—Sen. Mike Jungbauer (R-East Bethel), District 48

—Rep. John Lesch (DFL-St. Paul), District 66A

—Alliance for a Better Minnesota

—Colin Lee, Independence Party candidate for state House, Lakeville, District 34B

—Joe Repya, former IP candidate for governor

Dear Friends and Supporters,

I regret to inform you that as of Sunday, February 21, 2010, I am suspending my campaign for Governor of Minnesota under the Independence Party. I do not take this decision lightly, but I must stand on my principles. If I didn’t, I’d be no different than the countless career politicians who seek to advance their own ambitions over the best interests of this state. In short, it has become clear to me that, much like the DFL and GOP parties in this state, the IPM fails to stand by its own rules and principles. At issue – the party’s decision today to essentially nullify the state convention and endorsement process and to provide proprietary delegate data to candidates who will not abide by the state convention. This may not sound like a big deal on the surface, but it is. This action, in my opinion, severely damages the IPM’s chances of truly becoming a viable and strong third party option in Minnesota politics. The Independence Party stood on the doorstep of doing some great things for Minnesotans, but instead chooses to change its rules to satisfy the needs of a few, rather than looking out for what’s best for the party and for the state. Their action will further erode and tarnished the IPM brand while relegating it to a permanent position of political “spoiler.” I know that many of you will be as disappointed as I am with this decision. Most of you know me as a man of honor and principle. This decision should also be disappointing to the tens of thousands of Minnesotans who have been looking for a better representation, better candidates and better leadership. My sincere appreciation to all of you for your support and encouragement.

Via Polinaut.

Image: Wikipedia

Two hours before the Minnesota Vikings took to the field to face off against the New Orleans Saints for the NFC Championship, Independence Party gubernatorial candidate Joe Repya issued a press release stating that he thinks the state should hold a majority interest in the team. A Gov. Repya, he writes, “would agree to public financing of a new Viking stadium only if Ziggy Wilf and the NFL agree to sell a 51% equity of the Vikings to the State of Minnesota with a never to relocate iron clad clause…. If Green Bay can own the Packers, Minnesota can own the Vikings.”

His full statement, emailed at 4:15 p.m. Sunday:

It is time for a permanent solution to the stadium issue. Although the people of Minnesota love the Vikings and do not want to see their team leave, they refuse to be blackmailed or held hostage by sports franchises every 20 to 25 years for new and bigger stadiums. As your next governor, I would agree to public financing of a new Viking stadium only if Ziggy Wilf and the NFL agree to sell a 51% equity of the Vikings to the State of Minnesota with a never to relocate iron clad clause. Ziggy could run the team as long as he wishes and without state interference. We will increase state revenues by allowing Minnesotans to purchase one share of non-voting, non transferable interests (like the Green Bay Packers “stock” program”) in the Minnesota Vikings.

If Green Bay can own the Packers, Minnesota can own the Vikings. Minnesota should not agree to any public financing that does not meet this standard.

Joe Repya, IP candidate for Governor

Horner, a public-relations executive with long experience in Republican politics, tells the Minnesota Independent he’s parting ways with the GOP on good terms.

“I’m not leaving the Republican Party in protest or under a cloud,” Horner says, citing his membership in the party’s “more moderate” wing since he began work for U.S. Sen. Dave Durenberger in the 1970s.

But gridlock has soured Horner on two-party politics in St. Paul. “Whichever party has the governor’s office, the other party isn’t going to let that governor succeed,” he says.

Ventura got around that by seeking good ideas and good people from across the political spectrum, Horner says, for a “pretty successful” first half of his term. Only when Ventura become disengaged partway through his term did the legislature ditch him.

That’s where Horner reckons he has something on Ventura: his 30 years of experience in public policy and party politics, along with an inclination to stay engaged with citizens.

As for his campaign, he says it will start low-key and won’t feature a pox-from-both-their-houses critique of the two other major parties, as is sometimes heard from IP candidates. Minnesotans who know him from his political commentary on Minnesota Public Radio wouldn’t buy it, he says.

“For me to come out and say all parties are bad would be ludicrous,” says Horner.

Growing field, coming battle

With the entrance of Horner and former Republican party activist Joe Repya this week, the Independence Party’s field of gubernatorial candidates grew to five, and Tim Penny figures it may keep growing. Penny, the party’s 2002 endorsee for governor, says at least two others are still in the wings.

