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Oct 29, 2006 11:11 am US/Central
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Profile: Gubernatorial Candidate Peter Hutchinson
by Pat Kessler
(WCCO)
Peter Hutchinson says he is not a career politician, which is why, most of the time, this self-described introvert travels in a team.
"We're Team Minnesota. We're here to join together to change both the politics and the governance of our state," Hutchinson said during a stump on the campaign trail.
He tops a ticket of candidates for other state jobs.
"We can tell our contributors you actually get more for your money in this campaign. There's only one campaign manager; you don't have to pay for four."
All with the Independence Party.
A party that held an unconventional convention at Midway Stadium in St. Paul this year.
Beer, brats, ballots and, of course, a bison.
Hutchinson has made a career out of challenging conventional wisdom. He's the author of several books about re-inventing government. And he's not afraid to propose ideas that other politicians might never consider.
Hutchinson's proposed a fine on distracted drivers he calls 'dumb' for causing crashes that hold up rush-hour traffic. And he says voters are sick and tired of hearing politicians talk about the 'Gs.'
"We polarize ourselves, we divide ourselves, and we scare each other over what I used to call 'the five G's: guns, gays, God, gambling and gynecology. But after this last session we have to add two more: green cards and stadiums for gladiators."
This is Hutchinson's first run at public office. He's a successful businessman, corporate vice president at Dayton Hudson department stores, finance commissioner for former DFL Governor Rudy Perpich, then schools superintendent for Minneapolis during the mid '90s.
"All the work we've done tells us we're not there today; we have too much uncertainty about the curriculum," he said during his term as the city's top educator.
At a time of poor student performance, Hutchinson under pressure to turn things around. And his critics say he didn't do enough.
Ten years later, Hutchinson's TV ads remind Minnesotans they've elected an Independent before.
Who can forget Jesse Ventura?
But in a too-close-to-call race for governor here, third party votes could mean the difference between winning and losing.
Recent polls show Hutchinson taking less than 10 percent of the vote, mostly from Democrats. But Hutchinson has Republicans worried too.
A breath of reality at the usually formal debates, Hutchinson said he's ridden on state roads and bluntly said, "they suck."
And through it all, Hutchinson takes time to think.
Whatever the outcome, the Independence Party candidate has made an impact, win or lose.
(© MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)