Independence-Alliance Party of Minnesota – Not Left, Not Right, Forward!
Source: http://www.mnip.org
Archived: 2026-04-23 16:47
Independence-Alliance Party of Minnesota – Not Left, Not Right, Forward!
We are
Integrity
Putting People AHEAD of Party
Our Values
About Us
We are
Inclusive
about us
Protecting the Rights of all Americans
Our Values
Daring to Lead with Bold Ideas
We are
Innovation
Declare YOUR Independence
We are
The Independence-Alliance
Declare YOUR Independence
Special Central Committee Meeting to Discuss/Vote on Merger with Forward Party of MN - Updated Constitution and Bylaws
We have been working with the Forward Party of Minnesota on a merger of our two parties. We share so many core values, have the same philosophy to political dialogue and compete for the same voters. It only makes sense to at least explore a merger. Over the last 6 months we have done just that and have reached the point of voting on a merger. While we are largely using our Constitution and Bylaws there are several tweaks and changes. This is the required online posting of the proposed amendments (new) Constitution and Bylaws. You can
view the proposed new Constitution here
. And,
the Bylaws here
.
We understand that you may have questions – we’re happy to answer them. Email us at info@mnip.org.
Update: Please read the amended version up for vote of the
Constitution here
and the
Bylaws here
. These are very similar to the original postings (links listed above) but incorporated final negotiated revisions. Additionally, there is a
Memorandum of Understanding
and and a draft platform (also found in the MOU),
tranisitional platform
to be voted on as well.
The IP and Alliance Party "In the News"
Your Independence-Alliance, IP Candidates and National Party in the news:
What else is on the ballot this Tuesday?
; The Mac Weekly (Macalester College Student Newspaper), 10/30/2024
Meet the Candidates: Creedence Petroff (21A)
; PBS-TV; 10/03/2024
From Republican to Independent: Joyce Lacey’s Senate Campaign
, St. Cloud Times, 08/27/2024
Your Vote 2024: Interview with US Senate candidate Joyce Lacey
; KTTC-TV, 08/05/2024
Interview with the Minnesota Independence-Alliance Party’s Phil Fuehrer and Robert Hopkins
, Long Live Alternative Parties Podcast, 11/17/23
Minnesota shouldn’t have to wait 25 more years for another third-party victory
, Minnpost, 11/16/23
Guest Jim Rex, National Chair Emeritus, Alliance Party
, The Short Bus Debate Club Podcast, 09/30/23
Shorewood elects new councilmembers Maddy, Sanschagrin
, Sun Sailor, 11/08/22
House District 5B: Hendrickson says his swing vote will benefit district
, Brainerd Dispatch, 10/22/22
Alternative candidates for Minnesota governor appear in ‘other guys’ forum
, Duluth News Tribune, 10/28/22
Minnesota gubernatorial race: As governor, I’ll give real democracy a chance
, Minneapolis Star Tribune, 10/19/22
Updated Transitional Platform pending merger with Forward Party of Minnesota
With a pending merger with the Forward Party of Minnesota, we have agreed to, and are publishing, an updated Platform to serve until the new entity (Forward Independence, upon approval) fleshes it out further.
This platform focuses on 8 key topic areas with statements of our philosophy these areas are:
Education
Free Markets
Tax and Investment
Preserving and Improving Democracy
Agriculture and Rural Communities
Public Safety
Energy and Natural Resources, and,
Families and Children
You can read the more detailed philosophy/positions here:
https://mnip.org/our-values/our-platform
Special State Central Committee Meeting - Saturday, July 26, 2025 with an 11am start
Join us on Saturday, July 26 for our a Special State Central Committee Meeting. We will be at the Ramsey County Library in Maplewood in Board Rooms A & B with business commencing at 11am.
We will be discussing and voting on a merger with the Forward Party of MN. This will entail updating our Constitution, Bylaws and more. See the
proposed Constitution here
. And,
the Bylaws here.
