Syracuse, NY - Howie Hawkins announced today he will run on the Green Party line for the 4th District Common Council seat held by Democrat Khalid Bey.

For weeks, Hawkins has been trying to decide whether to run for Syracuse mayor or Common Council. Hawkins said running for mayor would give him a platform to talk about the party's big-picture policy issues.

But he said he believes the 4th District is a race he can win.

Hawkins, a graveyard-shift United Parcel Service worker from Syracuse's South Side, has run at least 17 times for public office. He ran for mayor in 2005. He has also run before for the 4th District Common Council seat.

Hawkins biggest race was for governor in 2010. He did not win the election, of course. But it was a victory for the Green Party. The party won enough votes (59,000) to be recognized as an official political party on New York state ballots.

Monday night, Syracuse Greens will hold a convention to nominate candidates for Syracuse and Onondaga County races. Seats on the ballot this year include mayor, council president, city council, city court judge, school board and county legislature.

The meeting is at 6:30 p.m. at ArtRage Gallery, 505 Hawley Ave. All enrolled members of the party who vote in Onondaga County can vote at the convention. Unlike the major political parties, there is no weighted voting system. Each person gets one vote. You can enroll in the party on the spot and be allowed to vote.

The Green Party will also adopt a platform for issues.

Bey declined comment.

Miner is running for re-election. Democrat Alfonso Davis is about to start passing petitions to call a September primary. Democratic Common Councilor Pat Hogan is consider a run.

Republicans are still looking for a candidate, but have interest from retired firefighter Tom Sexton and long-time party conservative Ian Hunter.

Hawkins answered questions in a live chat at 11:30 a.m. Monday. He said he would continue to answer questions posted in the comments below.

Contact Michelle Breidenbach at (315) 470-3186, mbreidenbach@syracuse.com or on Twitter @mbreidenbach.