DeKALB | Some voters who are displeased with the Republican and Democratic candidates in the gubernatorial race may be evaluating third-party candidates for the first time.

Rich Whitney, Green Party candidate for governor, has emerged from a party typically associated with “tree-hugging.”

The results of a SurveyUSA poll, released Tuesday showed that Whitney has 14 percent of the vote, while Republican Judy Baar Topinka took 34 percent and Democratic Governor Rod Blagojevich was in the lead with 44 percent. Eight percent of voters responded with “undecided” or “other.”

Disappointment and disgust with Democratic and Republican parties and/or candidates is high among voters this election. Whitney is gaining popularity with his promise for clean government and new ideas.

“One thing Rich has talked about that is important to college students is bringing tuition down and reforming education funding,” said Whitney’s communications director Tim Tacker.

“Another thing is health care,” Tacker said. “Rich wants to have Medicare for everybody that is government-financed but not government-run. This would be better health care for everyone at a cheaper price.”

Whitney also has a large focus on the environment, Tacker said, and promises a “New Deal” for sustainable energy, which could also create more jobs in the state.

But as in any campaign, Whitney’s opposition questions his platform.

Sheila Nix, campaign manager for Governor Rod Blagojevich, feels candidates should get to know Rich Whitney better.

“There are probably a lot of things people don’t know about Rich Whitney,” Nix said, referring to Whitney’s somewhat controversial support of open carry, which allows any person without a criminal record to openly carry a firearm.

Because third parties tend to have low success rates in elections, Whitney’s chances of becoming the next governor have been questioned.

“The rules of American elections are so heavily stacked against third party candidates that it is virtually impossible for a third party candidate to win an election,” said political science professor Matthew Streb.

Whitney’s campaign people remain positive, though.

“Our numbers keep going up,” said David Sacks, office manager for the Whitney campaign. “We’re very optimistic.”

Many third party candidates are successful in taking — if not winning — votes away from the other candidates and affecting the outcome of the election.

“If the election is close, his supporters could influence who wins the election,” Streb said. “The 2000 presidential election is a perfect example of the role third party candidates can play in the outcomes of close elections. Ralph Nader and, to a lesser extent, Pat Buchanan, both took away votes from Al Gore and George Bush.”