Maine Green Independent Party
Candidate for Governor Patricia LaMarche today
handed in more than 2500 qualifying checks to the
Maine State Ethics Commission. The checks,
accompanied by thousands of corresponding
signatures, qualify the Maine Green LaMarche
campaign for Clean Election funds.
"Getting five bucks from thousands of people from
all over the state, unified in their support, is
what campaigning ought to be about."
Each candidate running under Maine's landmark
Clean Elections Law is required to submit a
prerequisite number of $5.00 checks to illustrate
they have popular support. For Governor, the
number of checks is 2500.
In thanking her Green Party volunteers and other
campaign workers today, LaMarche said, "there are
literally hundreds of people who worked for the
past several months, first to circulate
nominating petitions, then to secure the needed
checks so I can run as a Green clean candidate.
Those volunteers gave their fellow Mainers a
sensible and respectful choice for Governor this
year. Those people have already made a difference
in Maine this year. And that difference is just
the beginning."
LaMarche also acknowledged the work of local
officials, "There are unsung heroes in every race
for public office, the many town clerks and
election officials who must certify tens of
thousands of signatures every election cycle. My
hat is off to these fine public servants for the
spectacular job they do."
LaMarche supporters are justifiably overjoyed at
the progress and momentum of this Green Party
campaign. "While getting these signatures and
checks for us little guys is both daunting and
intimidating, it is also invigorating," said Doug
Emerson. "While we were out there meeting people
and talking to our neighbors - we are making our
communities stronger, giving our communities a
voice. I am proud to have been a part of this
clean elections task. Getting five bucks from
thousands of people from all over the state,
unified in their support, is what campaigning
ought to be about."
"Today we continue our work on a much larger
scale. Today we take the grit and grizzle of our
campaign, a campaign that worked so hard to
secure Green Party ballot access and clean
funding, and we set it on the public stage.
Thanks to the forward-looking voters of Maine,
who passed by overwhelming margin the clean
elections law by referendum, thereby giving us
all the ability to vote for clean candidates,"
said LaMarche in rallying her Green Party
campaign troops and others to begin the election
work. "It is time for a new voice in Augusta that
represents the interests of Maine's citizens and
small businesses. It is time for a new voice in
Augusta that reflects the values of Maine's
independent nature. It is time for a new voice in
Augusta that sounds the call for an end to
politics as usual and heralds the future. Maybe
you will recognize that voice. It is the voice of
the people. It is my honor to use this Green
Party campaign to amplify that voice!"
For More information on the Green Party visit: www.gp.org