D.C. Statehood Green Party
Encyclopedia
The D.C. Statehood Green Party, also known as the D.C. Statehood Party, is a political party in Washington, D.C.
The party is the D.C. affiliate of the national Green Party
, but has traditionally been involved primarily with issues related to D.C. Statehood
. Party members sometimes call it the second most popular party in the city because in the 2006 election its candidates won more total votes than the Republican candidates. About 1 percent of D.C. voters are registered with the D.C. Statehood Green Party, while 7 percent are Republicans and 75 percent are Democrats.
announced his candidacy for the District's non-voting Congressional Delegate position as a member of the D.C. Statehood Party. Though he lost that race to Walter E. Fauntroy
, he would later serve on the D.C. Council
. In 1973, the Party was a strong proponent of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act
, which gave limited self-government to the city. From the creation of the city council in 1975 until 1999, the party always had one of the at-large seats, first occupied by Hobson and then by Hilda Mason
.
Throughout the 1970s, the party and its members on the council sponsored several initiatives aimed at giving the District more autonomy from the federal government. The high point was the passage of the District of Columbia Voting Rights Amendment
by Congress in 1978, which would have given the District the rights of a state; the amendment failed to receive approval from the necessary 37 states by 1985, and thus did not become part of the United States Constitution
.
The statehood movement lost much of its momentum after this and other defeats, though the party continued to field candidates for local offices. It merged with the Green Party
prior to the 2000 elections, and endorsed Ralph Nader's
campaign for president
. Since the merger the D.C. Statehood Green Party has once more found its footing and has experienced a period of growth.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
The party is the D.C. affiliate of the national Green Party
Green Party (United States)
The Green Party of the United States is a nationally recognized political party which officially formed in 1991. It is a voluntary association of state green parties. Prior to national formation, many state affiliates had already formed and were recognized by other state parties...
, but has traditionally been involved primarily with issues related to D.C. Statehood
D.C. Statehood
The District of Columbia statehood movement is a political movement that advocates making the District of Columbia a U.S. state. Statehood would give the citizens of Washington, D.C. full representation in the United States Congress and full control over their own local affairs.Full statehood for D.C...
. Party members sometimes call it the second most popular party in the city because in the 2006 election its candidates won more total votes than the Republican candidates. About 1 percent of D.C. voters are registered with the D.C. Statehood Green Party, while 7 percent are Republicans and 75 percent are Democrats.
History
The party began in 1971, when Julius HobsonJulius Hobson
Julius W. Hobson was the People's Party Vice Presidential candidate in 1972. Benjamin Spock was the People's Party Presidential candidate. They polled 0.1014% of the popular vote and no electoral votes....
announced his candidacy for the District's non-voting Congressional Delegate position as a member of the D.C. Statehood Party. Though he lost that race to Walter E. Fauntroy
Walter E. Fauntroy
Walter Edward Fauntroy is the former pastor of the New Bethel Baptist Church in Washington, D.C., and a civil rights activist. He is also a former member of the United States Congress and was a candidate for the 1972 Democratic presidential nomination, as well as a human rights activist...
, he would later serve on the D.C. Council
Council of the District of Columbia
The Council of the District of Columbia is the legislative branch of the local government of the District of Columbia. As permitted in the United States Constitution, the District is not part of any U.S. state and is instead overseen directly by the federal government...
. In 1973, the Party was a strong proponent of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act
District of Columbia Home Rule Act
The District of Columbia Home Rule Act is a United States federal law passed on December 24, 1973 which devolved certain congressional powers of the District of Columbia to local government, furthering District of Columbia home rule...
, which gave limited self-government to the city. From the creation of the city council in 1975 until 1999, the party always had one of the at-large seats, first occupied by Hobson and then by Hilda Mason
Hilda Mason
Hilda Howland M. Mason was a politician and statehood advocate in Washington, D.C. She was a member of the D.C...
.
Throughout the 1970s, the party and its members on the council sponsored several initiatives aimed at giving the District more autonomy from the federal government. The high point was the passage of the District of Columbia Voting Rights Amendment
District of Columbia Voting Rights Amendment
The District of Columbia Voting Rights Amendment was a proposed amendment to the United States Constitution that would have given the District of Columbia full representation in the United States Congress, full representation in the Electoral College system, and full participation in the process by...
by Congress in 1978, which would have given the District the rights of a state; the amendment failed to receive approval from the necessary 37 states by 1985, and thus did not become part of the United States Constitution
United States Constitution
The Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the United States of America. It is the framework for the organization of the United States government and for the relationship of the federal government with the states, citizens, and all people within the United States.The first three...
.
The statehood movement lost much of its momentum after this and other defeats, though the party continued to field candidates for local offices. It merged with the Green Party
Green Party (United States)
The Green Party of the United States is a nationally recognized political party which officially formed in 1991. It is a voluntary association of state green parties. Prior to national formation, many state affiliates had already formed and were recognized by other state parties...
prior to the 2000 elections, and endorsed Ralph Nader's
Ralph Nader
Ralph Nader is an American political activist, as well as an author, lecturer, and attorney. Areas of particular concern to Nader include consumer protection, humanitarianism, environmentalism, and democratic government....
campaign for president
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
. Since the merger the D.C. Statehood Green Party has once more found its footing and has experienced a period of growth.
Elected officials
In February 2007, eight Statehood Greens held office:- Dave Bosserman, Advisory Neighborhood Council, SMD 1D05
- Renee Bowser, Advisory Neighborhood Council, ANC 4D02
- Nate Mathews, Advisory Neighborhood Council, ANC 1B10
- Nancy Shia, Advisory Neighborhood Council, SMD 1C06;
- Rick Tingling-Clemmons, Advisory Neighborhood Council, SMD 7D05
- Bryan Weaver, Advisory Neighborhood Council, ANC 1C03
- Jane Zara, Advisory Neighborhood Council, SMD 1D01