They are largely based on
our current versions
but there are changes, tweaks and updates. We understand there may be questions and we’re happy to answer/explain. Contact
info@mnip.org
if you would like more information.
Update: Please read the amended version up for vote of the
Constitution here
and the
Bylaws here
. These are very similar to the original postings (links listed above) but incorporated final negotiated revisions. Additionally, there is a
Memorandum of Understanding
and and a draft platform (also found in the MOU),
tranisitional platform
to be voted on as well.
It should take more than two 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.
Upcoming Events
Upcoming events of interest:
2025 Special State Central Committee Meeting
, Saturday, July 26, 2025, 11:00am start, Ramsey County Library, Maplewood, MN, Contact
info@mnip.org
for more information.
State Executive Committee Meeting
, August contact us for the meeting link
State Fair
, August 21 through September 1, Contact
info@mnip.org
to volunteer
Email:
info@mnip.org
for more information on any upcoming event.
A better way
of running the people's business
Own Your Future
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
Am I just wasting my vote if I go IP?
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.
What do you stand for?
We ……
Are you recruiting candidates?
We …
“I am of the opinion that the only wasted vote is to vote for somebody you don’t want. You want to vote for someone you want in power. You want to vote for that person you feel will do the best job.”
Ben Thome
State Director, Independence-Alliance
“Not only do you take these guys seriously in the electorate, but you have to take them seriously behind the scenes.”
Tony Sutton
former State Chair, Republican Party, Quoted in MPR News (2013)
“People are getting more and more fed up with the duopoly — the Democrats and the Republicans — and the gamesmanship both parties play. The doors are opening up for the IP and voters are coming in.”
Philip Fuehrer
State Chair, Independence-Alliance
“I think in general, there is about a third of the electorate that doesn’t like Democrats or Republicans, and if there’s a viable alternative it gives them [voters] a reason to show up.”
Dean Barkley
former US Senator and IP Founder, from Minnpost.com
REQUEST
A CALL BACK.
Would you like to speak to someone from the IP? Just submit your details and we’ll be in touch shortly. You can also email us at
info@mnip.org
if you would prefer.
We are
Integrity
Putting People AHEAD of Party
Our Values
About Us
We are
Inclusive
about us
Protecting the Rights of all Americans
Our Values
Daring to Lead with Bold Ideas
We are
Innovation
Declare YOUR Independence
We are
The Independence-Alliance
Declare YOUR Independence
Special Central Committee Meeting to Discuss/Vote on Merger with Forward Party of MN - Updated Constitution and Bylaws
We have been working with the Forward Party of Minnesota on a merger of our two parties. We share so many core values, have the same philosophy to political dialogue and compete for the same voters. It only makes sense to at least explore a merger. Over the last 6 months we have done just that and have reached the point of voting on a merger. While we are largely using our Constitution and Bylaws there are several tweaks and changes. This is the required online posting of the proposed amendments (new) Constitution and Bylaws. You can
view the proposed new Constitution here
. And,
the Bylaws here
.
We understand that you may have questions – we’re happy to answer them. Email us at info@mnip.org.
Update: Please read the amended version up for vote of the
Constitution here
and the
Bylaws here
. These are very similar to the original postings (links listed above) but incorporated final negotiated revisions. Additionally, there is a
Memorandum of Understanding
and and a draft platform (also found in the MOU),
tranisitional platform
to be voted on as well.
The IP and Alliance Party "In the News"
Your Independence-Alliance, IP Candidates and National Party in the news:
What else is on the ballot this Tuesday?
