Independence Party's slate is a multiple one

Independence Party gubernatorial candidate Peter Hutchinson named four -- count them, four -- running mates Thursday, introducing an unusual team approach to running a campaign and governing.

IP leaders hoped to make a splash that will provide momentum and make the party a major player for the third straight gubernatorial election, going back to Jesse Ventura's shocking upset victory in 1998.

Like traditional candidates, Hutchinson chose one actual running mate and candidate for lieutenant governor, Dr. Maureen Reed, a former chairwoman of the University of Minnesota's Board of Regents. But he also unwrapped as part of his "Team Minnesota for Better Government" three candidates for the other constitutional offices: for attorney general, John James, former state revenue commissioner; for state auditor, Lucy Gerold, a deputy chief of the Minneapolis Police Department, and for secretary of state, Joel Spoonheim, economic development director for Brooklyn Park.

None of the five has ever been elected to public office but all have broad, high-level experience in government and community service.

"Five public servants, not career politicians," Hutchinson said. "Five people who will run one campaign around one agenda and one set of issues. And then when elected will govern to keep those issues the main thing."

That agenda will include a goal to "double the odds" of Minnesota students getting an affordable college degree; ensuring "world-class health for Minnesotans at the nation's lowest cost per person;" investing in reliable transportation so that "rising congestion is not our only choice" and reducing dependence on oil; repairing damage to the environment, and an emphasis on getting "more value from every dollar that government spends," Hutchinson said.

Republicans said the IP ticket is simply DFL Light and will draw its votes mostly from that party. Hutchinson, an author and expert on government efficiency, has contributed to Democrats. He and James served as department heads under Gov. Rudy Perpich, a DFLer, but say they have since become independents.

A DFL spokesman, Jess McIntosh, said that if the team's goal is "only for promoting the best education and health care, they'd be supporting Mike Hatch," the DFL's endorsed candidate. "The voters want [Republican Gov.] Tim Pawlenty out, and the only way to do that is to vote for Mike Hatch in November," McIntosh said.

Hutchinson offered this response to those who say he can't win and will be a "spoiler" hurting the DFL: "We fully intend to spoil things. ... We're going to take votes from everybody."

Highlights of the team's credentials and brief presentations include:

Reed: Elected by the Legislature to the Board of Regents, she is an internal medicine specialist who has been the medical director for HealthPartners, one of the state's major health-care providers. Although the duties of the No. 2 office are minimal, Hutchinson said Reed would have a special role in an effort to "crack the code" that leads to health-care reform and lowered costs.

James: A Harvard-educated lawyer, he is on the board of directors of a Minneapolis law firm, Lommen, Abdo, Cole, King & Stageberg. Along with Hutchinson, he has been a prominent consultant promoting various government efficiency changes. "I know how government works," he said.

Gerold: Campaign literature calls her a "transformational leader" who has worked for the Minneapolis police in several capacities and has implemented programs aimed at crime reduction and accountability. The auditor serves as a watchdog over the finances of local government, and Gerold said she would work to end the hostility between state and local governments, "one of the worst relationships in the country."

Spoonheim: In addition to helping lead Brooklyn Park's revitalization efforts, he was a cofounder of Civics Connection, "an organization committed to building the next generation of civic leaders."

Hutchinson, whose candidacy was announced earlier, is a former state commissioner of finance and superintendent of Minneapolis schools and a prominent consultant to government, nonprofit organizations and businesses.

All will seek and are expected to receive the Independence Party's official endorsement at a state convention held before a St. Paul Saints baseball game at Midway Stadium on June 24.

Dane Smith • 651-292-0164