Big Sky Times

The Green Party of Montana has yet to endorse any candidates for the 2020 elections because its leaders are unsure which of the politicians on the list are authentic.

“We are very aware that due to our position in the state that we are in danger of being hijacked by conservative groups,” said Adrien Wagner, interim Green Party coordinator.

One U.S. House candidate that ran as a Green during the last election cycle, for example, was disavowed.

“He made some negative comments concerning former President Obama,” Wagner told Big Sky Times. “These are not things that are a part of our platform.”

In 2018, Democrats successfully sued to remove the Green party from the ballot. Secretary of State Corey Stapleton vowed to appeal the decision, according to media reports.

During a hearing on the case, Montana Democratic Party Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Trent Bolger said in open court that if the green party gained access to the ballot, it would require calibrating internal voter files differently, including knocking on more doors, acquiring more volunteers, staff and literature.

“It's a harm because we did not plan for that,” Bolger said under cross-examination. “We would be required to expend money to account for it. It could easily double our what's called persuasion budget.”

The Green Party became eligible for the 2020 election after 11,000 signatures were filed with the secretary of state, according to media reports.

Wendie Frederickson of Helena, who is expected to run for a Senate seat under the Green Party ticket, according to KTVH News, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

“If there are going to be any endorsements by the Green Party of Montana extended to Green candidates, it will be to those who have contacted us,” Wagner said. 

Only two candidates have reached out and Frederickson is not among them, according to Wagner.

“As a party, we are going to decide on who to endorse once we host our state convention at the end of this month before the primaries begin,” he said. “There seems to be quite a bit of chaos that has been brewing the past two election cycles between the two major parties. We want people to know that there always is an alternative. All voices are valid and without the presence of third parties, we fear the welfare of daily life will be at the behest of corporate interests.”

The Montana primary is scheduled June 2, and the general election on Nov. 3, 2020.

The two candidates who have contacted the Green Party of Montana include Roy Davis of Helena who seeks the post of attorney general and Gary Marbut who is running for state Senate representing District 47.

“If a Green Party candidate is elected the state Senate or as attorney general, we can expect that laws will be upheld to promote the planet and the environment,” Wagner said.” A green attorney general will execute the duties to the best of the will of the people and not to the will of the rich and powerful.”

Wagner should know. He ran for a seat in the Montana House of Representatives in 2018 for District 15 but was disqualified due to the lack of required number of signatures, according to Ballotpedia.

“The Green Party provides alternatives to assumed norms of the Democratic party,” Wagner said. “We want people to know that we provide a platform that is one of the most progressive compared to any political party and it's a platform that is not motivated by the welfare of keeping the corporate rich, the 1 percent, at the top. We wish to bring balance and to bring progressive policies that benefit the people.”