This article describes a talk given by Greg Orman recently on his experience running as an independent for U.S. Senate in Kansas last year.
From the article cited, written by Justin Wingerter:
The forum centered on politicians and voters who aren’t affiliated with a political party. Orman shared the stage with Jimmy LaSalvia, founder of the Republican gay rights group GOProud, who has since left the party.
Orman ran as an independent candidate last year in his bid to unseat longtime Sen. Pat Roberts, a Republican. The race garnered national attention after Democratic challenger Chad Taylor dropped out and polls showed Orman leading Roberts.
“When we started our race, we were polling at 7 percent in June,” Orman told the crowd Wednesday. “Anybody who knew anything about politics said: ‘Don’t run.’ ”
Orman largely dodged questions about his race with Roberts and his political future but at times offered himself as an example that independent candidates can challenge Republicans and Democrats.
“By August we were at 23 percent and within a month I think it became clear that we were the only alternative to Pat,” Orman said. “Then, you know, we found ourselves in an eight-week knife fight.”
Orman spoke of growing up in Minnesota with a Republican father who favored gun control and a Democratic mother who was anti-abortion. The Olathe businessman said he has been a registered Democrat, a registered Republican and voted for independent Ross Perot in 1992.