Star Tribune reporter Jenna Ross sends this report from the field.

Each person who walks into the headquarters of Independence Party candidate Tom Horner is greeted with a "You made it!" or, in a few cases, a round of applause.

The orange-and-blue offices on Hwy. 55 aren't huge, so organizers planned a smaller party of donors, IP officials and family. As they patted on nametags before the party officially began, Horner finished up some pizza at the restaurant next door, Latuff's Pizzeria.

Horner's older brother, George, said he was hoping a good primary turnout would prove Horner's candidacy. But at his own polling place, in downtown Minneapolis, he saw few voters.

Either way, "If Tom comes up with the right opponents, he can win," George Horner said.

UPDATE: Tom Horner arrived just before 8 p.m.