“Do not arouse the wrath of the great and powerful Galvin,” seems to be the main takeaway from the Globe’s recent article on the United Independent Party (“The state’s newest political party is at risk of falling off the ballot,” Metro, Aug. 11). It shouldn’t come as a surprise: Secretary of State Bill Galvin has made no secret of his hostility to the UIP in particular and to third party candidates in general.
Nearly two-thirds of the candidates for the Massachusetts state legislature will face no opponent this year — either in the primary or the general election. At a time when the Trump-led GOP is essentially dead in Massachusetts, we need a counterbalance against Massachusetts turning into a single-party state. And in a state that is renowned for startup companies, what better place for a startup political party?
Today there are UIP elected officials in cities and towns across Massachusetts, three candidates for state representative vying for the UIP spot on the November ballot, and 10 town committees getting organized. It’s a start on what will be a years-long journey to renew and revive our broken democracy. In this, Secretary Galvin is on the wrong side of history.
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