Greens say they'll be back

Earlier in the week, I wondered aloud why the Green Party of New Jersey only had one candidate in the entire state on the ballot in this year's elections - someone running for county clerk in Hunterdon. A phone call to the state chairman, George DeCarlo, seeking an explanation went unreturned. He called back today, and assured me the Green Party remained active.
He said the Greens decided to expend all their energy on local races next year. His definition of local includes state races. He says the party hopes to field candidates for all 80 Assembly seats next year. It also has been working with the Libertarian and Conservative parties to improve ballot access.
The most candidates the New Jersey Greens ever fielded was 51, in 2003. Last year, Brian Unger won 18 percent of the vote in his bid for a freeholder seat on the Monmouth County freeholder board. The Green's gubernatorial candidate last year won more votes in Monmouth County than any county in the state.