; The Mac Weekly (Macalester College Student Newspaper), 10/30/2024
Meet the Candidates: Creedence Petroff (21A)
; PBS-TV; 10/03/2024
From Republican to Independent: Joyce Lacey’s Senate Campaign
, St. Cloud Times, 08/27/2024
Your Vote 2024: Interview with US Senate candidate Joyce Lacey
; KTTC-TV, 08/05/2024
Interview with the Minnesota Independence-Alliance Party’s Phil Fuehrer and Robert Hopkins
, Long Live Alternative Parties Podcast, 11/17/23
Minnesota shouldn’t have to wait 25 more years for another third-party victory
, Minnpost, 11/16/23
Guest Jim Rex, National Chair Emeritus, Alliance Party
, The Short Bus Debate Club Podcast, 09/30/23
Shorewood elects new councilmembers Maddy, Sanschagrin
, Sun Sailor, 11/08/22
House District 5B: Hendrickson says his swing vote will benefit district
, Brainerd Dispatch, 10/22/22
Alternative candidates for Minnesota governor appear in ‘other guys’ forum
, Duluth News Tribune, 10/28/22
Minnesota gubernatorial race: As governor, I’ll give real democracy a chance
, Minneapolis Star Tribune, 10/19/22
Updated Transitional Platform pending merger with Forward Party of Minnesota
With a pending merger with the Forward Party of Minnesota, we have agreed to, and are publishing, an updated Platform to serve until the new entity (Forward Independence, upon approval) fleshes it out further.
This platform focuses on 8 key topic areas with statements of our philosophy these areas are:
Education
Free Markets
Tax and Investment
Preserving and Improving Democracy
Agriculture and Rural Communities
Public Safety
Energy and Natural Resources, and,
Families and Children
You can read the more detailed philosophy/positions here:
https://mnip.org/our-values/our-platform
Special State Central Committee Meeting - Saturday, July 26, 2025 with an 11am start
Join us on Saturday, July 26 for our a Special State Central Committee Meeting. We will be at the Ramsey County Library in Maplewood in Board Rooms A & B with business commencing at 11am.
We will be discussing and voting on a merger with the Forward Party of MN. This will entail updating our Constitution, Bylaws and more. See the
proposed Constitution here
. And,
the Bylaws here.
They are largely based on
our current versions
but there are changes, tweaks and updates. We understand there may be questions and we’re happy to answer/explain. Contact
info@mnip.org
if you would like more information.
Update: Please read the amended version up for vote of the
Constitution here
and the
Bylaws here
. These are very similar to the original postings (links listed above) but incorporated final negotiated revisions. Additionally, there is a
Memorandum of Understanding
and and a draft platform (also found in the MOU),
tranisitional platform
to be voted on as well.
It should take more than two 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.
Upcoming Events
Upcoming events of interest:
2025 Special State Central Committee Meeting
, Saturday, July 26, 2025, 11:00am start, Ramsey County Library, Maplewood, MN, Contact
info@mnip.org
for more information.
State Executive Committee Meeting
, August contact us for the meeting link
State Fair
, August 21 through September 1, Contact
info@mnip.org
to volunteer
Email:
info@mnip.org
for more information on any upcoming event.
A better way
of running the people's business
Own Your Future
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
Am I just wasting my vote if I go IP?
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.
What do you stand for?
We ……
Are you recruiting candidates?
We …
“I am of the opinion that the only wasted vote is to vote for somebody you don’t want. You want to vote for someone you want in power. You want to vote for that person you feel will do the best job.”
Ben Thome
State Director, Independence-Alliance
“Not only do you take these guys seriously in the electorate, but you have to take them seriously behind the scenes.”
Tony Sutton
former State Chair, Republican Party, Quoted in MPR News (2013)
“People are getting more and more fed up with the duopoly — the Democrats and the Republicans — and the gamesmanship both parties play. The doors are opening up for the IP and voters are coming in.”
Philip Fuehrer
State Chair, Independence-Alliance
“I think in general, there is about a third of the electorate that doesn’t like Democrats or Republicans, and if there’s a viable alternative it gives them [voters] a reason to show up.”
Dean Barkley
former US Senator and IP Founder, from Minnpost.com
REQUEST
A CALL BACK.
Would you like to speak to someone from the IP? Just submit your details and we’ll be in touch shortly. You can also email us at
info@mnip.org
if you would prefer.