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Happy New Year
January 
Green Party of PA Members Active in
King Day of Service
By Tristan Holland
As the new year comes to life, so
do holidays dedicated to maintaining the progressive gains made in
years gone by. As Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service draws near on
January 19, 2026, forward-looking and progressive peoples around
Pennsylvania organize events to celebrate his contributions to the
civil rights movement in which he utilized nonviolent and peaceful
forms of struggle to fight against systemic
discrimination.
This coming year will be no
different, as The King Center is hosting the King Holiday Observance
Kick-Off, as well as aiding in the organization of events in their MLK
Day of Service Project, which seek to foster community through
education, various volunteer activities, and collaboration with local
institutions. Other organizations, such as Global Citizen, have
various events already prepared for the Martin Luther King Day of
Service.
Green Party members are encouraged to show their support for the
efforts made by Dr. King, and to safeguard the liberties and progress
gained in the wake of the civil rights movement. The Green Party will
keep pushing against the injustices that still exist and
disenfranchise millions at home and abroad. In order to do this, there
must be a start somewhere, and that start is to begin local community
organizing, to build connections, strength, and support for a working
class movement. Only through this form of independent struggle will we
be able to make change in our society. That is why opportunities like
the King Day of Service should not slip by us. They can be an
instrumental step to gain experience and to incorporate other
struggles into a wider battle for a better future.
Tristan Holland is a registered
member of the Green Party of Montgomery County, PA.
For more
information:
The King Center, https://thekingcenter.org/
Global Citizen,
https://volunteer.globalcitizen365.org/kingday
“Green Party Endorses
STOP U.S. Wars” M.L.K. Week of Action.” Green Party of PA, GREEN STAR,
January, 2023,
https://www.gpofpa.org/greenstar_january_2023
PA Green News
Edited by Chris
Robinson
PA Greens to Elect 2026
Leaders
Meeting virtually on January 11, Green
Party delegates from all corners of Pennsylvania will elect five
officers for their 2026 Steering Committee: Co-Chair, Treasurer, and
three Members-at-Large. The nomination process has already ended, and
the election will take place at the Green Party’s State Committee
meeting. The meeting will be open to the public, but only elected GPPA
delegates may vote. Please register here to receive Zoom information
for the meeting,
https://www.gpofpa.org/20260111_state_committee
Green Party Endorses Declaration of Democracy
Green Party of Pennsylvania (GPPA)
Co-chair Timothy Runkle (Lancaster) announced, “On December 5, the
GPPA Steering Committee endorsed the Declaration of Democracy
statement from March On Harrisburg (MOH). GPPA Co-chair Theron
Gilliland Jr. (Allegheny), who is also active with March on
Harrisburg, submitted the proposal.
Focusing on corruption within
the PA General Assembly, the Declaration of Democracy says, “When it
is legal to use money to buy political power and shape our society, we
all pay the price. Our Legislature cannot serve both money and people.
You cannot have ‘one person one vote’ and ‘one lobbyists dollar one
vote’ at the same time. Every special interest has an army of PACs,
and Super PACs to make sure that their voice is absolutely heard and
the needs of working people are not. There are countless ways that
money gets into politics. Countless ways that private, profit-driven
interests are able to buy influence at the expense of the working
class, our families, and our communities. While we lobby with reason,
emotion, and people power, corporate lobbyists are armed with bribes
and misinformation.”
[This story includes quotes from Chair Jay
Ting Walker, Green Party of Allegheny and GPPA Steering Committee
Member Colleen Schmotzer.]
STORY
HERE
Green Party Endorses Rural-Urban Transit for
All
On November 21, the Green Party of
Pennsylvania (GPPA) Steering Committee decided by consensus to endorse
Rural-Urban Transit for All.
In an increasingly interconnected world,
the disparity between rural and urban areas remains a significant
challenge. One of the most critical aspects of this divide is
transportation. While urban centers often boast extensive public
transit systems, rural communities are frequently underserved, leading
to isolation, limited opportunities, and hindered economic
development. "Rural-Urban Transit for All" is not just a slogan; it's
a necessity for creating equitable and sustainable communities . . .
.
In conclusion, "Rural-Urban Transit for
All" is an essential goal for building inclusive and thriving
communities. Bridging the transit gap requires a comprehensive
approach that addresses the unique challenges of rural areas,
leverages technology, fosters collaboration, and prioritizes community
engagement. By investing in flexible transit options, re-evaluating
funding mechanisms, and empowering local communities, we can create a
transportation system that connects all residents to opportunities,
services, and each other, regardless of their location. STORY
HERE
Campaign Updates
Edited by Chris Robinson
GREEN STAR will keep you posted about Green Party members
who seek the nomination to run for public office. All Green Party
members who are pursuing the GPPA nomination to run in 2026 and 2027
are welcome to contact GREEN STAR at [email protected].
The Green Party of Pennsylvania (GPPA) is looking for
voters who plan to run for elected office in 2026 as Green Party
candidates. Below is some basic information for new candidates who
might be running for the first time.
The Green Party of the U.S. has some good information,
especially “What Every Green Candidate Should Know,”
http://www.gpus.org/other/committees/campaign/manual/shouldknow.pdf This guide was written in 2004 and
was based upon a poll of candidates who ran in 2003. Little has
changed since that time, and this document remains the best, brief
guide for deciding whether or not you want to run for office as a
Green.
