Governor Jesse Venture not alone in his political affiliation any more

Posted 1/10/01

Governor Jesse Venture not alone in his political affiliation any more

By T.W. Budig
ECM capitol reporter

Though losing all of their legislative races, the Independence Party of Minnesota now has two elected members in state government.
The latest arrival is Sen. Bob Lessard of International Falls, a long-time Iron Range DFLer known for his excitability and passion for the outdoors.

Previous to Lessard switching parties, Gov. Ventura was the sole Independence Party elected official in higher office in Minnesota.
Lessard, who declared himself an Independent in July, is the former chairman of the Senate Environment and Natural Resource Committee.
ìI made my decision (to switch) last night,î
said Lessard at a Capitol press conference Jan. 3 in the Governorís Reception Room.

ìThe reason I did this is because I felt there was a precious lack of communication between the Governorís Office and the legislative branch,î said Lessard.

He said he was ìpretty muchî in agreement with Ventura on the issues. For instance, he agrees with Ventura that state tax policy needs reform, he said.

ìWe have been in he dark ages for years and this is the one chance we have to do it,î said Lessard.

Ventura welcomed Lessard to the Independence Party, saying the senator comes to the party with years of distinguished service to his credit.

ìI think heís breaking new ground,î said Ventura. ìIt takes a lot of courage on the part of the senator to do this,î he said.
ìAnd I certainly hope other people will follow this conviction. Who knows. When you get one defection there could be more,î said Ventura.
The governor said he considers Lessard as having the same status in the Senate as Republican Minority Leader Dick Day.

Lessard deserves the equal staff that Day has, said Ventura.

Day, speaking at a Republican press conference, said he had asked Lessard to join the Republican caucus.

Day said he personally was fond of Lessard.
ìBut his decision: I think something left him over the New Yearís celebration. I hope he gets it back,î said Day.

Sen. Jane Krentz, DFL, May Township, who now chairs the Senate Environment and Natural Resource Committee, said Lessard ran last November as an Independent and has a streak of independence in his character.

So she wasnít surprised by his switching to the Independence Party, she said.
ìIíll work with him whatever his label,î said Krentz.

Krentz questioned whether there was a real Independence Party movement to attract other lawmakers. Lessard was somewhat a unique case, she said.

Heíd lose his committee had he stayed a DFLer because of terms limits and heíd lose his committee by switching parties.
Perhaps joining the Independence Party, possibly having the ear of the governor, makes sense for him.

ìThis provides maybe an avenue for him to have more of voice than had he gone off by himself (as an Independent),î she said.

ìWhether he has more power, I donít know,î said Krentz.