Green Party names new lieutenant governor candidate

The Green Party’s prospective nominee for governor named her pick for lieutenant governor Tuesday afternoon.

Lily Benavides, who is seeking signatures to reach the ballot, tapped Lisa Ryan, an activist and software engineer, as her running mate. Benavides is seeking to replace Stephen Zielinski Sr. as the Green Party’s nominee for governor — he ended his bid for governor last week, citing a serious health issue. Benavides will now need to earn 2,000 signatures by Aug. 21 to earn a spot on the ballot.

Ryan graduated from Rowan University in 2021, according to her LinkedIn, and currently works as a public safety telecommunicator.

“I am honored to be given the chance to run alongside Lily as Lt. Governor for the Green Party of New Jersey,” Ryan said. “I stand with Lily against war and genocide, and in solidarity with the Palestinian people along with all oppressed communities fighting for liberation. I want to be able to raise the voices of those who cannot do so for themselves while also upholding the ten key values of the Green Party.”

In the release, the Green Party said they are “on their way” to the 2,000-signature threshold. Benavides said Ryan is a strong advocate for the party and its priorities.

“I am nominating Lisa Ryan for Lt. Governor because she is a strong, outspoken and unapologetic woman who cares for the people and who knows the struggles of the people, personally, in her own life,” Benavides said in the release. “The Green Party will be well represented by Lisa. She will put the interest of the community over her own interest. I am proud to have her by my side as a running mate.”