Tom Horner

Education

University of Saint Thomas.

Career

He was a candidate in the 2010 election for Governor of Minnesota. Horner received his bachelor"s degree from the Thomas. In 1978, he worked as press secretary for Republican United States. Senate candidate and future Senator David Durenberger.

After Durenberger was elected, Horner served as Durenberger"s press secretary and chief of staff

After serving in Washington, Horner returned to Minnesota, where he co-founded Himle Horner Incorporated., a public affairs firm. He also served as an adjunct professor at the Thomas, where he teaches courses on communication and public affairs

Today Horner is a principal in Horner Strategies, Limited Liability Company, a public affairs and public relations firm. In 2010, Horner announced that he would run for Governor, seeking the endorsement of the Independence Party.

Horner, who had previously identified as a Republican, said he was running because both the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL) and Republican candidates had become too extreme in their views.

Horner was endorsed by his former boss, Durenberger, as well as former congressman and gubernatorial candidate Tim Penny. On May 9, 2010, Horner received the endorsement of the Independence Party for Governor. He faced Rob Hahn in the August 10 primary election, winning by a wide margin, and was therefore the ballot in the state"s November 2 general election.

He gained the endorsement of two former Republican Governors, Arne Carlson and First Rate (at Lloyd's) Quie.

Foreign supporting Horner, 18 Republicans, including Durenberger, Carlson, and Quie, were banned from participating in the Republican Party of Minnesota for two years. Other endorsements of Horner include onetime DFL United States. Senate candidate Mike Ciresi on October 19, the Star Tribune, and the Duluth News Tribune.

Horner received 11.9% of the vote. Independence Party candidates generally draw votes both from Republicanand DFL-leaning voters, but according to the Saint Paul Pioneer Press, more Republicans voted for Horner than for the Independence candidate in the previous gubernatorial election.

Achievements

• "Many Republicans apparently voted for Horner and then cast ballots for Grand Old Party legislative candidates," costing the Republican Party the Governor"s office in a year they won both houses of the legislature.

Politics

Republican Party, Independence Party of Minnesota.