The next step is to register to vote as a member of the
Green Party. Most citizens with a Pennsylvania driver’s license or
similar identification may register online to vote, https://www.pavoterservices.pa.gov/Pages/VoterRegistrationApplication.aspx
Please note that you are not a registered Green Party member until you
receive a Voter ID which says “Green” under the Party designation.
Some people must try several times until this happens. If you have a
problem with voter registration, please let us know.
Your Campaign Committee
Once a Green Party member decides to run, the first task is
to organize a campaign committee (usually eight or ten friends and
relatives) who will volunteer to assist. In forming a campaign
committee, diversity is the best characteristic. One person (perhaps
the most well known) will be chair of the committee, and one person
(perhaps the most trustworthy) will be its treasurer.
For more information, please contact
[email protected]
Team Reports
Edited by Patrick O.
McNally
The Green Party of Pennsylvania
has four Action Teams.
 Communication Team
2026 is starting on the right foot for the Communications Team! As
we are expanding, we are finding many talented writers for GREEN STAR.
Writing for GREEN STAR is a great way to learn and to expand your
resume. Our bimonthly meetings are held the first and third Tuesdays.
Please apply via email to [email protected]
Please join the Communication Team right here.
www.gpofpa.org/team_communications_join
 Finance Team
Green Party of Pennsylvania provides support to Green candidates
and local parties and coordinates statewide efforts. We do not take
any money from corporations. To get ahead in 2026, we have made an
easy way for you to lend the Green Party your support. Even if you
aren't a registered Green, you can join us to promote a more peaceful,
sustainable, and equitable future through grassroots democracy,
https://www.gpofpa.org/donate
Please join the Finance Team right here.
https://www.gpofpa.org/team_finance_join
 Green Wave
Team
Our 2026 and 2027 candidate nomination process has begun! County
locals are encouraged to reach out to potential candidates. Potential
candidates from all counties are encouraged to contact Green Wave to
learn more about what offices are available and what the process is to
receive Green Party nomination and get on the ballot.
Please join the Green Wave Team right here.
www.gpofpa.org/team_greenwave_join
 Core
Team
The
Core Team establishes party rules, develops the platform, and manages
the tools and systems that maintain the Green Party and allow it to
grow. The Core Team meets at 6:30 pm on the first Monday of each
month. Please RSVP to receive the Zoom information for the next Core
Team meeting,
https://www.gpofpa.org/core_team_meeting_20260105
National Green
News
Edited by David Ochmanowicz
Jr.
Meet People Powered Green Party
Candidates
Candidates Spotlight hosted by
our hard-hitting 2024 Presidential/VP team, Jill Stein and Butch
Ware.
Meet some of the upcoming dedicated
Greens running for public office, ready to fight for you at all levels
of government: Andy Ellis, running for governor of Maryland; Michael
Dublin, running for U.S. House in North Carolina’s District 13; and
Justin Filip, running for U.S. House in Oregon’s District 4
VIDEO
HERE
Subscribe to Illinois Green
Party’s Livestream Podcast
New shows 2x weekly with Green
Party hosts Eyde Arndell and Scott
Freë
VIDEO
HERE
SUBSCRIBE HERE
NY Green Party Slams Hochul’s Retreat on Climate
Action
The Green Party of New York harshly
criticized Governor Hochul and the state legislature for its failures
in taking action to address the climate crisis. State officials admit
that NY will fail to meet the moderate goals laid out in the state’s
climate law (CLCPA), which are far weaker than in the legislation that
the Green Party had promoted. STORY
HERE
157 Greens in Elected Office in
2026
At least 157 Greens hold elected office as of November 4, 2025,
elections — Greens have been elected at least 1,662 times in history
in the U.S. — and over 7,100 times Greens have run for public office
in the U.S. – 62% for county, municipal, educational and special
district offices and 38% for state and federal partisan office.
STORY
HERE
New Merchandise Available from
GPUS
Be seen being Green. All proceeds
benefit the national Green Party.
GPPA Meeting Dates for 2026
All State Committee Meetings will begin at noon
Sunday, January 11, via Zoom
GPPA Communications
Team
Issue Credits
Editors: Hal Brown, Patrick O. McNally, David Ochmanowicz
Jr. and Chris Robinson
Contributors: Theron Gilliland Jr., Tristan Holland, Chris
Robinson, Timothy Runkle, Colleen Schmotzer and Jay Ting
Walker
Layout: Hal Brown, Sherri Miller, and David Ochmanowicz
Jr.
Graphic Arts: Kevin Richardson
Everything we do is based on our
Four
Pillars and
Ten
Key Values. If you
find that you share these ideals, come and join the
movement.
Join us and help bring about a future where people
and planet are valued over profits. We have a new, tiered membership
structure that allows you to determine your level of commitment and
support. And if you want to get more directly involved, consider
joining
an action team Work with other committed
progressives and activists in activities such as planning events,
developing media content, or helping with campaigns.
The GREEN STAR is
an official publication of the Green Party of Pennsylvania
Communications Team * 2026.
Green Party of Pennsylvania
https://www.gpofpa.org/
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