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Stein denounces Beacon Hill 'corruption tax' as she announces run for governor

E-mail|Link|Comments () February 8, 2010 11:59 AM

By Michael Levenson, Globe Staff

Flashing a V for victory sign, Jill Stein, a Lexington doctor and Green-Rainbow Party candidate, stood on the steps of the State House today and launched her second long-shot bid for governor with a rousing attack on Beacon Hill for imposing a “corruption tax” on everyday citizens.

“If you’ve had enough business as usual, if you’ve had enough of the culture of influence, if you’ve had enough payoffs and layoffs and rip-offs and bailouts, this is the campaign for you,” Stein told about three dozen cheering supporters who waved her green campaign signs.

Stein won 3.5 percent of the vote in the 2002 governor’s race and 18 percent of the vote in the 2006 secretary of state race. She also ran unsuccessfully for state representative in 2004.

Stein’s candidacy could pose a problem for Governor Deval Patrick by peeling off his support from liberal voters, some of whom have been frustrated with some of his political priorities. Stein said in an interview after her announcement that Patrick “could be fighting for the ordinary people of the Commonwealth, and that’s what we intend to do.”

“Look at the state of the Commonwealth and of our budget,”’ Stein said. “Our taxes are regressive, and they’re not adequate to cover the needs. We’re slashing human services. We’re slashing support for the homeless. The most vulnerable in the Commonwealth are paying the highest price now.”

Stein also painted a vicious portrait of Republican candidate Charles D. Baker, the former chief executive of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, and state Treasurer Timothy P. Cahill, who is running as an independent after leaving the Democratic Party in July.

“It’s true I’ve never been a CEO and I’ve never been a Beacon Hill insider,” Stein said. “I’ve never huddled with health insurance executives who have denied people their health care. I’ve never met in the backrooms with predatory lenders or casino ambling executives or real-estate schemers. And I just don’t owe any favors to machine bosses or big-money donors who are looking to buy influence. Sorry. I’m a mother and a medical doctor and an advocate for healthy people, health economies and a healthy democracy.”

Stein said her first priority as governor would be to support small businesses and “green jobs.” She said she would advocate for a “Medicare-for-all” health care system and “fairer taxes.”

Patrick is facing a primary challenge from activist Grace Ross. In the Republican Party, Baker and Christy Mihos are competing for that party's slot.

The party has not formally endorsed Stein's candidacy, but a Stein spokesman said today no one else is seeking to carry the Green-Rainbow banner for governor this election cycle.