Current IP Highlights
It should take more than 2 to debate
(Letter to Editor from CD 1 Chair, Tom Marpe)
Allowing debates with only the Republican and Democratic candidates does the electorate a disservice. There are many other political parties that are
options.
Debates are the only venue where you can hear from other candidates that do not revolve around money. The electorate does not hear the views and policies of other candidates because they don’t have the money for television advertising or large-scale mailings. For example, the Independence-Alliance Party has a candidate for Minnesota governor that has a new policy idea of “jury democracy,” but the electorate will never hear about it.
One way we can decrease the polarized electorate is to make sure that those alternative ideas be heard. My suggestion is that those groups who schedule the debates always require at least three parties to be represented.
The IP and Alliance Party "In the News"
Your Independence-Alliance, IP Candidates and National Party in the news:
- Shorewood elects new councilmembers Maddy, Sanschagrin, Sun Sailor, 11/08/22
- Alternative candidates for Minnesota governor appear in ‘other guys’ forum, Duluth News Tribune, 10/28/22
- House District 5B: Hendrickson says his swing vote will benefit district, Brainerd Dispatch, 10/22/22
- Minnesota gubernatorial race: As governor, I’ll give real democracy a chance, Minneapolis Star Tribune, 10/19/22
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Race for Hennepin County Sheriff set to make historic finish, KARE11 TV, 10/18/22
- Gregg Hendrickson for 5B, Farm and Food MN Podcast, 10/17/22
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Voters Guide: Hennepin County sheriff, Sun Sailor, 10/11/22
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The outsiders: Minnesota’s third parties fight for relevance, votes, Fox 9-TV, 10/09/22
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Meet Your Candidates: Guy Sanschagrin, Lake Minnetonka Communications Commission, 09/29/22
- Guest Phil Fuehrer, MN IP State Chair, The Tracy Show, 09/27/22
- Where Are They Now?: Dean Barkley, Minnesota Monthly, 9/13/22
State Central Committee Meeting Set for Saturday, February 11, In-person and on Zoom
The Independence-Alliance Annual State Central Committee Meeting is set for Saturday, February 11 with a 10am start time. This meeting will be a hybrid with attendees able to participate in-person or online via Zoom. See participation information and the agenda below.
The main items of business will be to elect our four (4) At-Large Executive Committee Members as well as filling an empty State Secretary position (and, possibly, State Treasurer). We will also set the date/location for the State Convention or direct the Executive Committee to set it up with any directives.
In addition to business, we will hear from speakers including our newest elected official, Guy Sanschagrin, the newest Shorewood City Councilmember. Guy received the highest vote total out of four candidates for two seats.
The in-person location will be in the Large Meeting Room at the Inver Glen Library in Inver Grove Heights. Get the address, full Zoom info for remote attendance and see the agenda here.
If you are interested in a leadership position – the At-Large Members are expected to oversee/manage a project of their choice and attend the monthly meetings State Executive Committee meetings. The project could range from communications to events to fundraising to candidate support and everything in between. If you have any questions or would like to seek an open position please email us at info@mnip.org .
Op-Ed Commentary Response: Vote for the Candidates You Support
Recently, an op-ed writer wrote of third parties as spoilers. IP State Chair Phil Fuehrer has written a response encouraging people to vote for the candidates they support.
What do you get when you vote for alternative candidates? You get more voices in the system, more choices at the ballot box and a better chance at a truly responsive and representative government.
IP Blog Entry: COVID-19 Spectrum of Leadership Decisions; Not “Correct” or “Incorrect” Answers
Read our newest IP Blog entry. Written by State Chair Phil Fuehrer on leadership decision-making spectrums:
Politics, like life, is complicated, as is leadership. As much as partisans on both sides of the liberal/conservative aisle would like to convince us otherwise there is rarely a directly “correct” or “wrong” answer or decision. Instead, there is more often a spectrum of decisions, each with…
You can read the full blog here.
Upcoming Events
Upcoming events of interest:
- Central Committee Meeting, Saturday, February 11, 10am start – This will be a hybrid meeting. In-person at Inver Glen Library Large Meeting room and on Zoom. Speakers include Shorewood City Councilmember Guy Sanschagrin. See story in IP highlights for more details.
- State Executive Committee Meeting, Sunday, March 5 – 1pm, on Zoom, contact us for the meeting link
Email: info@mnip.org for more information on any upcoming event.
ABOUT US
In 1992, a group of Minnesota citizens established a brand new political party—the Independence Party. These bold, visionary citizens were not part of the political elite, captains of industry, or members of the idle rich looking to fill some time. They were ordinary citizens whose disgust with constant budget deficits, big money special interest influence, and extreme ideological dominance forced them to action.
Nearly thirty years later those same frustrations have only grown worse. Now aligned with a national force, the Independence-Alliance Party continues its work to solving the issues and giving Minnesotans a true voice.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Our philosophy is that the only wasted vote is the one cast for something you don’t want. If you’re voting the “lesser of two evils” then you’re wasting your vote. Vote your conscience and it’s never a wasted vote.
We ……
