Candidates hand in a bale of signatures

Tuesday, August 29— Just after noon today, a delegation from the Green-Rainbow Party (GRP), led by the party’s four candidates for statewide office, delivered 14,500 certified signatures to State election officials. At a well-attended press conference held on the front steps of the State House, the four expressed optimism about prospects for their campaign. Their main themes were renewal of grass-roots democracy, a program for social equality and the development of a sustainable, green political economy in Massachusetts.

All for one and one for all— Green-Rainbow candidates celebrate as volunteers turn over 14,500 certified signatures on their nomination papers. Seen from left to right: Jill Stein, Grace Ross, James O'Keefe, Wendy Van Horne [photo: Devon McCullough]

The group then picked up the bale of nomination papers, wrapped in plastic against the light rain, and carried it three blocks to the office building on Ashburton Place which houses the Elections Division of the Secretary’s office.

A nuisance challenge is likely to be filed by the Democrat Party. But it will be hard to overcome the GRP’s cushion, well over the 10,000 needed to qualify Ross and Wendy Van Horne as candidates for Governor and Lietenant Governor.

Candidates for most other statewide offices need 5,000 signatures to qualify.

Jill Stein, the Green Party’s 2002 candidate for Governor, is running for Secretary of the Commonwealth this year. She will face the victor in the September 19 Democrat primary for that office, probably incumbent William Galvin. There will be no Republican in that race.

The 2002 Green candidate for Treasurer, James O’Keefe of Somerville, is running for that office again this year, against incumbent Democrat Timothy Cahill. There is no Republican in that contest, either.

In fact, the Republican Party is running only for Governor, Lt Governor and Attorney General—fewer candidates than the GRP. There are no Libertarian candidates for statewide office this year.

To qualify its candidates, the GRP collected around 20,000 signatures, of which just over 15,000 were certified as good by local election officials throughout the state. Most of those signatures were taken during the hot days of July.

May and June were the wettest two-month period on record, and petitions risked being ruined in the torrents.

At the morning press conference, the candidates stressed that theirs was the only state signature campaign carried out entirely by volunteers. All the other candidates and ballot initiatives had relied on paid canvassers.

Robinson replaces Van Horne in second spot

Tuesday, September 5— Belchertown Green-Rainbow leader Martina Robinson was named tonight as her Party’s candidate for Lieutenant Governor, replacing Wendy Van Horne, who withdrew from the race September 1.

Citing changing work and family commitments, Ms. Van Horne, who is a nurse, said she plans to remain active within the statewide campaign and in the party, and will retain her position on the party’s State Committee.

Ms. Robinson was chosen unanimously by a Committee of Five, delegated by law to replace candidates in such cases.

Ross campaign introduces Martina Robinson of Belchertown

Thursday, September 7— Green-Rainbow Party candidate for Governor, Grace Ross, Thursday, introduced her new running-mate for Lieutenant Governor, Martina Robinson of Belchertown. Robinson takes over for outgoing candidate, Wendy Van Horne, who filed her withdrawal papers with the Secretary of State office on Friday. Robinson and the Green-Rainbow Party has met all of the legal requirements to switch candidates and the campaign will now continue. 

To bring to light the process of finding a new running-mate and candidate and to introduce Ms. Robinson, the campaign released the following statement to the party membership and the residents of Massachusetts:

We are thrilled to report that all final paperwork has been filed by the required state deadline to bring a wonderful and powerful activist, Martina Robinson, as our new Lieutenant Gubernatorial candidate.  We cannot thank enough nor ever replace Wendy Van Horne, who has and continues to give of herself tirelessly and so gracefully.  While we absolutely supported Wendy's decision to step down, there is no doubt in our minds that Wendy has always been and would have continued to be a huge asset not only to the campaign but to expanding the public's imagination of what real leadership should look like.

Martina Robinson, 30, a long-time disability rights activist (among many things!), has been the campaign's disability issues coordinator.  She has been a leader in the GRP and has three times run for Selectperson in her home of Belchertown.

While many were surprised by Wendy's need to step down, the gubernatorial campaign was aware of growing difficulties in her life. 

We had prepared a short list of economic justice, leaders of color—any and all of whom, we would have been honored to have represent us. When Wendy made her final decision we quickly contacted and interviewed those on our short list.  Of those who were willing to serve, it is our belief that Martina is the best match.  We honor her strength, her brilliance, her compassion, and her fire.  She has already expressed an interest in being out at events, connecting with people, and especially looks forward to visiting with all the independent living centers across the state.

At this morning's press conference in front of Springfield reporters—so excited to have a Western Mass candidate—Martina Robinson delivered the following speech:

"My name is Martina Robinson and it is with great honor, a good deal of humility, and more than a fair share of trepidation, that I will attempt to occupy the formidable shoes of my Green-Rainbow colleague Wendy Van Horne, who has decided to withdraw from the Lieutenant Governor’s race for personal reasons.

"Some of you in the media, especially the ones who’ve never met or seen anyone like me before, are probably can’t help staring at me, wondering if you understood what I just said.  Well, you’re right, I do have speech impairment and many people do have trouble understanding me, but I am really and truly, running for Lieutenant Governor.

"Why? Because I believe in this campaign.  I’ve been its disability issues coordinator since its inception.  Because I believe in democracy.  I don’t believe that the American Dream ideally should be limited to white, heterosexual, able-bodied, property-owning men although that’s what it started out as in 1776. 

"Because I believe have experiences that people will find valuable.  I’ve run for Board of Selectman in Belchertown three times.  I’m not rich by any means; in fact, I live in public housing on a fixed income of $717 (on average, occasionally I give speeches or teach a  dance class to other disabled people or take a freelance writing job) a month, plus $35 a month of food stamps.  I’m a health educator and community organizer by training. 

"Mostly, though, I an running because I want to make a difference to society, disabled people, and democracy in Massachusetts.  How many times does one really get a chance to do that?  Not many and I wasn’t turning this one down.

"Please note, I wrote these words myself and what you’ve just heard is my voice speaking them.  Now Owen Broadhurst from Agawam will repeat them, so that they are easier for those of you who not used to listening to people who speak differently, to understand."

Today, before 4 pm, campaign members delivered all required paperwork - certification, acceptance of the nomination, certificate of spending limits and receipt of ethics papers.  All were accepted by the Secretary of State's Office.