Jill Ellen Stein (born May 14, 1950) is an American physician, environmental activist, and three-time Green Party presidential candidate. She ran for president in 2012, 2016, and again in 2024, gaining national attention for her progressive stances on healthcare, climate justice, and political reform.
Early Life and Education
Stein was born in Chicago, Illinois, and raised in Highland Park in a Reform Jewish household. As a child, she attended North Shore Congregation Israel. In 1973, she graduated magna cum laude from Harvard College, where she studied psychology, sociology, and anthropology. Later, she earned her MD from Harvard Medical School in 1979.
From Medicine to Environmental Advocacy
After completing her education, Stein worked in internal medicine for 25 years in the Boston area. During this time, she also taught at Harvard Medical School. As she treated patients, she increasingly noticed a strong connection between environmental pollution and chronic illness. As a result, she shifted her focus to public health advocacy, particularly on toxic exposure, climate change, and children’s health.
Political Beginnings in Massachusetts
Stein’s political journey began in 2002 when she ran for Governor of Massachusetts as a Green-Rainbow Party candidate. Although she lost to Mitt Romney, her campaign spotlighted issues like renewable energy, healthcare access, and campaign finance reform. She ran again in 2010, challenging Deval Patrick, but was again unsuccessful. Nevertheless, she continued building a grassroots presence.
Presidential Campaigns: 2012, 2016, and 2024
In 2012, Stein secured the Green Party’s presidential nomination, running alongside Cheri Honkala. Their campaign emphasized student debt cancellation, Medicare for All, and ecological sustainability, receiving over 469,000 votes.
Four years later, in 2016, Stein ran again with Ajamu Baraka. They earned 1.1% of the popular vote, more than double their previous result. Although the Senate Intelligence Committee later investigated her campaign over alleged Russian interference, it found no wrongdoing.
On November 9, 2023, Stein declared her candidacy for the 2024 election, choosing Butch Ware as her running mate. Her platform remains focused on a “real Green New Deal”, anti-war policy, public education, and workers’ rights.
Policy Stances and Public Statements
Stein is an outspoken critic of the two-party system, which she considers structurally corrupt. She advocates for a new model of eco-socialism and grassroots democracy. After the October 2023 Hamas attack, she condemned violence from both sides, denouncing Israel’s actions in Gaza as “genocidal” and criticized President Joe Biden for his lack of intervention.
Personal Life
Jill Stein is married to Dr. Richard Rohrer, also a physician. Together, they have two sons, Ben and Noah. The family lives in Lexington, Massachusetts, where Stein remains active in local environmental initiatives.
Honors and Awards
Throughout her career, Stein has been recognized for her activism and advocacy:
- Not in Anyone’s Backyard Award (1998, Clean Water Action)
- Citizen Award (1999, Toxics Action Center)
- Children’s Health Hero Award (2000)
- Friend of the Earth Award (2004, Salem State University)
Publications
Stein co-authored two influential reports for Physicians for Social Responsibility:
- In Harm’s Way: Toxic Threats to Child Development (2000)
- Environmental Threats to Healthy Aging (2009)
These reports have been widely translated and cited in public health and environmental circles worldwide.
