Mihos poised to play spoiler
BOSTON - The gubernatorial candidate closest to the governor's office last night was Brockton native Christy Mihos, whose primary-day party was held across the street from the State House.
Mihos, running as an Independent, will face Democratic nominee Deval Patrick and Republican Kerry Healey in the Nov. 7 general election.
Some observers say Mihos' candidacy could ruin Healey's chances - of defeating Patrick.
"The Republicans have no margin for error," said Andrew Smith,
director of the University of New Hampshire Survey Center, which has been tracking the governor's race.
Mihos said he will be an "honest broker" without a narrow party ideology.
"People are tired of the same old, same old that the two parties give them," he said.
Mihos' campaign strategy includes support of Proposition One, which would require 40 percent of annual state tax revenues be earmarked for local aid.
Mihos, who favors a rollback of the state income tax from 5.3 percent to 5 percent, said he also supports eliminating MCAS as a graduation requirement, removing all sport and activity fees from public schools, and providing free busing to all public school students in grades 1-12.
Mihos also said he strongly supports extending the Stoughton commuter rail line to New Bedford and Fall River.
Staff writer Maria Papadopoulos contributed to this story.