Candidate Joe Repya Exits Gov's Race with some Parting Shots at the IP

February 22, 2010
Minnesota State Capitol - By Marty Owings

Independence Party Candidate Joe Repya announced on his website Sunday that he was ending his campaign for Governor. Repya states on his website that, "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."

I contacted Repya for more details on his decision.

According to Repya, the trouble started last night at a IP Executive Committee meeting when there were several motions being made around a rule change that would have given each IP Candidate access to the coveted party delegate list. He says since he was the only Candidate in the IP who pledged he would abide by the endorsement process, he wasn't happy with the move. Repya says, "They made a rule change driven by one Candidate and I didn't think that was right". Repya wouldn't say who the "one Candidate" was.

Repya says he warned Party leadership that if the change was made, he'd be quitting. He says he was very specific about it. In addition, Repya says that, "I am very dissapointed at the personal attacks of the IP Party." He added that the IP website was the source of the attacks. Checking the IP site, there is a brief statement about Repya's decision and a post written by the IP 5th District Chair Peter Tharaldson. Here is a portion of what he wrote:

"Here is what happened tonight. Someone didn't like the way things were going in votes so they came up with a lame excuse and quit. Sadly he was a great rural candidate who would have done well had he left his Eagan home and driven somewhere outside the metro area. The last time I felt this angry was when Ross Perot quit the race because someone ruined his daughters wedding. It is one thing when it is a straight shooter like Ross. Truth is it appears that all the press releases and articles written were done well before the action tonight."

"He needs to apologize to supporters now!"

Here is a link to the full post:
http://www.independenceminnesota.org/blog/posts/355-say-it-aint-so-joe-i...

It's worth noting that Repya left the Republican Party for differences he had with them as well. Last summer, Repya blasted the GOP in a Pioneer Press Op-Ed, for what he called, "failed leadership". Here is a portion of what he wrote in his Pioneer Press article:

"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?

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 says his principles won't allow him to be part of a political organization that won't uphold its own principles. He adds that the closer he got to exposing corruption in the GOP, the further they tried to distance themselves from him. He says he left the GOP because they were, "run by big money".

When asked if he had anything positive to say about his experiences with the Independence Party, he stated, "Yes, they have some really great people there who are interested in changing politics as usual". As for other Political Party's, Repya responded by saying he was originally a DFLer, was active in the DFL in college, but after he came home from Vietnam they called him, "a baby killer", so he wanted nothing to do with the party.

Repya says he no plans for public office right now.

Here is the text of Joe Repya's letter explaining his decision to end his campaign:

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.

Respectfully,

Joe

Repya's statement on why he was running for Governor: