A new Zogby poll of New York State shows Green Party candidates making impressive gains among independent voters.

In the governor’s race, Green candidate Malachy McCourt is picking up 14% of the independents against Democrat Eliot Spitzer’s 53% and Republican John Faso’s 20%.

But, more impressive is the Senate race where Democrat Hillary Clinton picks up only 38% of the independent vote, Republican John Spencer 28% and Green Party Candiddate Howie Hawins 21%

In the Attorney General’s race Democrat Andrew Cuomo scores 31% of the independent vote, Republican Jeanine Pirro 25% and Green candidate Rachel Treichler 17%.

These gains are not matched among Republican and Democratic voters where Green candidates only score in single digits which holds down their overall showing. However, since independents are the only segment of the voting population that is growing–especially among younger voters–this is an indication that the Green Party has the potential to become a much more significant force in electoral politics in the future.

In Maryland, Kevin Zeese has shown nearly as strong support in the one available poll that provides a breakdown of the vote; a Survey USA poll from mid September.  In that poll Steele captured 45% of independent voters, Cardin 39% and Zeese 12%.  As in New York, very low numbers among Democrats (2%) and Republicans (3%) kept Kevin’s overall numbers low.  It would be interesting to see a breakdown on a more recent poll to see if Kevin is picking up any momentum among independents like the New York Greens.