“It may be that for the first time we have a real endorsement battle,” said Penny, who as a Democrat served six years in the state Senate and six terms in the U.S. House of Representatives. ”There are more people of my stature that are beginning to conclude that the two parties have failed us.”

Those already vying to run as Independent Party candidate for governor include party chair Jack John Uldrich and lesser-known candidates Rob Hahn and Rahn Workcuff.

Horner had publicly floated the possibility of a run and party switch for weeks, while Repya had been talking behind the scenes about a possible IP run for months, said Penny.

But Penny said at least two other people (who he wouldn’t name) have talked to him about running for governor under the Independence Party banner.

Penny said he would probably endorse someone in the race before the party’s endorsing convention, which isn’t officially set yet but is likely to be May 8, according to an IP spokesperson. (The IP will hold an interactive online caucus throughout the month of February.)

Talking about Horner and Repya, Penny said, “I’m intrigued by a candidate with some roots in the Republican Party” — in part because he and Peter Hutchinson, the IP’s 2006 endorsed candidate for governor, both came from Democratic Party backgrounds. Hutchinson drew only 6 percent of the vote, less than Penny’s

“It is time to hear the people of Minnesota,” Repya said in a statement. “It is time to put an end to political party divisiveness in St Paul. I am not a career politician, driven by the desire to be re-elected. Being a Politician does not necessarily give one the experience to be a leader, as demonstrated by our current budget crisis. My motivation for being governor is simple: I want to do what is best for Minnesotans—they are the only special interest group I am representing.”

In 2009, Repya, who had been an active member of the GOP and ran for chair of the party in Minnesota, announced in the Pioneer Press that he was leaving the Republican Party to become a member of the Independence Party.

“After years of ineffective party leadership resulting in a record number of defeats, lack of transparency in party dealings, alleged financial impropriety by former party employees, and numerous Federal Election Commission problems, can you really blame the electorate for abandoning the Minnesota GOP?” Repya wrote. “In my opinion, the new party leaders are rabid, power-hungry ideologues and the former attack dogs of the previous party chairman. They will not provide a message of inclusiveness or willingness to discuss contrary opinions. Honest, open and transparent party operations will not exist.”

In addition to Repya, former Republican staffer Tom Horner said on Monday that he will be leaving the Republican party to run under the Independence Party banner. Also filed to run for governor under the IP, Rob Hahn of St. Paul, John Uldrich of Minneapolis, and Rahn Workcuff also of Minneapolis.

After years of ineffective party leadership resulting in a record number of defeats, lack of transparency in party dealings, alleged financial impropriety by former party employees, and numerous Federal Election Commission problems, can you really blame the electorate for abandoning the Minnesota GOP?

On June 13, the party continued its death spiral by electing the same failed leadership that has lost the last two elections. The “old guard” network of the GOP State Central Delegates continued to imitate lemmings gleefully following each other over the cliff to the political abyss below.

Possibly the last chance to reform and re-energize the Minnesota GOP before the 2010 governor’s race has been lost. For me, it was the last straw. I refuse to enable poor performance any longer.

Repya ran for Minnesota GOP party chair in 2007, but lost out to Ron Carey. Earlier this month Tony Sutton was elected as Carey’s successor.

MM: First of all, 2006 was a difficult year for the Republican party, both in Minnesota and nationally.  What do you attribute the electoral difficulties of last year to?

AAA: Ron Carey.  Pure and simple.  No two ways about it.  I would challenge him to a duel if I could.

MM: You’ve been outspoken in your opposition to Minnesota GOP chair Ron Carey, at one point saying flatly, “Ron Carey is not the right person to lead the Republican party into the 2008 elections.”  Why do you feel that way?

AAA: What is this, a trick question?

Did you see how the MN House and Senate went? You’re kidding right? Am I the only one who noticed how we lost MORE seats in ’06 than ’04? There is a commie in the Secretary of State’s office now. A full blown socialist commie! (sorry, I know that is probably falling on deaf ears with your readers.)

MM: Lt. Col. Joe Repya has been mentioned as a possible challenger to Carey.  Do you support his candidacy?  Or do you have another candidate in mind?

