American voters looking for a progressive, environmentally focused candidate with a proven history of challenging the political mainstream have a choice in 2024. Jill Stein, the Green Party nominee and two-time presidential candidate, has another shot. Known for her advocacy for climate justice, health care for all and social equality, Stein is positioning herself as an alternative in a race dominated by major party figures. As a secular Jew who grew up in Reform Judaism and deeply values social justice, Stein has previously made headlines for her bold stance on US foreign policy, including opposition to aid to Israel and support for the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) -movement. Her left-wing platform, which favors a “Green New Deal” and a significant reduction in military spending, aims to energize voters disillusioned by the familiar faces of Kamala Harris and Donald Trump and break the well-trodden path of to disrupt America's two-party system. system.
Who is Jill Stein?
Jill Stein is a former physician and environmental attorney and brings a wealth of experience to the ballot. She advocates bold policies focused on the Green New Deal and social justice with her call for 'people, planet and peace'. Although her poll numbers hover between 1.1 and 1.4 percent nationally, her message resonates deeply with a small minority who long for real change.
Early life and education
Jill Stein, born May 14, 1950 in Chicago, is of Russian Jewish descent. She attended North Shore Congregation Israel and was deeply influenced by the values she was taught. In a 2012 interview, she noted the significant impact of Reform Judaism's emphasis on social justice, saying that her parents—particularly her Holocaust survivor mother—taught her the importance of social responsibility.
She graduated from Harvard University in 1973 with a degree in sociology and received her medical degree from Harvard Medical School in 1979.
From doctor to activist
Jill Stein began her career as an instructor in internal medicine at Harvard Medical School. She practiced medicine for 25 years. As a doctor in the 1990s, she saw how exposure to toxic substances linked to environmental problems damaged our health. This realization drove her to fight for a cleaner environment, helping nonprofits and marginalized communities tackle environmental injustice and racism. She played a key role in the cleanup of the “Filthy Five” coal-fired power plants in Massachusetts, raising national pollution standards.
Stein also worked to close a toxic medical waste incinerator in Lawrence, Massachusetts, a low-income area of New England. She helped improve fishing advisories to better protect women, children, Native Americans and immigrants from mercury contamination.
Seeing how lobbyists and campaign contributions were blocking health and environmental protections, Stein focused on campaign finance reform. She helped pass the Clean Elections Act through a voter referendum, which passed by a two-to-one margin. However, the Democratic-controlled Massachusetts Legislature later repealed it. This event solidified Stein's affiliation with the Green Party and her commitment to reducing corporate influence in politics.
In 2003, Jill Stein co-founded the Massachusetts Coalition for Healthy Communities. Five years later, she led the “Secure Green Future” voting initiative. This measure was intended to shift subsidies from fossil fuels to renewable energy and create green jobs. It received overwhelming support, winning more than 81 percent of the vote in the districts where it appeared on the ballot.
Political career
Jill Stein joined the Green Party in 2002, driven by her growing dissatisfaction with the Democratic Party's stance on environmental and social issues. The final blow was the repeal of the Clean Election Law in Massachusetts, which provided public funding for candidates who did not receive large private donations.
Stein's transition to the Green Party began in 2000 when she served on the Massachusetts Democratic Party's platform committee. She advocated for environmental and social justice action, but felt her efforts were ignored. In 2002, Stein ran for governor of Massachusetts as the Green-Rainbow Party candidate. She later became a member of the Lexington Town Meeting in 2005.
2012 presidential election campaign
Jill Stein ran for president in 2012 as a Green Party candidate. Her campaign focused on the Green New Deal, Medicare for All, free higher education, ending wars and occupations, and climate action.
During her campaign, Stein faced challenges, including being excluded from major presidential debates due to Commission on Presidential Debates rules that required candidates to poll 15 percent nationally. Undeterred, Stein took part in alternative debates and spoke to voters through social media and grassroots events. She and running mate Cheri Honkala were arrested when they tried to enter the Hofstra University debate grounds.
On election day, Stein received only 0.4 percent of the vote. Stein's 2012 run laid the groundwork for her subsequent presidential campaigns in 2016 and 2024.
2016 presidential election campaign
In her 2016 presidential campaign, Jill Stein focused on the “Power to the People Plan,” focusing on the Green New Deal, jobs as a right, and healthcare and education as fundamental rights. Her campaign gained popularity, especially among Bernie Sanders supporters at the Democratic National Convention. Stein selected human rights activist Ajamu Baraka as her running mate, and her campaign raised more than $11 million, which qualified for federal matching funds.
On Election Day, she received more than 1.07 percent of the vote and performed well in Hawaii, Oregon and Vermont.
Jill Stein's position on Israel
Jill Stein previously called for an end to all foreign aid to Israel, accusing the country of committing war crimes. Her campaign supported the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement and claimed that Israel is engaging in policies similar to apartheid and illegal settlements. She has also publicly criticized US support for Israel, arguing that it enables the Israeli government's worst behavior.
In 2016, she tweeted against her opponents “Pro Israel” Democrat Bernie Sanders and Republican Donald Trump, saying: “If you don't want to vote for a warmonger or racist billionaire, there are more options. The political revolution will continue.”
Awards and recognition
Jill Stein has won several awards for her work in health and environmental protection, including Clean Water Action's 'Not in Everyone's Backyard' Award and the 'Children's Health Hero' Award.
She has appeared on major television programs as an environmental health expert and served on the board of Physicians for Social Responsibility.
Work
Jill Stein is co-author of two major reports: In Harm's Way: Toxic Threats to Child Development (2000) and Environmental Threats to Healthy Aging (2009). The first report has been translated into four languages and is being used worldwide as a tool for health and environmental justice, connecting human health, social justice and green economies.