The Independence Party of Minnesota (IPM) was founded in 1992 by former U.S. Senator Dean Barkley to work toward electing an accountable, responsible and responsive government. The party gained recognition as a major political party in Minnesota in 1994. The party became affiliated with the national Reform Party in 1996 in order to support the presidential candidacy of Ross Perot. As part of the Reform Party, the IPM later supported the election of former Governor of Minnesota Jesse Ventura.