AAA: Possible? uh, he’s running.  While I admire the Colonel, and think he’d be a good Chairman. Frankly I think he’s a bit of a party outsider since he was away playing war of late. I think he’d make a great “face” of the party, of course. And if it is a Repya vs. Carey choice, on their leadership plans and record, Repya it is.

BUT!!!!!!!! If the rumors are true!!?

There’s a dark horse that some of us insiders are talking about now — an insider, a big national money connections, PLUS a HUGE national and local media presence, and a reputation as a get it done guy and a giant-killer.

The kind of guy we need to take on that slimy trial lawyer you guys have.  I’m not going into details, but I think there’s potential there for the best of both worlds.  Some people I know in both the grassroots and the Central Committee are feeling a “power”ful pull.

MM: You campaigned unsuccessfully for GOP Vice Chair from the 6th Congressional District, in a campaign that — like many intra-party campaigns on both sides — was marred by some namecalling and dirty tricksterism.  Do you feel that the anonymous attack ad leveled against you was retaliation from the party hierarchy?  Or do you think someone else was behind it?  If someone else, who?

AAA: Does the Pope wear a funny cap?

I’m not going to name names, but let’s just say they THINK they get the “final word” on everything.  If you know what I mean.

What do you think went well for the Minnesota GOP in 2006?  How can you build on that to become competitive in 2008?

AAA: The grassroots, and the people on the Central Committee who aren’t total zombies (and it’s a thin majority) finally see not only what a tool Carey is, but what kind of snakes support him.

Throw the bums out, and get what you lefty bloggers would call a “hacktackular” new start with things.

MM: If you had total control of the Republican party apparatus in Minnesota, how would you envision things running?  What would your priorities be?  What do you think the party’s priorities should be?

AAA: We’d have supermajorities in both houses, all constutional offices, and a majority on all city councels. Carry permits would be required, and rather than condoms, .38 specials would be handed out in schools upon passing gun safety class, which would be a requirement in every HS in Minnesota for graduation.

But seriously. Politics is a business, and the party’s have to run that way. McDonalds doesn’t kick Burger King’s ass by saying Castro eats Whoppers, so Burger King sucks. They sell their juicy beefy goodness and freedom fries with positive messages and images. Smiles served daily works!

There’s a lot to be learned from fast food.

Cleaning house. There’s a lot baggage with some of the people that work in the Republican party…

Actually, I want to tar and feather Rep. Earhardt. If I could do just one thing, that would be it. If I could do two, I’d get reimbursed for all my expenses for my blogging over the years. Unlike you, I get not stipend from a man named George.

Total, crushing victory.  The DFL would be filing for bankruptcy in 2012 and selling off their office furniture.

Conan the Barbarian said it best; “the greatest joy is to drive your enemies before you and hear the lamentation of his women.”  That should be the goal.

And once and for all getting rank and file DFL voters to get pissed Michael Moore and Al Franken get treated like Minnesotans when they are nothing more than carpet baggers.

I have a fundraising idea that would rake in money. Pawlent dunk tanks. I’d put the Governor in a tank and travel to every County Fair with him. 3 ball for $5 bucks to dunk the Guv! That’s gold, baby.

MM: You’re backing Norm Coleman for reelection in 2008.  Has that support been affected by Coleman’s tepid support for the war?  Do you think Republicans would become frustrated enough with Coleman that a primary challenge would emerge, or do you think that in the end, the party will rally behind him?

AAA: He’s supported the parts that really mattered, in the long run. He’s made all the “must have” votes.  Both the hard left and the hard right completely misunderstand the guy. He’s going to end up running circles round them both.

And supporting Coleman is essential to my involvement in that dump-Carey push for party chair, so it all ties together. Unless I support him, people will think I just don’t want Coleman to win.

One Carey apologist always pesters me with this really funny line, “Ron Carey is the tool Norm Coleman wants to have.”

I just giggle every single time I hear it. The person gets so pissed off. Goo times.

Total non-issue.  Coleman is golden.  Solid as a rock.

Hypothetically if he really turned into a RINO we could take him out:

We could start a draft movement. We’ve got some of the best bloggers in the Nation right here in Minnesota who are spot on on the conservative issues. The NARN guys are rock stars on the right, and in the eyes of the Delegates, can walk on water.

