Several of my friends and comrades here in Greater Houston who have long considered themselves Greens have been participating in the Democratic Primary process this year.
This is only partly driven by the potential success of the Sanders campaign; the other reason is the importance of several local races. Some of these folks will continue their involvement today and vote in the local primary runoff.
It's not the first time a few Harris County Greens have temporarily abrogated their Greenness to vote in a Democratic primary. In 2008, for example, we had several long-standing Party members who bypassed signing the Green ballot access petition and voted for Ohio Rep. Dennis Kucinich. Some comrades and allies voted for this young upstart named Obama. In both cases, the motivation was similar to voting for Sen. Bernard Sanders this year: as much to prevent the Clintons from re-occupying the White House as to express support for a more progressive candidate.
Henry Cooper has been on the local Green Party's steering committee at least once, and in 2012 he ran for State Representative in his northwest Houston district. This year he not only voted in the primary, but actively campaigned for Sanders. Today he took the time to send out a mass email, which appears below in edited form, regarding the runoffs.
This is only partly driven by the potential success of the Sanders campaign; the other reason is the importance of several local races. Some of these folks will continue their involvement today and vote in the local primary runoff.
It's not the first time a few Harris County Greens have temporarily abrogated their Greenness to vote in a Democratic primary. In 2008, for example, we had several long-standing Party members who bypassed signing the Green ballot access petition and voted for Ohio Rep. Dennis Kucinich. Some comrades and allies voted for this young upstart named Obama. In both cases, the motivation was similar to voting for Sen. Bernard Sanders this year: as much to prevent the Clintons from re-occupying the White House as to express support for a more progressive candidate.
Henry Cooper has been on the local Green Party's steering committee at least once, and in 2012 he ran for State Representative in his northwest Houston district. This year he not only voted in the primary, but actively campaigned for Sanders. Today he took the time to send out a mass email, which appears below in edited form, regarding the runoffs.
Today is the runoff voting on the primaries.
It is important that you come out and vote for ED GONZALEZ for [Harris County] Sheriff in this runoff.
He is the only candidate for Sheriff that openly opposes 287(g).
The other Democratic candidate [Jerome Moore] has a wishy-washy position and dances around this EXTREMELY IMPORTANT ISSUE.
We can not afford to lose the opportunity to have a Sheriff that has a clear position of support of hard working families that are undocumented.
WE NEED YOU TO COME OUT AND VOTE TODAY.
VOTE FOR ED GONZALEZ FOR SHERIFF.
Thank you and share with your contacts.
Here's a reminder of the text that appears near the top of the primary ballot:
"I am a Democrat and understand that I am ineligible to vote or participate in another political party's primary election or convention during this voting year."
Because I wanted to participate in the Green conventions this year, I steadfastly refused to get swept up in the Primary madness. In fact, I don't remember the last time I voted in a primary—1994, I believe, although it could have been 1998. Anyone out there remember Garry Mauro, former state land commissioner, Friend of Bill, and 1998's Democratic sacrificial lamb?
Speaking of conventions, if I haven't already linked this page, I'm doing so now. Volunteers are needed to help make this a convention for the ages. In particular, we need a few folks with high-mileage or high-capacity vehicles to shuttle delegates et al between the airports and UH.
Speaking of conventions, if I haven't already linked this page, I'm doing so now. Volunteers are needed to help make this a convention for the ages. In particular, we need a few folks with high-mileage or high-capacity vehicles to shuttle delegates et al between the airports and UH.
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