U.S. Green Party wins some statewide races in 1990s and 2000s?

Not the presidency. That's pie in the sky.

But the Green Party wins some solid statewide races. And it's more than just environmental issues, as important as they are. It's a variety of issues, usually on the more liberal side of the spectrum. The party sometimes styles itself as little d democracy. In practical terms, elected officials would often caucus with the Democrats.

All the same, some thunder on the left would give the Democrats a real ride for their money! Plus a chance to position themselves as the more moderate alternative.

How do you see this playing out?
 
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It really depends a bit on what state the Green party wins in. Winning lets say a senate spot or Gov in states like Vermont or Oregon is not going boost the party by that much.

Now find a way for someone running as a Green party member to win the NY top spot or Senator from NY in lets say 02
 
Best chance is probably a small state like Hawaii or Alaska, with one or both major party candidates supremely underperforming and/or getting into legal trouble. For bonus points get a serious/important politican with money/connections to be nominated as a Green party candidate.
 
One necessity is not having Bush win in 2000 thanks to a Green spoiler effect and President Gore downplaying his environmentalist agenda and other lefty positions in favor of tacking to the centre with gusto and alienating the left from the Democratic Party. I have no idea where these victories would be outside of the obvious San Francisco mayoral election.

The present situation would depend on whether the Greens would be dominated by pure environmentalists, the economic left or the social radicals - i.e. today's Tumblr crowd.

It's all a very very very long shot, though - don't underestimate the two-party system.
 
California has 'jungle primaries' does it not.

Suppose the Greens run a big Hollywood name, 4-5 boring Democrats and one scary Republican run

in first round Republican 36% Green 22% top Democrat 21% others Dems less
 
What if the Greens ally themselves with the "slow growth" movements in cities like Los Angeles? That'll give them the necessary financial benefits, as they're supported by wealthy suburbanites. The politics would become less liberal, though, as the L.A. "slow growth" movement was often directed against lower classes (i.e.: code word for Hispanics and blacks).
 
It really depends a bit on what state the Green party wins in. Winning lets say a senate spot or Gov in states like Vermont or Oregon is not going boost the party by that much.

Now find a way for someone running as a Green party member to win the NY top spot or Senator from NY in lets say 02
Well, there was a celebrity of sorts running on the Green ticket. "Grandpa" Al Lewis, in 1998.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Lewis_(actor)
 
What if the Greens ally themselves with the "slow growth" movements in cities like Los Angeles? That'll give them the necessary financial benefits, as they're supported by wealthy suburbanites. The politics would become less liberal, though, as the L.A. "slow growth" movement was often directed against lower classes (i.e.: code word for Hispanics and blacks).
And the Green Party has been criticized for being too white and too middle-class. And to a considerable extent, the criticism is true. The biggest reason probably being the same as employment. People tend to hire people like themselves, unless they make a specific effort to branch out.

Well, the Green Party needs to make more of an effort to branch out! Especially since there are environmental justice issues where low-income persons often have scant choices regarding housing and in areas more likely to be affected by industrial pollution.
 
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