Mel King, a long-time activist, politician, MIT professor and a founder of the Green-Rainbow Party has officially endorsed three candidates for state office:
- Jamie Guerin for State Treasurer
- Edward ‘Jed’ Stamas for State Auditor
- Juan Sanchez for Secretary of the Commonwealth
“These three candidates have earned my endorsement by their commitment to economic justice and building a society that works for us all,” said Mr. King. “On November 6, please remember to vote for Jamie Guerin for State Treasurer, Juan Sanchez for Secretary of the Commonwealth and Jed Stamas for State Auditor!”
Jamie Guerin, a mother of five, is running for Massachusetts Treasurer. She is a long-time peace and environmental activist. She is a passionate advocate for economic justice policies that benefit the 99%. She will establish a state bank that would keep Massachusetts money in the state and benefit municipalities with lower interest rates for infrastructure improvement borrowing. She will ensure that the growing cannabis industry is open to participation by lower income people and people of color.
Juan Sanchez is running for Secretary of the Commonwealth. He ran last year for Ward 1 Selectman for Holyoke, MA. He is the first candidate of Puerto Rican heritage to be nominated for statewide office. When elected, he will ensure that underprivileged and underrepresented have a voice on Beacon Hill. He will champion progressive electoral reform and improve voter education by delivering information in multiple languages. He wants to make sure immigrants and low income citizens are full participants in the political life of Massachusetts that is often dominated by moneyed interests.
Edward ‘Jed’ Stamas is running for State Auditor. He is committed to making sure that our tax money is spent to benefit people and not to do favors for the well-connected. He will audit every state agency at least once every three years.
Understanding the Mel King Legacy
Mel King has long been working for racial harmony, social justice, tenant rights and civil liberties in Massachusetts. He was first known for organizing the 1968 “Tent City” protest of an urban renewal project that razed brick row houses and replaced them with a parking lot. Today, the space features a large mixed-income apartment building across from the Back Bay T Station.
In 1973, Mel King was elected as a State Representative for the 9th Suffolk District and served in the Massachusetts Legislature until 1982. During his 1983 mayoral bid, thousands of previously disenfranchised voters – blacks, Hispanics, gays, women – came out to support him. This led to the formation of the Rainbow Coalition, a group that eventually merged with the Green Party to create the current Green-Rainbow Party of Massachusetts.
Mel King has served as an Adjunct Professor in the MIT Department of Urban Studies and Planning. He founded the South End Technology Center, an organization that provides free or low-cost access and training in most aspects of computer-related technology.
For additional information on the Green-Rainbow Party state candidates, please visit www.green-rainbow.org.