This week, I speak with Gary Pierce, our newly-announced lieutenant governor candidate on the campaign, about his long path through politics, ministry, and party work. Gary traces how history, faith, and a call to serve led him from early Democratic activism to the Republican Party, then into independent and third-party organizing. We also unpack Illinois ballot access hurdles, the realities of write-in campaigns, and why grassroots organizing matters so much in a state where getting on the ballot is often the first battle. Key Topics In this episode: Gary Pierce shares how politics first grabbed his attention in college, where studying history and following Jesse Jackson Sr.’s 1984 presidential campaign pushed him into active organizing.Gary recounts his move from early Democratic involvement to the Republican Party, saying his shift was driven by faith, values, and a growing sense that politics should reflect his religious convictions.The conversation digs into Illinois ballot access, especially the higher signature burden for independents and third parties and the way petition objections can knock candidates off the ballot.Gary describes his later Republican run, the committee politics around replacing a dropped-out candidate, and why he felt the party leadership blocked him.He talks about helping build the Independence Party from the ground up, serving as vice chair and candidate search committee chair, and trying to put a gubernatorial candidate on the ballot.The episode closes with Gary reflecting on the American Solidarity Party, his role as lieutenant governor candidate, and the broader goal of building a durable third party in Illinois. Timestamps (00:00) Gary Pierce is introduced as the campaign’s lieutenant governor candidate (02:12) Early political interest, history, and the Jesse Jackson Sr. campaign (04:09) Louisiana politics, moving back to Illinois, and staying engaged (06:06) Why Gary drifted from Democrats toward Republicans (08:02) Creating the Jobs Party and first attempts to run for office (11:05) Petition work, signature gathering, and getting challenged off the ballot (13:01) Close race in central Illinois and learning how local party power works (16:03) How Illinois ballot access works for independents and third parties (21:39) What drew Gary to the Republican Party and what faith had to do with it (27:04) Why Gary left the GOP after the replacement candidate fight (30:05) Gun rights, FOID cards, and a values-based interview (33:24) The decision not to replace the dropped candidate (36:22) Resigning from the Republican Party (39:39) Moving into write-in politics and the limits of doing it alone (40:51) The failed Independence Party ballot drive and the 25,000-signature hurdle (42:19) Using a billboard as a write-in strategy (44:50) Why grassroots campaigns need smart, low-cost organizing tools (48:52) How prayer, ministry, and an RFK Jr. petition email led to the Independence Party (52:25) Running for chair, becoming vice chair, and building the party infrastructure (54:11) Why the gubernatorial ballot drive fell short (57:28) Looking back at third-party politics and the path to the American Solidarity Party Links VoteVickUSA - https://www.votevickusa.com/ Illinois Solidarity Party - https://www.ilsolidarity.com/ Independence Party - https://www.indyvoters.org/
