IP convention underway
The Independence Party of Minnesota is holding its state convention at Normandale Community College in Bloomington. The main order of business is to endorse a candidate for governor. There are five candidates who will compete: Tom Horner, Rob Hahn, John Uldrich, Jim Koepke and Chris Pfeifer.
The endorsement process is supposed to begin around 1 pm, but the convention finished its morning business a little early, so the candidates did a brief q&a session with the delegates.
Horner, Hahn and Uldrich all said they will run in the primary if they don't win the endorsement. They also talked about unallotment and energy. Horner said he would not have used unallotment last year. Hahn said the state needs a more comprehensive energy policy and can't just follow every fad.
It's a much smaller group of delegates than at the GOP or DFL conventions. Party chair Jack Uldrich says there are about 200 delegates. There were nearly 1,400 at the DFL convention and 2,000 at the GOP convention.
Mark Zdechlik and I are both here and will provide updates throughout the afternoon.
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