MA: Independent Seeks To Build Independent Party

From the Patriot Ledger:

A Marshfield businessman and one-time state representative candidate thinks the time is right to revive the “independent” party label in Massachusetts.
John Valianti, who lost to state Rep. James Cantwell in 2008, has filed papers with the Secretary of State’s office seeking to certify the Massachusetts Independent Party as an official designation. “The majority of the folks right now are independent, so you could really say we’re not being represented by either party now,” Valianti said. “There needs to be a home for the independents to go to.”  Registered voters unaffiliated with a political party – officially known as “unenrolled” voters – comprise 51 percent of the Bay State electorate. Democrats make up 37 percent and Republicans 12 percent of voters.
The seeds of the new party grew out of a series of meetings of 10 local political activists, some of whom worked on Valianti’s campaign and that of independent candidate for governor Christy Mihos.  A statement of principles released by Valianti this week supports a generally conservative and libertarian agenda, opposing tax increases and limiting the influence of lobbyist and special interest groups.