It ain't easy being Green, especially if you want to win a seat in the Manitoba Legislature.

But the Green Party is determined to finally break through and win its first one on Tuesday.

"I think the largest challenge is getting voters to commit toward voting for us. If everyone who wanted to vote Green did, we'd win ridings," said Manitoba Green Party leader James Beddome. "This time, take a chance with the Greens, let us show what we can do."

It's clear Beddome is connecting with many voters. A Mainstreet Research poll of viewers following Tuesday's televised leaders' debate found nearly half (49%) had a favourable view of the Green Party leader, while a follow-up poll conducted Thursday night put the party neck-and-neck with the Liberals for third place.

While Greens have yet to be elected, some of their ideas have made it to the legislature. Beddome notes his party called for a cosmetic pesticide ban, which Manitoba's NDP government later put in place.

"Other parties borrow our ideas and it's fine. But it's time we elect the originators, not the imitators," he said.

Translating that support into seats is a much greater challenge. Beddome notes Green candidates aren't full-time politicians and typically must campaign while holding down full-time jobs.

Experts agree the Greens' best shots at a seat would come from Beddome's Fort Garry-Riverview race or from that of Wolseley candidate Dave Nickarz.

Paul Thomas, a University of Manitoba politics professor, said Beddome's confident debate performance should help.

"For a fledgling party that's struggling to get off the ground, you need a strong leader upfront," said Thomas.

With very little money and backup staff, Thomas noted the Greens still face an uphill battle they're unlikely to win.

"I think they have probably gained ground with more experience but voters aren't convinced yet," said Thomas.

Thomas said strategic voting against the embattled NDP government could also decrease the chance of a Green or even a Liberal breakthrough, as such voters fear "wasting" a vote on a party that stands little chance of getting elected.

Christopher Adams, a Manitoba political author, said their chance is also hindered by the fact environmentalists across the province support the Greens but have yet to be concentrated enough in one riding to earn them a seat.

The Greens have finished in second-place in Wolseley in the last three elections but trailed the NDP by more than 2,800 votes in 2011.

"To make that breakthrough from zero to one seat is a very daunting task," said Adams.

He believes the Greens are much more likely to see some of their platform pledges succeed.

"The measure of Green successes is kind of different than that of other parties. They're in it for the environment, not so much to be in Hansard," Adams said.

jpursaga@postmedia.com

Twitter: @pursagawpgsun

FEELING GREEN?

Where the Greens stand their best chance on election night:

Fort Garry-Riverview: Area candidate and Manitoba Green Leader James Beddome impressed many viewers during a recent televised leaders’ debate and presented a costed platform this election. But his challenger, incumbent NDP Education Minister James Allum, won 55% of the vote to the Greens’ 4% in 2011, offering a steep hill to climb. Allum may suffer this time around from his close alliance with incumbent Premier Greg Selinger, whose own low approval ratings have been blamed for dragging down his party.

Wolseley: Traditionally the riding that offers the Greens’ best shot at election, federal Green leader Elizabeth May helped doorknock in the area on Friday, attracting more attention just before the vote. Though the NDP has soared to victory in the past, Liberal candidate Shandi Strong, a transgender woman and advocate, could help split the socially progressive vote and assist the Greens in gaining ground.

— Pursaga