Independence Party of New York

Independence Party of New York

Frank M. MacKay, Chairman

P.O. Box 871, Lindenhurst, NY 11775

Independence Party of New York
Nominates Ralph Nader

For 2004 Presidential Ticket

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 27, 2004

CONTACT: Sarah Lyons 212-962-1824 / 917-658-9885

Albany, NY―The Independence Party of New York nominated Ralph Nader for its 2004 Presidential candidate at its state convention in Albany Sunday with over 95% support of the convention.

Harry Kresky, the party’s legal counsel, entered Nader’s name into nomination. Dr. Lenora Fulani and Watertown Mayor Jeff Graham seconded the nomination.

“I certainly accept your nomination and the spirit and the agenda for justice that is behind it,” said Nader who addressed the convention by teleconference from Washington D.C. “I want to thank each and every one of you in the room at the present time and all the people around New York state that have supported the Independence Party and who think that independent voters have been given short shrift over the years and not sufficiently attended to, respected and organized.”

With the convention’s vote, Nader is now at the top of the Independence ticket, just above U.S. Senator Charles Schumer and hundreds of local public office candidates around the state.

“We’re now 6 out of 7 victories in state Supreme Court,” said Nader, referring to the many ballot access battles the campaign has encountered as the Democratic Party has worked furiously to remove Nader from the ballot. He briefed the Independence delegates on efforts to bring the Oregon controversy to the United States Supreme Court.

Independence Party state chair Frank MacKay called Nader’s nearly unanimous support “a tribute to Ralph Nader’s ability to focus national attention on the independent voter and the burning issues of the day.” MacKay noted that the convention was the country’s first match-up among Nader, John Kerry and George Bush and Nader had won overwhelmingly. “Without a doubt we have nominated the best candidate, not the candidate with the best chance of winning. We’re very proud to offer the voters of this state the chance to do the same.”

The Cobb/LaMarche ticket received 0.2% of the conventions support. Kerry/Edwards received 4% and Bush Cheney 0.4%.

The presidential nomination capped a weekend convention which also elected new officers. Frank MacKay was re-elected state chair with over 97% support.

The party also passed a resolution in support of election reform in the area of new voting technology calling for a voter verified paper audit trail.

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