The Independence Party of Minnesota endorsed candidates for November’s election at its Mankato convention Saturday, giving the nod to Hannah Nicollet for governor and Kevin Terrell for U.S. Senate.
Nicollet, a Roseville software developer, had earlier announced a plan to seek the Senate endorsement, but right before the convention asked to switch to the governor’s race. Delegates approved.
Terrell is a business consultant from Minneapolis.
Other unanimous endorsements were:
- Brandan Borgos, an attorney from West Saint Paul, for Attorney General
- Pat Dean, a business owner from Lake Elmo, for State Auditor
- Bob Helland, a business process analyst from St. Paul, for Secretary of State.
Independence Party Chair Mark Jenkins said in a statement:
“Our Delegates have continued their long history of endorsing candidates who are eminently qualified to serve the people of Minnesota.”
The Independence Party dates back to the Ross Perot 1992 presidential campaign, and catapulted into statewide relevance in 1998 when Jesse Ventura was elected governor under its banner. Since then, it has seen less success, although in 2008 U.S. Senate candidate Dean Barkley’s third-place finish was considered a major factor in U.S. Sen. Al Franken’s 312-vote victory over Republican incumbent Norm Coleman, after a lengthy recount.
Also approved at the convention were resolutions opposing the Supreme Court’s ruling on “Citizen’s United,” supporting Sunday sales of liquor and automobiles, supporting Ranked Choice Voting “local options” legislation, supporting adequate funding for Minnesota’s rural infrastructure, and supporting renewable energy made in Minnesota.
And delegates called for the suspension of the current recreational wolf hunting-and-trapping season.
