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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 8th, 2006 CONTACTS: Colby E. Peterson Ron Francis Suffolk poll shows O'Keefe with chance of winning treasurer raceGreen-Rainbow Party likely to regain official party status in November Suffolk University / 7 NEWS released its latest statewide election poll, Monday, the first of its kind this election season with Green-Rainbow Party (GRP) candidates listed among the other candidates. David Paleologos, Director of the Suffolk University Political Research Center, made the decision to include GRP candidates after learning from the party that it was likely to collect the signatures necessary to achieve ballot access. In terms of the poll's results, the GRP was already showing that it reflects the concerns of the respondents, especially in the two-way races between GRP and Democratic candidates for treasurer and secretary of the commonwealth. When matched against incumbent Democratic treasurer, Timothy Cahill, GRP candidate, James O'Keefe, received 21% of the vote with 30% of respondents undecided. O'Keefe, who received 8% of the vote in the three-way race for treasurer in 2002, was delighted to hear the results, "I am encouraged that 21% of voters would vote for me at this point in the campaign. Clearly a significant number of voters are looking for a fundamental change that will create a just, sustainable, and peaceful future." Jill Stein, Green-Rainbow Party candidate for secretary of the commonwealth, faired well with 8% against incumbent William Galvin's 46% with 44% undecided. Statistically, both candidates O'Keefe and Stein have a chance of winning their offices. Grace Ross, GRP candidate for governor, who at the time of the poll had not yet officially announced, received 2% in most theoretical match-ups. November, voters will see a four-way race with Ross, a Democrat, a Republican, and independent, Christy Mihos. A pleasant side-effect of the high poll numbers for GRP candidates was the prospect of regaining official party status in Massachusetts, which grants automatic ballot status for subsequent elections, a check-off box on voter registration forms, as well as other legal privileges. The Green-Rainbow Party, currently legally known in Massachusetts as a "political designation," can regain official party status by garnering more than 3% of the vote from any of its statewide or federal candidates. With such encouraging poll results released, the recreation of the official status for the Green-Rainbow Party seems more than likely in November. The poll results showed that, if given the opportunity, the public is ready and willing to vote for Green-Rainbow Party candidates, especially when social and environmental issues are not being properly or honestly addressed by "major" candidates. Ron Francis, GRP co-chair, explained the growing public sentiment, "Folks are tired of the political parties that don't have clear core values to address social issues. The Green Rainbow message of justice, equal opportunity and green values resonates with a lot more people than you might think." (END) FOR MORE INFORMATION: See the Suffolk University Press Release & Results at: http://www.suffolk.edu/opa/news/card_release.html Green-Rainbow Party: http://www.green-rainbow.org |
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