Cavlan's first attempt at electoral politics was a run for the state legislature in 2002 as a Green Party candidate. He almost failed to achieve party endorsement when he refused to disavow support for the use of violence by the Provisional Irish Republican Army. Cavlan's run ended almost as soon as it began when he lost the contested Green primary."PRIMARY ELECTION - MINNESOTA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES " (September 11, 2002) Star TribuneBoyd, Cynthia (September 11, 2002) "LEGISLATIVE INCUMBENTS WIN" Saint Paul Pioneer Press The contest was the only primary for the Green Party.Whereatt, Robert (September 9, 2002) "Vote likely to be spotty - A few contested races will draw some citizens to the polls to pare down the legislative field, state official says." Star Tribune This was one of the only primary races for the Green Party in Minnesota. His primary opponent was a former Mayor of St Louis Park for the Democratic Party.
