Independence Party says new voice and new solutions are available

Since 1992, the Independence Party of Minnesota has been an important voice in Minnesota politics.

The Independence Party represented Minnesotans at the State Capitol from 1999 to 2006, with Gov. Jesse Ventura and two state senators. United States Sen. Dean Barkley represented the party in Washington D.C. in 2002.

The Independence Party has also earned a reputation for putting forth well-respected community and political leaders for statewide office. From Tim Penny to Tom Horner to Hannah Nicollet, the party has always attracted candidates who are strong advocates for political change.

The Independence Party is also a strong advocate for issues and political reforms. At our party's last two state conventions, our delegates took stands on campaign finance reform, Sunday sales and personal civil liberties. Despite the impact these issues have on every Minnesotan, the other two major parties have avoided taking stands on many of them.

According to the Independence Party platform, "The Independence Party rejects the U.S. Supreme Court's 'Citizens United' ruling, and we move to amend our U.S. Constitution to firmly establish that money is not speech." The biggest challenge to political change in our state and our country is that billions upon billions of dollars are spent every election cycle to protect the status quo and to drown out the voices of individual voters.

"The Independence Party supports legislation to authorize Sunday sales of all legal products such as liquor and automobiles." While it sounds absurd, products that are legal to sell six days a week are illegal to sell on Sundays. We believe that the rights of over three million Minnesotans to purchase automobiles or alcohol on Sunday outweigh the objections of two government-protected special interest groups.

"We support high standards of morality, family values and personal responsibility, but we oppose having the government impose state-sponsored morality or values on people of good conscience with differing views." In other words, we support personal responsibility and oppose government regulations that would limit an individual's civil liberties. This is a long-standing platform position that supports our more recent advocacy for marriage equality and the legalization of cannabis.

This year the Independence Party is proud to put forth a full team of statewide candidates.

Pat Dean, our state auditor candidate, is a former auditor who lost his job with the St. Paul Port Authority because protecting taxpayers was more important than buckling under to bureaucrats and politicians. Pat did not back down then; he certainly will not back down as your state auditor.

Bob Helland, our secretary of state candidate, is an expert in business life-cycle management. Bob's goal is to improve state processes for businesses and voters. With the war that is going on between the Republicans and Democrats, do you trust either party to influence and enforce election laws?

Brandan Borgas, our attorney general candidate, is an attorney who has dedicated his career to transparency, community and civil rights. Brandan will promote those same values as "the people's attorney" as the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) describes the role.

Hannah Nicollet and Tim Gieseke are running for governor and lieutenant governor. Hannah has been a tireless advocate for the same people and issues that inspired the formation of the Independence Party over 20 years ago. Tim is a farmer and a recognized agricultural expert at the capitol. All Minnesotans, not just big campaign donors and special interest groups, will benefit from the election of Nicollet for governor and Gieseke for lieutenant governor.