The Independent Party of Oregon (IPO) has concluded a survey of its members' views on current issues. As might be expected for independent-minded individuals, the results show that the views of IPO members do not fit neatly into the categories of "liberal" or "conservative." Overall, IPO members expressed greatest interest in reducing the cost of the PERS retirement system, reducing tax breaks for corporations and the wealthy, and increasing regulation of insurance companies, particularly for health insurance.

IPO members were also asked "Which groups you believe have the most influence on state government? (select all that apply)" The results were rather striking:

CATEGORY	PERCENT
Big corporations	72.2%
Interest groups funded by wealthy individuals	66.5%
Public sector Unions	65.1%
Environmental lobby	53.2%
Private sector unions	35.2%
"Folks like me"	3.2%

View full results below or at this location:
http://www.indparty.com/survey/responses1.php

Although the Independent Party of Oregon cross-nominee, Knute Buehler, lost the Secretary of State race, our nominees for the Oregon Legislature did very well.

The table below shows that all of our cross-nominees in the Senate won. They included 3 Democrats and 1 Republican.

Of the 10 Democrats we cross-nominated for the House, 7 of them won. Of the 5 Republicans we cross-nominated for the House, 3 of them won.

Our overall score on our cross-nominated candidates for the Oregon Legislature was 14 wins and 5 losses.

State Representative		IPO Nominee
House District 08	R	Aaron Baker	L
House District 09	D	Caddy McKeown	W
House District 10	D	David Gomberg	W
House District 15	R	Andy Olson	W
House District 22	D	Betty Komp	W
House District 26	D	Wynne Wakkila	L
House District 27	D	Tobias Read	W
House District 28	D	Jeff Barker	W
House District 35	R	John Goodhouse	L
House District 37	D	Carl Hosticka	L
House District 39	R	Bill Kennemer	W
House District 49	D	Chris Gorsek	W
House District 51	D	Shemia Fagan	W
House District 54	R	Jason Conger	W
House District 55	D	John Huddle	L
State Senate
Senate District 05	D	Arnie Roblan	W
Senate District 14	D	Mark Hass	W
Senate District 25	D	Laurie Monnes Anderson	W
Senate District 27	R	Tim Knopp	W

Independent Party Secretary, Sal Peralta, sat down with Oregon Public Broadcasting to discuss the IPO in the third of OPB's series on Oregon's minor political parties. Click the play icon above the story.

OPB has the audio up here:

http://www.opb.org/thinkoutloud/shows/third-parties-independent-party/

The 2012 IPO Primary election is now complete. Many thanks to the candidates who participated and to the IPO members who voted in this, our party's second primary election. The results are below.
Congratulations to all of our nominees.

The last day to vote in the Independent Party of Oregon's 2012 Primary Election is July 17.

If you were a member of the Independent Party of Oregon as of June 1, 2012, can vote in this election. To vote, click on the link below:

VOTE IN INDEPENDENT PARTY 2012 PRIMARY ELECTIONThere, you will be able to:

• obtain an individualized official ballot at the Independent Party website (indparty.com/vote);
  
• print out and complete the ballot; and
  
• sign it and return it to the Independent Party (with a copy of a qualifying identity-validating document) by mail, fax, email, or personal delivery.

We have 48 candidates running for state and local offices, including Secretary of State, Oregon Senate, Oregon House of Representatives, and the county commissions of Benton, Crook, Jackson, Klamath, and Linn counties. The candidates include both the Democrats and Republicans running in 9 of what are expected to be the 11 closest races for the Oregon Legislature in the November 2012 general election.

Your vote in the Independent Party 2012 Primary Election will determine which candidates receive the "Independent Party" label on the November 2012 ballot. This can mean the difference between winning and losing that election.

Questions? Email info@indparty.com

The IPO Caucus has completed its process for qualifying candidates to participate in the 2012 IPO Primary Election.

The following candidates were approved on June 16:

Oregon House

David Allen, District 10
John Goodhouse, District 35
Chris Gorsek, District 49

County Commissioner

Troy Hackett, Jackson County Commissioner, position 2
Danna Lee Gustafson, Jackson County Commissioner, position 2

The caucus has qualified a total of 46 candidates for state and local office. There will be a total of 16 contested races for the party's nomination, including Secretary of State, Oregon House (9), Oregon Senate (3), and two partisan County Commissioner races (Benton, Linn, Jackson).

The complete list of approved candidates is available here: Candidates in the 2012 IPO Primary

The IPO has now qualified these additional candidates to complete in its 2012 Primary Election:

Oregon House

Burton Keeble, District 27
Tobias Read, District 27
Jason Conger, District 54
John Huddle, District 55

Oregon Senate

Steve Frank, District 9
Bryant Olsen, District 23

Local Office

Jeff Scroggin, Jackson County Commissioner, Position 2

IPO has now qualified these additional candidates to complete in its 2012 Primary Election:

Oregon House
Aaron Baker Dist 8
Marvin Sannes Dist 21
Matt Wand Dist 49

Other Offices
Benton County Commission, Position 3: Annabelle Jaramillo
Linn County Commission, Position 2: Mark Spence

IPO has also provisionally approved an additional 13 candidates, depending upon receipt of their Show of Support Petitions or filing fees on June 14 or by overnight delivery sent on June 14. Potential candidates should consult: http://www.indparty.com/candidates.