A well known name in politics who has been running for office for years unsuccessfully will now head the Green Party.

Syracuse native Howie Hawkins will serve as party co-chair along with Peter LaVenia of Albany.

Meantime, the Green Party will be on the ballot next year. Monday, it was officially certified by the New York State Board of Elections as the newest ballot qualified party. This year, Hawkins ran for governor and picked up 59,928 votes. A candidate needs 50,000 votes to qualify the party.

The Green Party prides itself on running candidates on its own line rather than "cross-endorsing candidates from other parties like the other so-called third parties in New York primarily do."

Key issues for the Green Party in 2011 will include seeking a permanent ban on hydrofracking, supporting community rather than mayoral control of public schools, progressive tax reform to deal with the massive state budget deficit, and public campaign finance reform.