On January 11, the Green Party of Pennsylvania State Committee met virtually to elect its leaders for 2026. More than 40 elected delegates and friends of the Green Party from 14 counties participated. They elected five officers to the GPPA Steering Committee, while one co-chair and the secretary are in mid-term. GREEN STAR, the GPPA monthly newsletter, asked the 2026 Steering Committee members to introduce themselves.

Green Party of Pennsylvania
www.gpofpa.org

For Immediate Release
January 17, 2026

Media Contact
Chris Robinson, Communication Team Co-Leader, [email protected]

Colleen Schmotzer (Allegheny) was elected to a two-year term as co-chair of GPPA. She had been a member at large of the Steering Committee during 2025. Colleen told GREEN STAR, “As the new co-chair of GPPA, my initial focus will be to revitalize our four action teams. I plan to achieve this by actively recruiting team leads and team members from within the Green Party. This will involve outreach not only to seasoned members exploring how we can rekindle their involvement, but also to new members to understand their interests and motivations. Our Communication Team manages the public image of the Green Party. The GPPA Core Team assures the smooth functioning of the party. The Finance Team will increase the value of GPPA and plan the use of its resources. The GPPA Greenwave Team will recruit and support candidates for election and expand the reach of the Green Party.”

GPPA Treasurer Jeff “J.J.” Kondrich (Westmoreland) was re-elected to a second term. J.J. told GREEN STAR, “In 2026, I plan to make sure we meet our reporting requirements and have a robust, secure, and intuitive method of record keeping. If we can organize our data and finances securely, I think the Green Party has a workable future. To help us build the Green Party, I plan to work with our Finance Team to aim fundraising efforts at sources outside of the party, lessening the implicit financial burden of party members. Hopefully a new merchandising plan will also help with this.”

Tony Dastra (Lancaster) was elected to be a Steering Committee member at large. He ran for Mayor of Lancaster City last year. Tony told GREEN STAR, “As a new leader, I plan to bring a different energy into our conversations, not just talking about the issues to be worked through within the system. After last year’s budget standoff in the PA General Assembly, I think it is time to consider a PA Constitutional Convention or amendments. In my opinion, PA needs to consider a unicameral legislature to stop this back and forth between the major parties that have gerrymandered the state capitol into gridlock. Also, the uniformity clause preventing taxes that make sense for the working class and damaging municipalities needs to go. To build the Green Party, I plan to bring new members and involvement. It is time to be more looked-to for constitutional guidance and pragmatic governance. Having pragmatic candidates and approaches, does not mean changing our strong positions as a party. It means people who do not feel like they agree with the Green Party can still approach Green Party candidates for dialogue, despite knowing that disagreement is to be expected, especially at the onset of new conversations.”

Wendy Keslick (Chester) was also elected to be a Steering Committee member at large. Last year she was a Green Party of Chester County delegate to the GPPA State Committee. Wendy told GREEN STAR, “I am excited for the opportunity to serve the GPPA in a state-wide capacity. In 2026, we will continue to see the collective failure of the two corporate-run parties, and the Green Party will have the opportunity to become the alternative that Pennsylvanians are seeking. I look forward to working collaboratively with other Steering Committee members to ensure that the Green Party is structurally ready to grow in numbers and to lead us to a thriving and better future for our beautiful state.”

Elizabeth “Beth” Schongar (Allegheny) was elected to be a member at large of the GPPA Steering Committee. She held the same office during 2022. Beth told GREEN STAR, “On the Green Party Steering Committee I will be looking at every effort according to three criteria. First, does it reflect the Green Party’s Four Pillars: grassroots democracy, nonviolence, ecological wisdom and social justice/equal opportunity? Second, can we do it: do we have the time, people, expertise and resources? Third, will it make the public more aware of the Green Party and what it stands for?”

Two members of last year’s GPPA Steering Committee did not stand for election because their terms end in 2027. Bryarr Misner (Allegheny) will remain GPPA secretary, and Tim Runkle (Lancaster) will continue as co-chair.

Incumbent Co-chair Tim Runkle told GREEN STAR, “As I begin the second year of my co-chair term, I want to first thank Theron Gilliland, Jr. (Allegheny), Erin King (Centre) and Barbara Laxon (McKean), the outgoing Steering Committee members for their commitment and hard work. They have contributed to strengthening the Green Party of Pennsylvania. Their efforts have helped sustain the party through challenging times and laid important groundwork for what comes next. I also look forward to working with the incoming Steering Committee members and to seeing them share their knowledge, skills, and experience in ways that will strengthen our collective leadership.”

“During 2026,” Tim continued, “my focus as co-chair will be on practicing servant leadership and helping the Steering Committee continue the construction of a comprehensive, member-driven plan for the future of GPPA. I believe our success depends on meaningful engagement with our members encouraged by listening, inviting participation, and creating opportunities for Greens to lead, organize, and contribute. Rather than imposing a top-down agenda, my hope is that the new Steering Committee will advance a plan shaped by the ideas and energy of our members. When we empower more people to get involved and to take ownership of the direction, we will continue to grow the Green Party as a strong, democratic, and principled alternative in Pennsylvania politics.

The Green Party of Pennsylvania (GPPA), https://www.gpofpa.org, is an independent political party which stands in opposition to the two corporate parties. GPPA candidates promote public policy based on the Green Party’s Four Pillars: grassroots democracy, nonviolence, ecological wisdom, and social justice/equal opportunity. For further information about GPPA, please email [email protected]. Please follow GPPA on social media: Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/gpofpa/; Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/pagreenparty/; and X, https://x.com/GreenPartyofPA