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Connecticut Green Party Clarifies Endorsement of Diane Farrell for Congress

October 31, 2006

GREEN PARTY OF CONNECTICUT ISSUES STATEMENT CONCERNING DUFFEE'S WITHDRAWAL FROM 4TH DISTRICT RACE

MIDDLETOWN, CT, October 31, 2006 - The State Central Committe of the Green Party of Connecticut issued the following statement concerning the withdrawal of Richard Duffee as the endorsed Green Party candidate in the 4th Congressional District race and the endorsement of Diane Farrell.

On October 21, 2006 in a special caucus, the Fairfield County Greens voted to withdraw Richard Duffee as the endorsed Green Party candidate in the 4th Congressional District race and to endorse the Democratic candidate, Diane Farrell.

It was the decision of the Fairfield County Greens to run Richard for Congress and it was their decision to withdraw him from the race. The state Green Party did not play, and should not have played, a role in this process. However, the State Committee does recognize virtues in the Fairfield party's decision.

First, the July 11 Fairfield nominating convention had contemplated the Fairfield special caucus and, in calling for the caucus, Duffee was fulfilling his promise to the nominating convention. Second, the Fairfield special caucus was an open and fair process that included a lengthy and thoughtful discussion of the pros and cons of running a Green Party candidate in the 4th district. Third, the caucus also included six votes on issues related to the decision, so in some ways it was a democratic improvement on common procedure. Fourth, it was decisive: 90% voted for withdrawal and endorsement, just as 90% had originally voted for Duffee to get onto the ballot. It is inconsistent to decry the lack of democracy in American political life and then decry a genuine example of grassroots decision-making because one disagrees with the result. The Fairfield Greens voted for Mr. Duffee to withdraw and endorse Diane Farrell, and Mr. Duffee complied.

As such, it is inaccurate to report that the Green Party of Connecticut has endorsed Diane Farrell for Congress or that it was Mr. Duffee's decision to withdraw from the race. The endorsement was made solely by the Fairfield County Greens, as was the decision to withdraw the Green party candidate from the race. And it appears to have been quite properly done.

We would like to take the opportunity to thank Richard Duffee for his candidacy. He ran a campaign that refreshingly emphasized the real issues and problems that we all face today. He was, and remains, an exceptionally strong advocate for Green values.

The Connecticut Green Party continues to present candidates for U.S. Senate, Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Treasurer, Comptroller, Attorney General and state legislative races.

Web sites:
www.richardduffee.com