Franklin County Green Party

09/08/2026

04/14/2026

"They want us to stay silent while Palestinians remain imprisoned and while immigrants and activists are targeted here at home.

We refuse.

On Palestinian Prisoners Day, join us in Columbus to demand freedom for Palestinian hostages and everyone detained by ICE.

🗓 Friday, April 17
🕡 6:30 PM
📍 Goodale Park Gazebo
120 W Goodale St, Columbus, OH 43215

Bring your keffiyeh, signs, flags, friends, and your voice.

We stand against imprisonment, detention, torture, and the criminalization of our communities. From Palestine to Columbus, we know our struggles are connected.

ICE OUT.
FREE PALESTINE.
FREE THEM ALL."

10/27/2025

Franklin County Greens,

As we approach the November 4th election, here's the following guidance to voters seeking an independent, progressive alternative rooted in the values of social justice, ecological wisdom, and grassroots democracy.

Columbus Board of Education Race
The Green Party does not endorse any candidates backed by the Democratic Party or corporate-aligned interests due to conflicts with our principles of transparency and anti-corruption. Instead, we support truly independent and community-rooted candidates committed to equitable public education and democratic reform.

We recommend supporting:

Mounir Lynch, a public health educator focused on combating privatization and promoting equity in schools.

Kimber Mason, a community activist advocating for transparency and inclusive education governance.

Janeece Keyes, a grassroots organizer emphasizing fair funding and community-driven reforms.

These candidates represent the progressive change and accountability Greens stand for, opposing corporate influence and entrenched party machines.

Ballot Measures

Issue 1 (Mental Health Service Tax Levy)
Support. The Green Party supports investing in mental health, addiction, and social services through fair and sustainable funding. A property tax levy of $74 per $100,000 assessed value aligns with our platform’s call for equitable and adequate public investment in community well-being.

Issue 2 (Zoo Maintenance Tax)
Oppose. The Green Party is fundamentally opposed to the captivity and exploitation of animals in zoos and similar facilities. Our platform calls for the abolition of public and private zoos, redirecting funds currently used for zoos toward restoration of natural habitats, anti-poaching efforts, and sanctuaries that replicate natural environments for animals unable to return to the wild. Therefore, we oppose any property tax levy that funds zoo maintenance or expansion.

Issue 9 (Public Utility Infrastructure Bond)
Support. The Green Party supports infrastructure investments that prioritize renewable energy, public ownership, and community resilience. Bonds for maintaining water, sewer, and power infrastructure should be approved if they promote green energy, waste reduction, and public control over essential services, avoiding privatization that undermines environmental sustainability.

Issues 5–8 primarily continue essential funding for city services like transportation and recreation. Since grassroots groups such as TransitColumbus endorse these renewals and no serious opposition has emerged, the Green Party advises an informed Yes vote to maintain vital public services.

The Green Party reaffirms its commitment to combating the corrupting influence of unlimited in-kind campaign contributions and entrenched political interests. Our mission remains to elevate grassroots voices, secure fair elections, and foster social and ecological well-being for all Franklin County residents.

As of this writing, the Green Party has not made endorsements for City Attorney or City Auditor races due to lack of appropriate independent candidates in these contests.

For City Council races, particularly in key contested districts, Greens advocate for candidates who run grassroots campaigns opposing corporate-backed incumbents.

Jesse Vogel for City Council District 7 stands out as a reform candidate focusing on renter protections, transparency, and equitable public transportation. Greens encourage voters to research such candidates who align with Green values.

Incumbents are not endorsed in any local races

Philena Farley
Ohio Delegate

04/24/2025

Local advocacy group Transit Columbus has long pushed COTA to seriously consider free fares, pointing to what they see as successful test cases in cities like Albuquerque, Kansas City and Boston (where only certain key routes were made fare-free). Philadelphia also has a pilot program that has sent out over 24,000 free transit passes to low-income residents.

The Central Ohio Transit Authority is looking into the idea of eliminating fares on its buses. Earlier this week, the agency’s board approved spending up to $320,000 on a “No-Fare Feasibility Study,” to be performed by a California-based company called Four Nines Technologies. The study would ...

04/18/2024

https://www.earthdaycolumbus.org/volunteer #/

Volunteer with Green Columbus for Earth Day 2023

07/26/2022

Columbus, OH — Last night, Columbus City Council approved $1,000,000 in emergency funding to Mid-Ohio Food Collective (MOFC) to help meet the urgent and overwhelming needs of Columbus families facing food insecurity. MOFC will use the funds to help replenish critically low food supplies so that more shelf-stable food can be distributed to agency partners that put food on people’s tables across our community.

The need for food assistance in Central Ohio is at unprecedented levels as families struggle to make ends meet in the face of the highest inflation rates in over 40 years. Households are facing impossible choices while dealing with the high costs of groceries, energy, and rent as well as other necessary expenses like child care and health care. Consequently, service levels in Columbus and Franklin County have increased dramatically in recent months, setting new records that far surpass those set during the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Mid-Ohio Food Collective is one of our City and Central Ohio’s most effective nonprofit partners,” said Council President Shannon Hardin. “Quality food and housing are the two most basic needs that we work together to provide for families struggling to make ends meet.”

At the same time, MOFC itself is battling supply chain and inflationary issues that make it difficult to acquire enough food to meet the record levels of need. Available product from federal government sources is down dramatically, forcing MOFC to purchase more food while the cost for most products has increased substantially.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has had a disastrous impact on families in Columbus. Two years later we continue to battle with COVID variants, a housing crisis and an economic downturn. The cost of food has soared leaving families to struggle to pay for their next meal. This is unacceptable,” says Councilmember Shayla Favor, Chair of the Health and Human Services Committee. “We must do all that we can to make sure every family in Columbus and Central Ohio have access to safe and healthy food. I thank everyone at the Mid-Ohio Food Collective for their work and leadership in completing that mission.”

In response to these challenges, MOFC has also committed to spending $1 million of its general operating funds for the immediate purchase of additional groceries. This action, paired with the city’s timely investment of $1,000,000, will help MOFC to meet the increased needs of customers across its 20-county service area during these challenging times.

“The City of Columbus is a critical partner of Mid-Ohio Food Collective. Their leadership and support is helping to supply wholesome food to individuals, families, and seniors throughout Columbus,” said Matt Habash, President & CEO of Mid-Ohio Food Collective. “While we are very grateful for this support, we will need additional help to ensure that we can continue to feed our hungry neighbors.”

Media Contact: Malik Perkins, PR Manager (937) 545-1402

About Mid-Ohio Food Collective

Mid-Ohio Food Collective is the umbrella organization that holds five assets: Mid-Ohio Foodbank, its anchor asset, Mid-Ohio Farm, Mid-Ohio Markets, Mid-Ohio Farmacy, and Mid-Ohio Kitchen. Mid-Ohio Food Collective has a network of 680 partner agencies across 20 counties to connect those in need to nutritious food. Learn more by visiting mofc.org