Former Gov. Jesse Ventura briefly resurfaced into the world of Minnesota politics Friday to endorse Independence Party gubernatorial candidate Tom Horner and bash the two major parties.

"He's the best qualified person to govern us out of the current dilemma we are in," Ventura said Friday.

With less than two weeks until the election, Ventura's endorsement came as Horner trails in a three-way race against DFLer Mark Dayton and Republican Tom Emmer.

Ventura blamed the bulk of the state's budget trouble on Democrat and Republican legislators' decision to shoot down his budget in 2002. "We wouldn't be in this dilemma if the Democrats and the Republicans hadn't created it," said Ventura, who hosts the cable television program, "Conspiracy Theory."

The former governor said he skimmed Horner's budget proposal and approves of his willingness to broaden the sales tax, a proposal Ventura couldn't get approved while in office.

Ventura is the third former governor to back Horner, lining up behind Govs. Arne Carlson and Al Quie.

Ventura

Horner's support among former governors bolsters the case that he's the best choice

for the job, said Ventura, now with the Independence Party. "We know what it takes" to govern. Has Ventura met Horner? "I probably have," he said. "I certainly know of him. To me, he's a sensible, straight arrow."

Ventura described Dayton and Emmer as "fringe" candidates who will keep the state on the same downward path.

"The message out there is change," Ventura said. "You aren't going to get it by simply voting in Democrats and Republicans. To get change, you can't vote with these two parties -- destroy them if you can."

Ventura, who winters in Mexico, said he's still a registered voter in Minnesota and will cast a ballot for Horner on Nov. 2.

Horner's camp was surprised and thrilled by the endorsement.

Spokesman Matt Lewis said they had been in talks with Ventura about an endorsement, but weren't expecting the support when he announced it.

Ventura previously endorsed Independence Party candidates Tim Penny and Peter Hutchinson in their unsuccessful gubernatorial bids.