Green lawmaker seeks status as caucus leader

AUGUSTA – The only Green Independent party member in the Legislature wants formal recognition as the leader of his party caucus, saying he secured that status in a one-person election earlier this week.

“Dear Mr. Speaker,” Green Independent Rep. John Eder of Portland wrote to House Speaker Patrick Colwell on Tuesday:

“I am writing to inform you that a House Green Independent caucus was held on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2003, at 12:30 p.m. At this caucus I was elected minority floor leader for the 121st Maine Legislature.

“I would like to ask you to formally recognize me in this position and give me guidance on how to proceed. I look forward to speaking with you about this matter. Thank you in advance for your guidance and support.”

In a lunchtime interview Thursday, Eder said his request was serious and sincere.

“There will be other Greens behind me,” he said, adding that for the time being, “it’s a given that I’m the only one here.”

House Speaker Patrick Colwell expressed a willingness to take up the matter, but indicated he had some reservations.

“I’m happy to speak with him, and I’m certainly going to consider his request,” said Colwell, D-Gardiner.

“I recognize they’re a legitimate party. I’ve treated them that way,” Colwell added.

In December, Eder was awarded a House Green minority office in the Cross State Office Building next to the State House.

At the time, Eder said the decision to make a party office available to him was “very fair.”

Democrats outnumber Republicans 80-67 in the Maine House of Representatives. There are also three independents who have not been assigned offices.

“This one is a little different,” Colwell said of Eder’s latest request. “We don’t have a parliamentary government here like they do in England or France.”

Eder became the first of his party to win a legislative seat in Maine by outpolling Democrat David Garrity in November by a 2-1 margin in House District 31 in Portland’s West End.