Three new names will appear statewide on the November 4 state election ballot following the delivery of certified signature sheets to state offices in Boston, Fall River, and Springfield. The signatures were collected by an all-volunteer team on behalf of three Green-Rainbow Party candidates running for Secretary, State Treasurer, and State Auditor. Over 7200 signatures were certified, far more than the 5,000 required for ballot access.

The three candidates are Danny Factor of Acton for Secretary of the Commonwealth, Ian Jackson of Arlington for State Treasurer, and M K Merelice of Brookline for State Auditor.

Green-Rainbow Party candidates hold carton containing some of the 7200 signatures collected by their all-volunteer team (left to right, Danny Factor, Ian Jackson, and M K Merelice).

"Today is a politically significant event," noted Danny Factor. "Three candidates stressing their commitment to social and environmental justice, accomplished a formidable petitioning task without hiring professional signature collectors the way candidates in the big parties often do. Such volunteer empowerment is consistent with our pledge to refuse contributions from lobbyists or corporate officers who hire lobbyists. Being independent from the big money influences lets us speak up for the needs of real people instead of pushing the agenda of Beacon Hill lobbyists. We now begin a campaign in which we are going to be talking about an Economic Bill of Rights that includes the right of all people to healthy and affordable food, clean air and water, decent shelter, and comprehensive single-payer health care."

Factor said that his goal in running for Secretary of the Commonwealth - the state office that oversees corporate law - would be to restore the purpose of a corporation to its original meaning of serving a public benefit. "Over time our economy has seen the rise of huge corporations that exploit workers, shift taxes onto ordinary taxpayers, pollute our environment, buy the services of our politicians, and then, in some cases, move their headquarters overseas to avoid paying taxes in America. We need to promote different corporate behavior and to encourage the growth of locally-owned businesses that become integral parts of healthy communities."

Ian Jackson, candidate for State Treasurer, noted that "it’s very exciting to see the work of our signature volunteers come to fruition. We look forward to welcoming more volunteers to our campaign and to inviting the voters themselves to join our team for true democracy. Working together we can help Massachusetts residents fulfill their dreams. We can create a Commonwealth for the common good and a public banking system that is too good to fail."

M K Merelice, candidate for State Auditor said "what a pleasure it has been to travel to communities throughout our state and to see voters respond to our call for people-powered - not money-powered - politics in Massachusetts. Our Commonwealth has an abundance of human and environmental resources, as well as financial resources, which the State Auditor can help ensure are being applied for the wellbeing of all people and our planet."

More information on the candidates can be found at http://www.green-rainbow.org/candidates