Minnesota Greens leaning toward McKinney

The Green Party of Minnesota held its statewide caucus and a nonbinding presidential straw poll last night. Former Georgia Democratic congresswoman Cynthia McKinney received 62 percent of the votes with 50 of 67 state Senate districts reporting, according to the party’s Web site.

Other candidates include Jesse Johnson, Kent Mesplay and Kat Swift. Former Green Party presidential candidate Ralph Nader has said he does not want the endorsement of the party and has garnered little support.

The Minnesota Greens decided to keep their caucus on March 4 despite the DFL, the Republican Party and the Independence Party moving their caucuses up to Super Tuesday, because the party opposes the lengthening of the election process. The party’s 12 delegates to the national convention will be chosen at the state convention in June.