Tom Horner Tuesday will officially jump into the gubernatorial water as an Independence Party candidate and have his old boss -- former U.S. Sen. Dave Durenberger -- poolside when he does it.

Horner, a founder of public relations firm Himle Horner, says this year will be good for the small third party.

"2010 is the year in which the Independence Party can reclaim the governor's office," his release said in announcing his bid.

At his Tuesday morning Capitol news conference, Horner promises to "discuss why he is running, his vision for Minnesota and how he wins in 2010."

Durenberger, who will join Horner on Tuesday, is currently a senior fellow at the National Institute of Health Policy.