March 13th, 2002

Dear State Committee Member:

We are writing to ask you to join us in supporting George Pataki as the

Independence Party's candidate for governor. As you know candidates for our

nomination will be designated at the spring State Committee meeting that will

be held in May.

In our opinion, Governor Pataki is a very good fit for the Independence

Party at this point in our development.

The Governor is a candidate willing and able to make political reform -

our bottom line issue - a centerpiece of his campaign. Initiative and

Referendum was featured in his State of the State address in February. And

yesterday the Governor announced plans to send to the Legislature a bill for

I&R that the Independence Party helped him draft. He has, in addition,

solicited our views on campaign finance reform and other political process

issues, while encouraging our efforts to effect a shift to non-partisan

elections in New York City. The Governor is genuinely committed to political

reform (perhaps from eight years of dealing with partisan gridlock in Albany)

and eager to run for reelection as a reformer.

Governor Pataki has worked hard to acquaint himself with leaders of the

Independence Party in all parts of New York State. In August he invited

members of the Executive Committee and other Independence Party leaders to a

roundtable discussion in which each of us had an opportunity to speak while

he listened carefully and responded in what we found to be a sincere and

thoughtful way.

The Governor has shown, in words and deed, a commitment to reach out to

New Yorkers from all of our diverse communities. His growing relationship

with key labor unions has made the Democrats very nervous. He recognizes the

importance of the independent voter and clearly views a partnership with the

Independence Party as the way to reach the 2.5 million New York voters who

are not registered Republican or Democrat. This will be crucial in keeping

our position as column C.

Our growth in the past eight years has been extraordinary. Our message -

that independence and the independent voter are a critical component of any

effort to reform our political culture and reach the tens of millions of

disaffected Americans - is a powerful one. Governor Pataki has responded to

this message. That is why he is seeking our line. To reject him because he is

not "one of us" - not a member of our party - would be short-sighted and self

defeating.

Finally, and this is important, Governor Pataki and his staff have,

throughout the developing relationship, treated our party and its leaders and

members with respect. They are good listeners and, we believe, will be good

partners. In our opinion such a partnership will be good for the people of

New York and a step towards a new political culture of openness, inclusion

and a lessening of the partisanship which has been so hurtful to our state

and our country.

Feel free to contact us to discuss these matters in further detail.

Sincerely,

Dr. Jessie Fields

Jessie_Fields@hotmail.com

Harry Kresky

Harrykres@aol.com

Cathy L. Stewart

Clstew96@aol.com

State Executive Committee Members