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Independence Party expected to pick leaders Saturday
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The Independence Party of Minnesota meets Saturday for its state convention, hoping to make some rule changes and elect new leadership that will allow it to be more nimble and relevant.
The IP is the state's most prominent third party and has official major status in Minnesota. In November, its Senate candidate, Dean Barkley, received 15 percent of the vote in the race that now separates DFLer Al Franken and Republican Norm Coleman by 312 votes.
IP candidates received a percentage of the vote greater than the difference between the top two vote-getters in the past two governor's races, and in 1998 candidate Jesse Ventura won the gubernatorial election.
The party is not expected to endorse candidates for the 2010 governor's race today, but will be electing new leadership, including a chairperson, who will be the face of the party, and a director, who will run the organization.
The convention begins at 9:30 a.m. at the Lakeville Arts Center and includes a chili feed and fundraiser scheduled to begin at noon.
MARK BRUNSWICK
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Current state office holders
Governor: Tim Pawlenty
One of only a few prominent Republicans to win a competitive re-election contest in the Democratic sweep of 2006, Tim Pawlenty is widely seen as politically shrewd and naturally likable.
- Lt. Governor: Carol Molnau
- Secretary of State: Mark Ritchie
- Attorney General: Lori Swanson
- State Auditor: Rebecca Otto
Minnesota's political giants: Learn more about the men and women who have shaped Minnesota's political history.
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