Thursday, August 30, 2007

Contacts:
Scott McLarty, Media Coordinator, 202-518-5624, mclarty@greens.org
Starlene Rankin, Media Coordinator, 916-995-3805, starlene@gp.org
Patrick Kelly, Media Coordinator for the Illinois Green Party, 773-203-9631, media@ilgp.org

WASHINGTON, DC -- The Green Party of the United States will hold its 2008 national nominating convention in Chicago, Illinois.

Delegates from state Green Parties and caucuses in the party's National Committee completed their vote yesterday, with Chicago taking the lead over Detroit, Minneapolis, and Oakland.

Greens from all four cities had submitted proposals for the 2008 convention. The National Committee chose the site using ranked choice voting (also called instant run-off voting) <http://www.fairvote.org>, a voting reform the party also recommends for single seat offices like governor or mayor.

Chicago's proposal can be read at <http://www.greenconvention2008.com>. The convention will take place July 10 to 13, 2008.

"We're very proud that Greens will choose our 2008 presidential nominee in Chicago," said Patrick Kelly, media coordinator for the Illinois Green Party and coordinator for the Chicago bid. "Our Green candidate for Governor of Illinois, Rich Whitney, drew over 10% in the 2006 election -- after Gov. Blagojevich spent $800,000 in taxpayers money trying to keep the Green Party off the ballot. The 2008 convention will show Chicago that we're here to stay."

"Our intention is to run a strong presidential campaign with our nominee on every ballot line in the country," added Phil Huckelberry, co-chair of the Green Party of the United States and Chicagoan.

Green leaders are planning a press conference in Chicago next week, at which they will discuss the convention site and the Green Party's plans for 2008 in greater detail. Press conference details will be announced soon.

"We were quite impressed with the presentations from all four cities, and we know Greens faced a hard choice," said Ruth Weill, co-chair of the Green Party's Annual National Meeting Committee. "We thank all of them and congratulate Chicago, and we look forward to seeing everyone -- and the media too -- in Chicago next summer."

The Green Party held its 2007 national meeting in Reading, Pennsylvania, in July. Several candidates for the Green presidential nomination introduced themselves to the party during the meeting, and more candidates are expected to announce soon.

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