MUSKEGO, Wis. — The Independence Party has endorsed Pete Karas for Wisconsin Secretary of State, the fourth party to back his campaign this cycle. He already holds endorsements from the Wisconsin Green Party, the Transhumanist Party, and the Pirate Party.

The four parties don’t agree on some issues. What they do share is the belief that the two-party system isn’t working, and that voters need a way to say so. Wisconsin’s Secretary of State lost nearly all its policy-making authority decades ago, which means a vote for Karas carries no spoiler risk in a race that still matters. It’s a chance to send a message to Madison and Washington.

Karas will face Democrat JoCasta Zamarripa in the general election, along with the winner of the four-way Republican primary. His campaign takes no corporate money.

“Green, Transhumanist, Pirate, Independence parties have different visions for our future, but they agree our political system has been broken by limiting our choices at the polls to two options,” said Karas. “It’s obvious that the people are also frustrated, and this office is the one place they can act on it without any downside. No spoiler, no wasted vote. Just a real signal.”

“We’re proud to stand with Pete against the two-party system. Those two parties have failed us over and over again and will continue to put their party’s interests over those of the people if we allow them to do so,” said Richard Whitney, Chairperson of the Independence Party.

Karas is a lifelong Wisconsinite, born and raised in Racine and now living in Muskego. He served three terms on the Racine City Council, graduated from UW–La Crosse with a degree in economics, and ran a bar and music venue before reentering public service.

His platform includes advocating for making the Wisconsin Secretary of State a non-partisan office, having it take control of operations at the State Capitol, and continuing to modernize State records.