Genter confirms candidacy

Stuff reports:

Genter joined Green backbencher Marama Davidson in the race to become co-leader of the party, following Metiria Turei’s resignation last year after an admission of benefit fraud and subsequent political firestorm.

Davidson was widely considered to be the favourite – as unsuccessful candidate Kevin Hague was during the last race in 2015.

Genter is the candidate who is most likely able to appeal to people who don’t currently vote Green.

Genter said the party could grow its vote – at six per cent in the last Newshub/Reid Research poll – by presenting a unified caucus, effecting real change within Government, and maintaining a strong difference from Labour in the 2020 election.

Those votes would come from everywhere, but the first priority should be winning back the four per cent of voters lost between 2014 and 2017.

I’m not sure they are the best target. I think they were Labour voters who gave up on Labour due to hopeless leaders. Now Labour has Jacinda, I can’t see them leaving.

The best target may be centrist voters who want more done on the environment.