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/
