Green Party Looks to Open Line of Communication with WFP

With some far-left voters and politicians reluctant to support Gov. Andrew Cuomo this fall, the Green Party is looking to team up with the Working Families Party to challenge the Democratic governor.

The Green Party passed a resolution at last weekend’s state convention to send a letter to the Working Families Party leadership in an effort to open a line of communication since the two share similar views and policy goals as well as opposition to many of Cuomo’s policies.

During a stop at the Capitol in Albany Tuesday, Green Party gubernatorial candidate Howie Hawkins reiterated that the Working Families Party should nominate him. Hawkins said he has spoken with a number of Working Families Party state committee people independently about possibly earning the backing of the party.

“Some of them said, ‘I want to nominate you,’” Hawkins said.

The Working Families Party has been mixed on backing Cuomo, whom they supported in the 2010 election. Bob Master, the party’s co-chair, told the Journal News recently that he is interested in supporting the incumbent.

Other members don’t seem to be sold on that idea, and there have been reports of talks about the party running its own candidate.

In terms of earning the support of left-leaning voters, whether they are registered Green, Working Families or even Democrat, Hawkins said he thinks he can draw their votes if the Working Families Party does endorse someone else.

“The politically active base knows who Cuomo is and they don’t like him,” Hawkins said, adding that regardless of the support from other parties, he’s still aiming to get at least 5 percent of the vote in November. “If Working Families doesn’t run their own candidate, they’re going to vote for us.”

The Working Families Party holds its nominating convention in Albany on May 31 and June 1.