NY State of Politics, March 20, 2018

Green Party gubernatorial candidate Howie Hawkins in a statement Tuesday welcomed Cynthia Nixon to the race for governor, saying her run could help spur needed debates on issues.

“I welcome Cynthia Nixon’s entrance into the gubernatorial race. Her candidacy should open up debate on issues New York must address, starting with the need to finally fully and equitably fund all public schools,” Hawkins said. “I hope her candidacy will provoke more action in Albany during this legislative session around funding mass transit, public campaign finance, ethics reform, single payer health care, and clean energy.”

Hawkins is making his third bid for governor this year. In 2014, Hawkins pushed for a $15 minimum wage and supported a ban on hydrofracking. Both became policies adopted by Cuomo after he won a second term.

Hawkins wants to work with Nixon, or at least appear with her upstate for a forum to discuss issues in the election, he said.

“I would be happy to host a public forum with Cynthia Nixon in my home city of Syracuse for a wide-ranging discussion of the issues,” he said.