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Grace Ross wins gubernatorial election!
Friday, July 28— At today's summit a cross section of Boston youth groups—and some beyond Boston—gathered together to "Speak Up & Speak Out" about issues that affect them. The summit was an all day event that included workshops, musical performances, a Gubernatorial Forum and a Youth Election. Green-Rainbow candidate Grace Ross won this Gubernatorial vote with a 17 point spread.
Ross, independent Christy Mihos, Ron Bell of Deval Patrick's campaign, and a representative of Tom Reilly's campaign made brief presentations and engaged the youth in a Question and Answer Session. Neither Healey's or Gabrielli's campaigns attended.
Students asked candidates about the MBTA fare increase and lack of services, youth jobs (both summer and year round), how to stop youth violence and the candidates’ position on the in-state tuition bill recently defeated in the Statehouse. The bill would have equalized tuition for all Massacusetts high school graduates.
Marlena Rose, a Youth Coordinator with the Roxbury Environmental Empowerment Project (REEP), said, "So seldom do teens get to see candidates in person, much less hear answers to questions that relate directly to youth development. Candidates need to do this more often." REEP was a sponsor of the event.
Rodrigo De La Hegboned, of the National Black College Alliance, said of the youth attending, "Students need to see that we have power."
Following the question and Answer session, youth participated in an election and broke out into workshops while the votes were tallied. Grace Ross won with 52 percent of the vote, Deval Patrick received 35 percent, Christy Mihos received 7 percent, Tom Reilly received 5 percent and Chris Gabrielli received one lone vote.
Jonathan "Onyx" Collado, of Neighborhoods of Affordable Housing (NOAH), said of the results, "People should care about our opinion, because one day we will be in power. We represent a large portion of the Massachusetts population. If they [politicians] don't serve us well now, we will take them out of power when we come into our own."
In her acceptance speech, Grace Ross took the opportunity to bring the youth leaders together face to face. "I want you each to remember this moment, and the faces of those around you. You represent much of Boston's future leadership. Stay on the path you are on and I look forward to working together with you over the many coming years to create the communities we all deserve."