ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins is kicking off his campaign for New York governor, vowing to build on his third-place finish four years ago.
Hawkins announced his campaign Wednesday. He says that if elected he would support raising the minimum wage, more investments in renewable energy and public transportation, a ban on hydraulic fracturing and higher taxes on wealthy earners.
Hawkins says that while he’s realistic about his chances as a third-party candidate, he believes many voters want an alternative to Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Republican candidate Rob Astorino.
A Syracuse resident, Hawkins is a longtime activist and is employed by UPS.
Hawkins won nearly 60,000 votes to finish third in the 2010 race behind Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Republican candidate Carl Paladino.
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