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The Independence Party of Minnesota is the third largest political party in Minnesota, behind the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL) (Affiilated with the national Democratic Party) and Republican Party. However, it is the political party of former Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura (1999-2003), and endorsed former Representative Tim Penny as a candidate for the 2002 gubernatorial election. The party has fielded candidates for most statewide races.
The party was formed in 1992 by Minnesota supporters of Ross Perot. Dean Barkley ran for the United States House of Representatives in 1992. The party began to field candidates in other state races. In 1995 the IPM joined the Reform Party and renamed itself the Reform Party of Minnesota. The state party left the national party in 2000, following the rise of Pat Buchanan as the Reform Party's presidential candidate in the election of 2000, and resumed the name Independence Party of Minnesota.
Its principles are Integrity, Dignity, Responsibility, Service and Community. In some ways it is similar to the Libertarian Party, but recognizes a larger role for government.
