Glens Falls Post-Star: October 21, 2018

Olean Times Herald: October 22, 2018

Howie Hawkins, Green Party candidate, and Marc Molinaro, Republican, have a surprising amount in common in their quest to be elected governor of New York. Both consider political corruption one of the biggest problems facing the state, and they offer similar fixes. Both want to change the way New York handles economic development spending and funnel much of that money into infrastructure. Both, unlike Gov. Andrew Cuomo, made time for an hour-long meeting with The Post-Star editorial board....

Hawkins brings a refreshing pragmatism to politics. He has no sharp edges, just a sincere commitment to principles such as the right to a job with a decent wage, accessible health care and a quality education. In the current context, with scientists around the globe warning of a looming climate crisis, the Green Party’s focus on environmental issues no longer seems like a fringe platform. Hawkins advocates, for example, that the state transition to 100 percent green energy by 2030, a goal that may at one time have seemed unrealistic but now seems necessary.

For immediate release: October 21, 2018

NY Post: October 19, 2018

By Nolan Hicks

Cuo-no.

Every gubernatorial candidate in the state — except Gov. Cuomo — agreed Friday to attend a debate organized by the League of Women Voters.

New York Times: October 19, 2018

Howie Hawkins, who is running for governor of New York, has run for an elective office 24 times. He has lost 23 times. Despite his losing record, he doesn’t get discouraged.

For immediate release: October 19, 2018

Howie Hawkins, the Green Party candidate for Governor, says he will participate in the League of Women Voters’ gubernatorial debate regardless of which other candidates agree to show up.

Hawkins thanked the LWV for organizing the debate and inviting all the candidates to attend.

“The League is viewed as the gold standard for holding debates. It is time for Cuomo and Molinaro to stop their political gamesmanship and show up to give the voters’ the opportunity to hear all the candidates for Governor discuss their ideas about how to make our state better,” said Hawkins.

Hawkins urged the media to cover the debate, including broadcasting it on television and cable.

“The media needs to stand up for democracy and the voters’ right to have a debate and stop caving in to the demands of Governor Cuomo. Stop covering elections like a reality game show and remember the media’s historic role in our democracy, a role enshrined in our Bill of Rights,” added Hawkins.

Gannett Albany Bureau: October 19, 2018

But Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins said he would be there if asked.

"I don't need any time to prepare to debate Cuomo. Please give me a call to arrange for my participation," Hawkins wrote on Twitter.

For immediate release: October 19, 2018

Greens Call for “Clean Money” System of Full Public Campaign Financing

Green Party candidates Howie Hawkins (for Governor) and Mark Dunlea (for State Comptroller) said that Cuomo’s fundraising practices highlights the need for New York to adopt a full public campaign finance program to end the practice of selling government to the highest bidder.

The State Comptroller’s office has long been viewed as a prime source of pay-to-play problems with donation in New York, so much so that the state had a limited public campaign finance pilot for the office four years ago.

Hawkins mocked Gov. Cuomo after his spokeswoman Abbey Collins said, "No donation of any size influences any government action — period."

“Really? That’s what Trump says while he uses his office to enrich himself. Like Trump, many of Cuomo’s top aides and donors are leading a parade to prison for public corruption,” Hawkins said.

“Big pay-to-play campaign donations have become the most lucrative investment that wealthy real estate, Wall Street, and other special interests doing business with the state can make. The taxpayers are stuck with the bill for the tax breaks, subsidies, contracts, and regulatory favors this legalized bribery buys,” added Dunlea.

NY State of Politics: October 19, 2018

Cuomo so far has not agreed to a televised debate with Molinaro or accept one that includes the minor party candidates like Larry Sharpe of the Libertarians, the Green Party’s Howie Hawkins and Stephanie Miner, a Democrat mounting an independent bid for governor.

Gotham Gazette: October 19, 2018

With just two and a half weeks to go until election day, Governor Andrew Cuomo, a two-term Democrat running for reelection, has not yet agreed to a general election debate with his challengers.

A new poll from Quinnipiac University shows Cuomo leading Republican challenger Marc Molinaro 58 percent to 35 percent among likely voters, suggesting that the race will likely be a landslide for the governor. Third party candidates Stephanie Miner of the Serve America Movement, Howie Hawkins of the Green Party, and Larry Sharpe of the Libertarian Party, were not included in the poll. 

The four challengers have repeatedly called on the governor to participate in debates ahead of the November 6 general election.

Watertown Daily Times: October 19, 2018

By Howie Hawkins

I am the Green Party candidate for governor.

Four years ago, I finished third with 5 percent of the vote. Several of the issues I raised such as a ban on fracking, a $15 an hour minimum wage and paid family leave were at least partially adopted by Gov. Andrew Cuomo after the election.

After the primary debate, which largely ignored upstate New York and many critical issues starting with climate change, I proposed four regional debates (New York City Metro area, Capital District, Central New York and Western New York) to each focus on a topic area: the economy; government reform; environment and climate; and social policy, including education, health care, housing, criminal justice and civil rights.

The debate rules should be determined by all of the candidates and the media and civic organizations, not just Mr. Cuomo. The media and civic organizations should organize the debates and hold them whether or not Cuomo decides to appear.