Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, April 12, 2018

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A former UPS worker from Syracuse, Hawkins is the Green Party's pick for governor.

ALBANY - Howie Hawkins, whose 2014 run for governor cemented the Green Party on New York's political ballots, will run again this fall.

Hawkins, of Syracuse, launched his gubernatorial campaign Thursday near the state Capitol, vowing to push a liberal-leaning agenda in hopes of forcing other candidates to the left.

"Progressives need to raise our expectations and demand more," Hawkins said. "We are demanding a change to the system."

With the Green Party's support, Hawkins will be on the ballot this fall, when Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat, hopes to seek a third term.

A frequent candidate for office, Hawkins picked up more than 180,000 votes in the 2014 election, vaulting the Green Party to the fourth line on New York ballots for the next for years. He ran in 2010, as well.

Each party's candidate for governor must get at least 50,000 votes in order for the party to keep an automatic position on New York ballots.

At his campaign kick-off Thursday, Hawkins called for a ban on new fossil-fuel infrastructure, passage of a bill that would create a single-payer health care system and a quicker shift to renewable energy.

Cuomo, meanwhile, is facing a Democratic primary challenge from Sex and the City star Cynthia Nixon. Republicans Marc Molinaro, John DeFrancisco and Joseph Holland are seeking their party's nomination.