he added.
Hormell said the Green Party ran a grassroots campaign that did not have wealthy contributors and reflected the will of its supporters.
"If we could put that together, this could be the beginning of something huge," he said.
About 200 supporters of the Pima County Green Party and candidates for local offices assembled at OK Market, 600 S. 4th Ave., to await results of the election.
"It's real promising," said Paul Toledo, an University of Arizona media arts instructor who directed a television commercial for the party.
"I think that, regardless of the outcome, I think they feel that they have accomplished what they set out to do and that is establish the legitimacy of the party," he said.
Hannah Pierce-Carlson, a physics and astronomy sophomore who is also a member of the UA Young Greens said she has been active in this year's campaigns and has received a positive response.
"Young people, especially students are concerned with the future and issues like the environment," she said. "They say that you get more conservative with age, but I've become more liberal and I've pulled myself out of the box and I care more about other people."
Michael Green, candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives voiced similar optimism and said he thinks the experienced Green party members will be valuable assets in the future.
Green said his party has achieved one of its most important goals - mobilizing voters, particularly young voters.
"That is what this is fundamentally all about, engaging people in the democratic process, restoring American democracy, and giving it back to the people," he said.
