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PRAIRIE GREEN PARTY RESPONDS TO ILLINOIS PRIMARY ELECTION RESULTS
CONTACT:
Tom Abram
Press Officer, Prairie Greens
847-814-6947
tom.abram@ilgp.org
Joe Futrelle
Candidate, County Board District 8
217-328-7853
futrelle@prairiegreens.org
Walter Pituc
Candidate, County Board District 7
847-962-8724
votewalter@gmail.com
Kostas Yfantis
Candidate, County Board District 7
217-840-6780
kostasyfantis@gmail.com
URBANA, IL - The local Green Party responded to election results in the first ever Green presidential primary held in Illinois. Former Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney received the majority of support, with 57%, followed by Ralph Nader's placeholder Howie Hawkins at 17%, and Kent Mesplay at 14%. Jared Ball, who dropped out to support Cynthia McKinney, received 12%. Though there have been uncontested local Green primaries previously, this is the first time Green voters have participated in a contested primary race. Delegates to the national convention will be allocated proportionally to the primary results and will be selected at the Illinois Green Party Membership Meeting and Convention in Peoria, March 28-30. The national convention will be held in Chicago from July 10-13.
"Cynthia McKinney has the experience and progressive agenda to lead the Green Party forward. Her courage and dedication would energize Green voters and candidates up and down the ballot. We anticipate a strong presidential campaign will attract attention to the party and help lead our local candidates to victory," said Susan Rodgers, Green Precinct Committeeperson in Cunningham 7. McKinney had an even larger showing of support in Champaign County, with 63% of the vote. Hawkins, Mesplay, and Ball received 16%, 11%, and 10% respectively. Though Green primary voters reported several incidents of voting irregularities at polling places across Illinois, initial reports in Champaign County indicated a relatively high ease of Green primary accessibility.
In addition to the Presidential candidates, seven Congressional candidates across Illinois appeared on the primary ballot, with several more to be slated. Although there is not yet a Green candidate for the 15th Congressional District, several Greens running for local office in Champaign-Urbana were on the ballot and will continue into the general election, including Joe Futrelle for Champaign County Board District 8, and Walter Pituc and Kostas Yfantis for Champaign County Board District 7, where two seats are up for election. Six candidates for precinct committeeperson were also elected. In Coles County, State's Attorney candidate Todd Reardon and Coroner candidate Michael Snow appeared on the primary ballot.
Local Greens also commented on the results of the various referendums appearing on primary ballots in Champaign and Urbana. Several anti-war referendums passed in the City of Champaign and Cunningham Townships, as well as a referendum restoring general assistance funds in the City of Champaign Township.
"The people of Urbana agree with the Green Party that we should end the war in Iraq, treat terrorism suspects humanely, and avoid war with Iran," said Joe Futrelle, candidate for County Board District 8.
Election night results indicate a referendum increasing the property tax rate limit for the Urbana Park District narrowly failed.
"Without adequate funding, Urbana will not be able to maintain its excellent parks," said Futrelle. "We should roll back the property tax caps that make it difficult to maintain funding for essential public services as costs rise."
MORE INFORMATION:
Prairie Greens of East Central Illinois http://www.prairiegreens.org
Joe Futrelle for Champaign County Board
http://www.joefutrelle.org
Illinois Green Party
http://www.ilgp.org
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