The Maryland Green Party qualified as a recognized political party on August 17, 2000,[2] since that time the party has grown to 9,350 members as of April 2018.[3] In November of 2018, outgoing Delegate Shane Robinson switched his party affiliation from Democrat to Green, becoming Maryland's first Green Delegate.[4]
Electoral history
During the 2006 elections, U.S. Senate candidate Kevin Zeese became the first Maryland Green Party candidate for statewide office to be invited to debate the major party candidates. Zeese went on to finish third with over 25,000 votes.[5] That same year Green Ed Boyd became the first African-American candidate for Governor of Maryland. He received approximately 15,000 votes.
In November 2007, Gary Hull became the first Green officeholder in Maryland, being elected to the Sharpsburg Town Council.[6]
In April 2007, Mike Cornell was elected to the Columbia City Council, an unincorporated community run by a nonprofit homeowners association known as the Columbia Association in Columbia. Up until 2015, Cornell was one of 10 representatives that form the Columbia Council. Residents elect council representatives from each of Columbia's nine villages and Town Center.[7]
In the November 2007 elections, Dan Robinson was elected to the non-partisan seat of Takoma Park Town Council Ward 3. He finished first of two candidates for one seat with 234 votes or 67.6%.[8] Robinson ran for the same office in 2003 finishing 2nd in a two candidate race with 183 votes, or 35%.
In September 2010, Green Party nominee for U.S. Senate Natasha Pettigrew was killed while biking when she was hit by the driver of a Cadillac Escalade.[9] She was replaced by her mother, Keniss Henry. Henry received 20,717 votes (1.13%).[10]
In January 2015, the Maryland State Board of Elections determined that the party's petition was sufficient and it would be on the ballot through at least 2018.[11]
aAs of January 2021, the original GPAK is no longer affiliated to the GPUS, following disagreements with the national party during the 2020 presidential election bAs of July 2021, the original GGP is no longer affiliated to the GPUS, following disagreements over amendments passed in the GGP party platform cAs of December 2020, the original GPRI is no longer affiliated to the GPUS, following disagreements with the national party during the 2020 presidential election