Across the country, there were some strong showings and nice victories for Green Party candidates running for local office.  Minneapolis City Councilor Cam Gordon, and Cleveland City Councilor Brian Cummins, were both re-elected. 16 California Greens won local office, which was a record for off-year elections. And in New England, Josh Plourde was elected to the Bangor City Council, Anna Trevorrow was elected to the Portland School Board, and Mirna Martinez was elected to the New London Board of Education.

In Massachusetts, Green-Rainbow Party candidates for local office included three first-time candidates. Joe Carvalho’s bid for Mayor of Fall River saw him place second in a field of six to advance to yesterday’s election, but fell short of ousting incumbent Mayor William Flanagan. Elie Yarden’s campaign for Cambridge City Council saw him place 20th out of 25 candidates for 9 seats. And Francisco White’s bid for Boston City Council At Large placed him 16th out of 19 candidates for 4 seats during September’s preliminary election. Rick Purcell came in 12th out 13 candidates for Holyoke’s eight At Large City Council seats. And Mark Miller, who came within 981 votes of Pittsfield’s State Representative seat in 2010, came in 6th in a field of 7 for 4 at large Pittsfield City Council seats.

While some of the most exciting progress for the Green Party has been with municipally elected Greens, the party does not seem to be gaining much traction overall, after nearly three decades of running for local office. I think it’s an important time to reflect on those three decades, and the experience we have developed  engaging with this admittedly rigged process. The times are a-changing, but I’m not sure our tactics are changing with them. I’m also not convinced they should change dramatically, but I’d like to see them add up to dramatic change. Unfortunately, I don’t see it. I invite all Green and Green-Rainbow candidates and supporters, as well as all of our dear readers, to comment here with your reflections. And I am incredibly grateful, even though I haven’t made that particularly clear, for the work, sweat, vision and courage that the brave few throwing their hats into the ring have brought to the table.