The Independence Party opened its convention Saturday at Normandale Community College in Bloomington, poised to endorse a candidate for governor who will offer an alternative to voters unexcited or turned off by DFL and Republican options.
Dave Holman of Morris was among activists at the gathering of about 200 delegates, and an example of the kind of voter drawn to the Independence Party. He defected from the Republican Party years ago because he saw it as having an increasingly narrow agenda dominated by "the religious right."
But he couldn't bring himself to vote DFL.
"They were always trying to do all things for all people and that doesn't work," Holman said.
Holman said he was leaning toward supporting businessman Tom Horner, but wanted to hear from the other candidates for governor as well before making a decision. Could Horner win in the general election? "It's so uphill, totally uphill," Holman said.
The Independence Party candidates for governor have not agreed to abide by the endorsement process, setting up a primary battle in August.
Delegates were scheduled to mull over party rules this morning and begin the process of endorsing a candidate for governor after 1 p.m.
