Michael Parietti will be running on the "Good Gov" line as an independent candidate for Rockland County executive in the upcoming election later this year.

A June 11 letter from Rockland County's Board of Elections validated Parietti's candidacy.

"It was a tremendous sense of gratification, relief to know that we got on the ballot and now we're upholding democracy," said Parietti in an interview with News 12 on Tuesday. "We're going to give the voters a choice."

Parietti will be running against County Executive Ed Day, who had been running unopposed until this recent development.

The independent candidate needed 1,500 signatures but says he ended up with more than double that.

He wants to focus on rooting out corruption, overdevelopment, as well as illegal and unsafe housing.

"We need some new energy and new leadership at the top to keep Rockland on the right path," said Parietti.

Parietti feels confident in his chances because it is a two-way race without someone running for the Democrat party.

County Executive Day is seeking his fourth, four-year term.

When asked about the election, in a statement, Day touted his record around the county's improved financial status, cutting taxes and improving quality of life.

"Rocklanders deserve continued steady leadership that brings people together and delivers real results," he said"

The election is Nov. 4.