Go Green Campaign News

Independent Jackie Green displeased with lack of mayoral debate invitations

By Dan Klepal • July 18, 2010

As an independent candidate for Louisville mayor, Jackie Green knew that winning would be difficult. But he didn't realize that simply joining the debate over the city's future would be so tough.

Green, a bicycle enthusiast, business owner and transit activist, has been campaigning since the beginning of the year, participating in dozens of forums and debates before the primary election -- even though he wasn't on the ballot.

Since then, Green has discovered what other independent and minor party candidates have found before him: inclusion is an uphill battle, unless you're a major party primary election winner.

Green didn't receive invitations to participate in either of the first two mayoral forums since Republican Hal Heiner and Democrat Greg Fischer won their primary elections in May.

Heiner and Fischer will face each other in the Nov. 2 general election, along with up to three independent candidates, who have until Aug. 10 to file paperwork to get on the ballot. Green, who filed his paperwork last week, said his exclusion from the forums is unfair to the public.

"It leaves the perception that these two (Heiner and Fischer) are the only real options for the public, and that's incorrect," Green said. "If you want to have a real discussion, you've got to bring in the alternative candidate."

The two other independent candidates -- Nimbus Couzin and Jerry T. Mills -- did not participate in any of the forums this spring, nor have they actively campaigned for the office.

Part of problem for Green -- and most independent candidates -- is that they aren't a force among registered voters in a county where Democrats make up 59 percent and Republicans 32 percent. The state lists a third category of voter called "other" that makes up 8 percent.

Green also hasn't raised much money. Candidates in the general election aren't required to file their first fund-raising report until Oct. 6, but Green said Friday that his campaign has raised only "a couple thousand dollars."

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