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

Your host Michael Vick discusses his decision to step down from the National Committee of the Solidarity Party and his plans to focus on building a powerful state party and a media operation.

He highlights the challenges and struggles of the Solidarity Party, particularly regarding litmus tests on LGBTQ issues and the way these culture war battles illuminate a glaring problem in the party: political ineptitude. Vick emphasizes the need for diversity of views and perspectives within the party and the importance of community engagement and support.

Takeaways

• Challenges and struggles of the Solidarity Party
• Importance of diversity of views and perspectives within the party
• The urgent need for professionalism
• The positive effects of working on media outreach, grassroots activism and non-electoral politics

Chapters

• 00:00 Relaunching the Podcast
• 06:25 Liberation Caucus and LGBTQ Issues
• 15:01 Building a Powerful State Party
• 20:25 Community Engagement and Support

Links

The Federal Fairness for All Act - The AND Campaign - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zW0rPHHoZLM

"Member Perspectives: Is the ASP Anti LGBTQ+?" - https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/member-perspectives-asp-anti-lgbtq-matthew-bartko/

VoteVickUSA Website - https://www.votevickusa.com/

LinkTree - https://linktr.ee/votevickusa

Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/cw/votevickusa

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

Email - mike@votevickusa.com

In this episode of the Unorthodoxing podcast, host Mike Vick interviews Elise Ketch, a pro-life activist with a unique perspective. Elise shares her journey from a Republican upbringing to her present pro-life leftist activism, informed by her experiences and her commitment to nonviolence. Elise recounts her experiences with protests, including her arrests and the harsh realities of being in jail, where she witnessed significant human rights violations. The conversation delves into her reflections on activism, the challenges she faces, and her future goals in the pro-life movement.

In the news segment, Mike shares his thoughts on the dubiously constitutional ouster of Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro, and what can and should be done about the Trump administration's actions in the region. He also touches on the tragic and avoidable shooting death of a Minnesota woman, killed by ICE during the Trump administration's draconian crackdown on migrants in Minneapolis.

Links

Elise Ketch:

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/antipersonhood/

Tumblr - https://www.tumblr.com/secularprolifeconspectus

Portfolio - https://eliseketch.myportfolio.com/

"Rebuilding Pro-Life Non-Violence" - https://www.amazon.com/Rebuilding-Pro-Life-Nonviolence-John-Cavanaugh-OKeefe/dp/B0DGXDJ123

Mike Vick and Unorthodoxing:

Website - https://www.votevickusa.com/

LinkTree - https://linktr.ee/votevickusa

Chapters

00:00 Welcome Back and Upcoming Interviews

02:02 Venezuela and a Constitutional Crisis

06:44 ICE Kills Woman Amid Immigration Crackdown

09:43 Elise Ketch's Journey to Pro-Life Advocacy

16:39 Radicalization and Activism

21:49 Experiences of Arrest and Incarceration

30:35 Reflections on Prison Reform and Activism

31:12 Experiencing Arrest and Protest Tactics

33:50 Artistic Journey and Activism

34:41 Show Updates

Keywords

Venezuela, Maduro, Trump, ICE, Minneapolis, Minnesota, pro-life, activism, abortion, Elise Ketch, protests, jail, human rights, politics, nonviolence

In this episode of Unorthodoxing, host Mike Vick delves into the recent arrest of pro-life activists in Memphis, and the Trump administration's controversial actions in Venezuela. Mike also speaks with Amar Patel, former vice presidential nominee of the American Solidarity Party, discussing his political journey and the challenges of third-party politics.

Be sure to check out Patreon and Substack for bonus episodes and more members-only perks. This week, look for Amar's take on where ASP stands now and his hopes for the future of the party.

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/votevickusa

Substack: https://votevickusa.substack.com/

Follow Mike on social media:

https://linktr.ee/votevickusa

Links

Rescue Resurrection - https://rescueresurrection.com/

Elise Ketch - https://www.instagram.com/antipersonhood

"Rebuilding Pro-Life Nonviolence" - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/219062235-rebuilding-pro-life-nonviolence

Illinois Solidarity Party - https://www.solidarity-party.org/chapters/illinois

Lessons from the 2020 Campaign, Brian Carroll and Amar Patel - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8f6XcwCkfPI&t=12s

Ask Me Anything with Brian Carroll, hosted by Amar Patel - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeVoJN2W080

Amar Patel : "Family, Friends, And Faith" And The Crisis Of Moral Capital - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOt-yUA9oWM

The Hard Road Is Less Traveled, with Amar Patel - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1KP1CD0wBk

"Memphis PD arrest, carry away anti-abortion activists blockading Planned Parenthood" - https://news2share.com/memphis-pd-arrest-anti-abortion-activists/

Ford Fischer (Twitter) - https://x.com/FordFischer

Contact Ford Fischer - fordfischer@news2share.com

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Unorthodoxing

00:31 Rescue Resurrection Recap

02:53 Venezuela Controversy

07:19 Amar Patel's Political Journey

16:53 Joining the American Solidarity Party

26:04 Becoming a vice presidential candidate

36:07 Outro and Acknowledgements

Keywords

Unorthodoxing, Mike Vick, Terrisa Bukovinac, Progressive Anti-Abortion Uprising, FACE Act, Trump, Venezuela, Amar Patel, American Solidarity Party, third-party politics

In the inaugural episode of Unorthodoxing, host Mike Vick discusses controversial military actions in the Caribbean and the implications of a Supreme Court case regarding abortion and free speech. He also interviews Terrisa Bukovinac, founder of Progressive Anti-Abortion Uprising and 2024 Democratic presidential candidate.

Links

World Beyond War: https://worldbeyondwar.org/

Terrisa Bukovinac - Campaign Page: https://terrisa2024.com/

Progressive Anti-Abortion Uprising: https://paaunow.org/

Justice for the Five: https://paaunow.org/justiceforthefive

Secular Pro-Life: https://secularprolife.org/

Rescue Resurrection: https://rescueresurrection.com/

Option Line - Pregnancy Resources and Help: https://optionline.org/

Follow Unorthodoxing and Mike Vick

Link Tree: https://linktr.ee/votevickusa

VoteVickUSA: https://www.votevickusa.com/

Substack: https://votevickusa.substack.com/

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/votevickusa

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Unorthodoxing

01:24 Controversial Potential War Crime in the Caribbean

06:47 Supreme Court Case on Abortion and Free Speech

09:16 Interview with Terrisa Bukovinac

29:03 Follow Unorthodoxing on social media and become a member for exclusive clips and videos

Keywords

politics, progressive, leftist, pro-life, military strikes, Venezuela, Supreme Court, abortion, activism, pregnancy resource center, interviews, news analysis, Michael Vick, Mike Vick, Unorthodoxing

Are you tired of political talk shows that stoke hatred, fear and division? Do you want to see something new in a political talk show, not just the same old Democrats and Republicans yelling past each other?

You've come to the right place! Unorthodoxing is the podcast where you'll meet people just like you with political views you won't usually find on the nightly news or at your ballot box. Meet us on common ground with commonsense solutions for the common good. Subscribe today!

Find Unorthodoxing on YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts. Check out host Mike Vick's website and follow him on social media! To support the show and get exclusive, members-only content, visit Patreon.