Coleman would definitely have one hell of a time against any one of those guys. We’ll have to see how Coleman acts in September after Patreuas reports back to Congress, if Pelosi and Reid can finish off the last Republicans who still want to defeat the evil doers in Iraq, I’m willing to bet Coleman may join the retreat and defeat caucus and join Democrats in bringing defeat to America again.

That would be the final straw with most of us war mongering baby killing Republicans. (that is how you guys usually refer to us as, right?)

Again, that is hypothetically!

MM: Al Franken and Mike Ciresi are in the race for Senate on the DFL side; others have toyed with the idea.  Do either Franken or Ciresi worry you?  Do any Democrats worry you?  Or do you think Coleman will have a pretty easy path to reelection?

AAA: With all due respect, are you on drugs? Did you have one too many “

Andy Aplikowski may seem like an unlikely figure to be in the vanguard of a Republican Party insurrection.  The son of a former mayor, Aplikowski was one of the bloggers at Kennedy v. the Machine, a blog set up in support of Mark Kennedy’s unsuccessful 2006 run for U.S. Senate, as well as a founder of Bachmann v. Wetterling, which supported Michele Bachmann’s campaign.  He even rode along with Kennedy’s RV tour in the waning days of the campaign.  He’s an unrepentant conservative, and he’s been hard on those he perceives as too liberal — or Republicans “in name only.”  He’s even taken a few shots at Minnesota Monitor.

But Aplikowski is part of a growing wave of discontent among GOP faithful, borne of the fallout from the disastrous 2006 elections.  While some within the party have simply shrugged and suggested that it was just a DFL wave, Aplikowski has taken harsh shots at state GOP Chair Ron Carey and the leadership of the Minnesota GOP, on the pages of his blog, in GOP meetings, or through an unsuccessful candidacy for state vice chair from the Sixth Congressional District.

“Debate is good for politics,” said Aplikowski in an interview with Minnesota Monitor.  “Cowards who hide behind the 11th commandment, spew dime-a-dozen lazy compliments and stab you in the back anonymously need to be held accountable.”

Aplikowski was clear on whom he blamed for the party’s failures in 2006.

“Ron Carey.  Pure and simple,” he said, when asked the main factor in the GOP’s defeat last year.  “No two ways about it.  I would challenge him to a duel if I could,” he added, jokingly.

Aplikowski was withering in his criticism of Carey and his regime and said that his side has support.

“The grass roots and the people on the [Republican] Central Committee who aren’t total zombies — and it’s a thin majority — finally see not only what a tool Carey is but what kind of snakes support him, and what a dismal mistake it was to support him in 2006,” he said.

More InsideAplikowski doesn’t directly blame Carey and his supporters for a last-minute anonymous hit piece against him that may have derailed his vice chair bid, one that would have put him on the GOP’s Central Committee.  But he did say, “I’m not going to name names, but let’s just say they think they get the ‘final word’ on everything.”

Aplikowski indicated that he was open to the candidacy of Lt. Col. Joe Repya for chair of the GOP, saying, “I admire the colonel and think he’d be a good chairman.”  While he thought Repya’s recent absence from the state might be used against him, he said, “If it is a Repya vs. Carey choice, on their leadership plans and record, Repya it is.”  However, he hinted that another candidate for GOP chair might be in the wings.

“There’s a dark horse that some of us insiders are talking about now — an insider with big national money connections plus a huge national and local media presence and a reputation as a get-it-done guy and a giant-killer. The kind of guy we need to take on that slimy trial lawyer you guys have.” Aplikowski added cryptically, “Some people I know in both the grass roots and the central committee are feeling a powerful pull.”

Aplikowski said that the GOP needs to find its voice, and look to business for ideas on how to craft its message.

“Politics is a business, and the parties have to run that way. McDonald’s doesn’t kick Burger King’s ass by saying Castro eats Whoppers, so Burger King sucks. They sell their juicy, beefy goodness and freedom fries with positive messages and images. Smiles served daily works!”

Aplikowski said that he hoped a revitalized GOP could achieve “total, crushing victory.  The DFL would be filing for bankruptcy by 2012 and selling off their office furniture.”  While that may not be possible, Aplikowski thought that at the very least, change would be good for the GOP.

“Throw the bums out,” said Aplikowski, adding that it was time for the GOP to “get what you lefty bloggers
would call a ‘hacktackular’ new start with things.”

A transcript of the interview is also available.