Minnesota’s Independence Party meets in St. Cloud

ST. CLOUD, Minn. (AP) - Members of Minnesota's third major political party have gathered in St. Cloud for their yearly convention.

The Independence Party held their meet up Saturday at St. Cloud State University. Chief on the meeting's agenda was the contested race for party chairman.

The Independence Party has enjoyed major-party status in Minnesota since its origins during the political career of former governor Jesse Ventura. The party has fielded a number of statewide and congressional candidates in recent years but none have mustered more than 20 percent of the vote. In 2010, the party's candidate for governor Tom Horner got about 12 percent.

Independence Party officials have said they hope to field a serious candidate for governor next year, but no definite candidates have come forward.