Ken Pentel bemoans Federal convictions for Green Party Councilman

In an article by Randy Furst at the Star Tribune the Green Party's perennial candidate for Governor Ken Pentel bemoans the Federal corruption convictions of the Green Party's Minneapolis Councilman Dean Zimmerman:

"Obviously this particular situation is upsetting," said Ken Pentel, the Green Party's candidate for governor. "But it pales in comparison to the massive wealth that pours into our political system."

Zimmermann, who could face up to five years in prison, was found guilty Thursday in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis of accepting $7,200 from a real estate developer in return for working to get zoning changes on a condominium development and helping the developer start a new Somali mall.

"I feel really bad about the whole situation," Pentel said. "I'm friends with Dean, and I care about him." While he said he believes Zimmermann made mistakes, he doesn't believe he's guilty of bribery.

While it is unfortunate that the FBI is not winning more notable bribery and corruption charges against defense contractors instead of having to pursue criminal investigations and prosecutions of local elected officials, it is very much a sign that many Greens are as deeply cynical about the value of public service as members of any other political party.

Cam Gordon, the only Green now on the City Council, attended parts of Zimmermann's trial.

"I think it will feed people's cynicism," he said. "It's bad publicity."

He said he worries that "people could be turned off to politics in general" and be less inclined to get involved. "It's tragic and sad," he said. "I really do feel for Dean and his family."

Steven Schier, a professor of political science at Carleton College, noted that the former state chairman of the Green Party was quoted last week siding entirely with Zimmermann after the verdicts.

"I think it's hard for a political party to continue to embrace a convicted felon," Schier said "That's no way to broaden your appeal. I think the Green Party has got to move beyond Dean Zimmermann and the controversy surrounding him because that is a big negative to voters."

Asked if he thought Zimmermann's conviction was only "a bump in the road," a phrase used by Pentel and Dave Berger, the Green Party's candidate for auditor, Schier said, "It could be a bump in the road, but it was enough to really shake the chassis."

Another Minnesota newspaper, the Bemidji Pioneer recently published an article covering Ken Pentel's appearance at a Green Party fundraiser, where strangely enough he claimed the Green Party stands for honest democracy (among other things):

“What do third parties have to offer?” he asked about 30 Bemidji Greens who held a potluck dinner at Diamond Point Park. “We may not have a lot of money … but we have a sense of vision that’s practical, that’s sustainable, that establishes security long-term for generations yet to be born.”
Ken Pentel, the Green Party of Minnesota-endorsed candidate for governor, speaks to about 30 Bemidji Greens on Thursday night at Diamond Point Park, emphasizing honesty in democracy, energy independence and support for single-payer universal health care.
Those values “are a natural magnet for people in our society today,” he said.

Pentel, making his third run at the governor’s office, finds himself this time running as a minor party candidate, without the automatic ballot access that is given to the DFL, Republican and Independence parties. It means possible exclusion from debates, joining the lower-rung status candidates have with the Libertarian, Constitution or American parties.

The party needs to have one of its five statewide candidates this fall to get at least 5 percent of the vote to regain major party status — and automatic access to the ballot for its candidates.

That’s why one of Pentel’s three major issues is campaigning for “honest democracy,” which includes proportional voting and instant runoff voting, both ballot procedures designed to give more power to third parties.

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