Minnesota has three ballot-qualified parties, all of which will choose their nominees on primary day, August 10. On July 2, TPT, a public television station in Minnesota, sponsored intra-party gubernatorial debates. See the one-hour broadcast here.
However, the TV station determined that only the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, and the Independence Party, have significant intra-party contests for Governor. So, TPT held a 25-minute debate between two leading candidates for the Independence Party nomination, as well as a 25-minute debate between three leading candidates for the Democratic-Farmer-Labor nomination. The station determined that in the Republican primary, only one candidate has a strong campaign, so it did not hold a Republican debate, but instead broadcast a 10-minute news story about that one Republican.
The Independence Party gubernatorial debate was between Tom Horner, the candidate endorsed by the Independence Party leadership, and Rob Hahn. However, the party has five candidates on its primary ballot for Governor. The others are Phil Ratte, John Uldrich, and Rahn Workcuff. It is very unusual for any minor party in the United States to have as many as five gubernatorial candidates on its primary ballot. Probably the only other minor party ballot with more than two choices for any office this year is the Arizona Libertarian Party primary ballot for Governor, which has four candidates listed: Ron Cavanaugh, Barry Hess, Bruce Olsen, and Alvin Yount. The Arizona Libertarian Party web page has this link for anyone interested in learning about each of those candidates.
Richard, Thanks for reporting on our Governor candidate Tom Horner. Tom was overwhelmingly endorsed by the the state delegates, at our state convention, not just the leadership. We are a bottom up party, not top down.
Hahn, who has now turned negative against Horner has violated one of our principles, to keep to the issues. No name calling. We believe the GOP is pulling Hahn’s strings in hopes that Tom Horner might loose our primary. Tom is favored to win. Hahn is a joke and our party is disgusted with his lack of integrity.
I think the taxpayers on Minnesota deserve to hear from all the candidates who will be on the ballot in august. It’s inappropriate for the press, especially taxpayer funded press, to try to guess whom the voters will vote for. Look at what happened here in SC in the Democratic senate primary. No one expected a no-name candidate with no support to beat the no-name candidate supported by the party higher-ups.
I hope the candidates left out of the debate will take the TV station to task, and win.
If I lived and voted in Oregon, I’d most likely be a registered member of the Independent Party, though most likely I’d be a very tiny minority among what most likely are moderate to liberal members.
Still, it is inovative ideas like this is what is going to help the Independent Party to “catch on” and become a major “balance of power” if not outright “kingmaker” in Oregonian politics. I predict the day will come when any Democrat or Republican who does not get the co-nomination of the Independent Party will have an up-hill battle for election or re-election.
But like with many other ideas regarding positive election reform, most 3rd partisans can’t see it. It’s all got to be accompished through their narrow little window or not at all. And it serves them all right – whether Libertarian, Constitutionalist, Green, or whatever, if they get left behind.
Best of success to the Independent Party and their online Primary.
Okay, I have egg on my face. I was tired, and I thought this post was about the Independent Party Primary in Oregon rather than than the Independence Party Primary in Minnesota.
Still, if I lived in Minnesota, I’d register as a member of the Independence Party and vote in the Independence Primary.
Just like the Independent Party in Oregon, and the Independence Party in New York State, the Independence Party of Minnesota likewise is going to hold the “balance of power” in that state and be the “kingmaker” in many elections.
I say more power to all 3 of them. I just wish the American Independent Party in California would wake up and learn how to be political savvy.
Great website. A lot of useful info here. I’m sending it to
some friends ans also sharing in delicious.
And naturally, thanks for your sweat!