Shame on major parties for shutting out others

With the massive spending and huckstering being done by the two major party presidential candidates, something is being lost in the mix. There are two other candidates who have a mathematical chance to win enough Electoral College votes to become the next president: Jo Jorgensen of the Libertarian Party and Howie Hawkins of the Green Party. They could both amass enough votes to win but were excluded from the debate stage. Why? Because the Commission on Presidential Debates, or CPD, is a wholly owned, nonprofit subsidiary of the Democratic and Republican parties. It stole the mantle of holding the debates from the League of Women Voters back in the 1980s in order to control the process front to back. Continue reading

The independent candidate who could decide the Senate

A Senate hopeful in Maine who would be a spoiler in any other race says the state's unusual voting system will help oust Susan Collins. Progressive independent Lisa Savage would be an obvious spoiler for a Democratic candidate in most races. But she vows her presence in Maine’s wild Senate contest won’t hurt Democrat Sara Gideon, and may even help. Continue reading

'I don't want to settle for the status quo'

In a deeply divided nation continuing to reel from COVID-19, emotions appear to be reaching a fever pitch as Joe Biden and Donald Trump stump for votes in the last days of the volatile presidential election campaign. Some voters say the situation is as much a function of the stranglehold Democrats and Republicans have over the election process as anything else. Their solution: vote for a third party. Continue reading

Third-party vote is not wasted

In recent opinion pieces, Joshua Holzer has suggested that a vote for a third party is a wasted vote and that their supporters should vote for the "lesser of two evils" — Joe Biden for president. Holzer is wrong factually and historically. First, Republicans see Donald Trump as the lesser evil. Should Libertarians and Constitutionalists vote for Trump? Continue reading

Savage says health care needs are Maine's top issue in Senate race

Independent U.S. Senate candidate Lisa Savage wants the country to have universal health care, specifically backing the Medicare for All. YARMOUTH, Maine — When you’re running as an underdog, any signs of support can be welcome. Lisa Savage says she has found support at farmers’ markets, like the one in Yarmouth, where one voter explained why he ranked her first.  “A lot of it is the outside money going into the other traces,” that voter told Savage during a recent visit, referring to the massive amounts of money going to the two parties' candidates in the race—close to $90 million as of October 1.  Continue reading

Utah election watch: The battle over the Salt Lake County mayor's seat

Mayor Jenny Wilson fighting to ward off Republican, Green Party challengers amid chaos of COVID-19 pandemic SALT LAKE CITY — Republicans and Democrats are once again battling it out for one of the most high-profile seats in the state: the mayor of Utah's most populous county. But they're not alone. A Green Party of Utah candidate has made a rare appearance on this year's ballot. He's seeking to shake up what's typically been a two-party race by giving environmentally minded voters another option. Continue reading

Student environmental activists rally for environmental justice in Elizabeth

ELIZABETH, NJ – On Saturday September 26th, the Union County hub of the Sunrise Movement, in collaboration with the Young Ecosocialist Caucus of New Jersey and Cosecha NJ, held a demonstration for environmental justice - "the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income, with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies" as defined by the US EPA - in Elizabeth. Continue reading

On the issues: U.S. Senatorial Candidate Lisa Savage

Penobscot Bay Pilot has posed questions to each candidate running for U.S. Congressional seats, providing the opportunity for the public to better understand their position on issues important to the state and nation. Candidates responding with their individual written answers will have their responses stored in the Pilot’s 2020 Election Resource Guide. Lisa Savage, Independent, is seeking election to represent Maine in the U.S. Senate. Continue reading

Green Party candidate Muller Paz challenges incumbent democrat in Baltimore’s 12th district

An unusually competitive general election race is heating up in Baltimore City’s District 12, where Green Party candidate Franca Muller Paz has outraised incumbent and establishment Democrat Robert Stokes. Muller Paz, an activist and teacher at Baltimore City College High School, has campaigned on a progressive platform that emphasizes community-centered crime reduction, combating the digital divide and investing in schools. She says the Democratic incumbent has not been fighting for the district. Continue reading

Questions for the 2020 Candidates: Ward 3 Council Craig Cayetano

TAPinto Hawthorne sent a questionnaire to the candidates to help residents get an idea of where they stand on some issues as election day draws near.  The Third Ward council seat was won by the late Garrett Sinning (R) in the 2019 election.  When Sinning passed in November, Anne Marie Sasso and Michael Sciarra sought to fill the seat as interim-councilmember, with Sciarra ultimately carrying the council's vote.  As interim-councilman, he would serve until a special election was held in November.  There are three candidates seeking the votes of Ward Three residents. Continue reading