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/

I've been hacked! Tune in for my experience with Twitter, my account history, and the challenges I've faced in the past and just this week with account security and access. It's critical for independent political campaigns to maintain an online presence. Keeping up with content can be hard enough without dealing with hackers and unsupportive "support" teams.

Takeaways

• Twitter/X has played a significant role in my professional and political journey.
• Account security and access issues on Twitter/X can have a significant impact on an individual's online presence and engagement.

Chapters

• 00:00 The Role of Twitter in My Journey
• 03:16 Account History and Political Campaigns
• 10:00 Challenges with Account Security and Access
• 17:13 Rebuilding Online Presence and Engagement

In this episode, your host Mike Vick shares his transformative decision to run as an independent candidate for governor of Illinois under the Illinois Solidarity Party, emphasizing a politics rooted in human dignity, community engagement, and breaking from traditional party cycles. This episode explores his motivations, campaign vision, and ways supporters can get involved in creating meaningful change.

Key Takeaways

• Mike Vick's decision to focus on Illinois politics after stepping down from the Solidarity Party's national leadership.
• The core reasons for running: fighting for a system that prioritizes people over party interests.
• The campaign's four key priorities: support for working families, a consistent ethic of life, community revitalization, and government integrity.
• Practical ways to support the campaign: volunteering, contributing, and running local meetups.
• The importance of independent politics and how votes for write-in candidates can still send a powerful message.
• The vision for a broader media operation to promote principled, alternative voices in politics.
• How to stay connected and involved through website updates, social media, and upcoming interviews.

Chapters

00:00 Announcing the Run for Governor of Illinois

05:17 Vision for Illinois Politics

12:05 Building a Broader Movement

Links

Campaign Site - https://www.votevickusa.com/

Unorthodoxing - https://www.unorthodoxing.com/

Social Media - https://linktr.ee/votevickusa