Greenfield’s Resignation

For background, see other posts:

The Word is out – it’s Official – Greenfield vs. Clinton
Greenfield joining Dems? New York Greens endorsing Dems?

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To the Secretary of the Green Party of New York State:

On this day the following public statement was released by me:

October 12th, 2005
Contact: Steve Greenfield, bicyclesax@earthlink.net, (845) 255-2516 For Immediate Release

National Green Party officer Steve Greenfield of New Paltz, NY, who had earlier announced his intention to leave the Green Party and become a Democrat, changed party enrollment at the Ulster County Board of Elections at 11:00 this morning. At a sidewalk press conference following the filing, Greenfield also announced his intention to run in next year’s Democratic Party primary against Hillary Clinton for United States Senate.

Greenfield’s decision to leave the Green Party was motivated by his experience and observations as a national Green Party delegate that caused disenchantment with strategies of failure, lack of democratic process, and serious ethical questions regarding party finance that remain unaddressed.

“My decision to enter the primary against Hillary Clinton is to provide the Democratic Party voters of New York, shown by polls to overwhelmingly oppose the war in Iraq, the USA PATRIOT Act, corporate welfare, and the licensing of Indian Point, a fair opportunity to send forth a candidate who shares their views and promises to vote accordingly, who promises to serve New Yorkers for the full term of office, and could be more meaningfully distinguished next November from any of the field of potential Republican opponents,” said Greenfield.

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Tender of resignation

This is a terribly painful crossroads for me, since, as you are well aware, the building and promotion of the Green Party has been the central theme of my life in the Mid-Hudson Valley since moving to New Paltz in January of 2001. While many local Green Parties and the State Green Party here in New York are thriving and operating admirably, as exemplified by the stellar operations and mulitple candidacies of the current New Paltz Green Party to which I have devoted myself these last four-plus years, the controlling directorship of the national Green Party does not have the principles, the willingness or the competence to fight the current battles for peace, economic and social justice, environmental protection and democracy that are the foundation of the Green agenda. Unfortunately, at this time, the critical decisions of our time affecting these societal needs, even at the local level, are being made in the national arena, and that is where my personal sense of duty requires my energies be directed for the foreseeable future. So on this day, the 12th of October, 2005, I have officially entered a change of enrollment from Green to Democrat with the Ulster County Board of Elections, a time-stamped copy of which I have in my possession, and announce at this time that I will be entering the Democratic Party Primary for United States Senate against Hillary Clinton.

Although the election law of the State of New York does not recognize the party change as official until mid-November, my personal ethics and respect for Green Party conduct requires that at this time I must and do voluntarily tender my resignation from the New Paltz Green Party, the New York State Green Party, and all positions I hold on and on behalf of the New York State Green Party, including service as a delegate to the Green National Committee and the Peace Action Committee. I request that you remove my access to the State listserves, and notify the Secretary of GPUS to do likewise for all national party listserves.

Thank you very much.

Steven Greenfield
New Paltz, NY