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  "description": "Local resident Scott Wesbur is gathering signatures to place independent State Auditor candidate Jay Reeves on the 2026 Minnesota ballot within a strict 14-day window. Reeves, a veteran and professional data analyst, aims to modernize state systems and implement automated, data-driven oversight.",
  "path": "/elections-2026-im-gathering-signatures-for-independent-state-auditor-candidate-jay-reeves/",
  "publishedAt": "2026-05-25T16:55:26.000Z",
  "site": "https://plymouthmn.com",
  "tags": [
    "PlymouthMN.com Community Contributor",
    "Plymouth and the west metro",
    "plain-English",
    "Asian Fair",
    "Tator Daze",
    "Ales in the Alley",
    "visit Jay's Campaign Website",
    "https://www.forwardindependencemn.org/",
    "Jay Reeves for State AuditorEndorsed by Forward Independence to be Minnesota’s 20th State AuditorJay Reeves for State AuditorJay Reeves for State Auditor",
    "Culture, Cuisine, and Connection: Twin Cities Asian Fair Returns to the Hilde on May 30Over 20 cultures, 80+ vendors, and a late-night music extension! 🍡🎶 The Twin Cities West Metro Asian Fair returns to Plymouth’s Hilde Performance Center on Saturday, May 30. Admission is FREE. #PlymouthMN #AsianFair2026PlymouthMN.comThe Newsroom at PlymouthMN",
    "Write for PlymouthMN.comPlymouthMN.com isn’t just a website; it’s a conversation. We’re inviting you to share the stories that social media feeds miss and Mass Media has no appetite for.PlymouthMN.comPlymouth Editorial"
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  "textContent": "> _**Editor’s Note:** This article was submitted by a West Metro resident Scott Wesbur through the _PlymouthMN.com Community Contributor_program. PlymouthMN.com is a neutral platform and does not endorse political candidates._\n\n## Candidate for the office of the State Auditor\n\nIn Minnesota, independent candidates face a steep climb to get on the ballot. Right now, to secure ballot access for the office of State Auditor, an independent candidate must gather 2,000 wet signatures in just 14 days.\n\nI am currently spending my time gathering **signatures for Jay Reeves, an independent candidate endorsed by Forward Independence** , because I believe we desperately need a qualified technologist looking at the state's books.\n\n## Jay Reeves: A retired U.S. military veteran\n\nJay is a Victoria resident, a retired U.S. military veteran, and a professional data analyst. His campaign is built on a simple premise: \"People before political party.\"\n\nIn recent years, Minnesota has faced highly publicized challenges regarding the oversight of state funds. While technology alone cannot fix bureaucratic complacency, putting a data analyst in the driver's seat of the State Auditor's office is a critical first step. Jay is focused on technologically modernizing our state systems to improve data integrity and implement rigorous, automated fraud detection. We need leadership made of steel who can withstand political pressure and let the data dictate the oversight.\n\n****Stay in the loop on**** Plymouth and the west metro\nGet plain-English updates on local issues, community stories, and events that matter.\n\nSubscribe\n\n## Deeply Rooted in Our Community\n\nBeyond his technical background, Jay is deeply rooted in our community. Born and raised on the East Side of Saint Paul, he is a father of six—including a son serving in the U.S. Army—a grandfather, and is married to an educator with over 25 years of service. He understands the real-world impact of how state resources are managed.\n\nJay is currently traveling across the Twin Cities and the state during the next week to meet with voters and gather the required signatures to officially submit his candidacy to the Secretary of State.\n\nIf you believe in data-driven oversight and want to help an honest technologist get on the ballot this fall, I encourage you to meet with him to sign his petition.\n\n### Upcoming Signature Gathering this weekend in the west metro:\n\n  * Saturday, May 30th:\n    * **Plymouth** - Asian Fair - 3500 Plymouth Blvd\n    * **Brooklyn Park** - Tator Daze - 5600 85th Ave N\n    * **Shakopee** - Ales in the Alley - 120 Holmes St S\n\n\n\n### Additional locations:\n\n  * May 28-30 - **Owatonna** - Steele County Fair Grounds\n  * May 29-30 - **Detroit Lakes** - Street Faire at the lakes\n  * May 29-30 - **Saint Paul** - Flint Hills Family Festival\n  * May 29-31 - **Morristown** - Morristown Dam Days\n  * May 29-31 - **Richmond** - Kickoff Jam\n  * May 29-31 - **St. Francis** - St. Francis Pioneer Days\n  * May 30 - **Faribault** - Straight River Art Fest\n  * May 30 - **Saint Paul** - WaterFest\n\n\n\n _To learn more about the campaign or to find out how to sign the petition, you can contact the campaign directly at 763-229-1931 or_ visit Jay's Campaign Website_._\n\n****About the author:**** ****Scott Wesbur**** is a risk manager in the finance industry who currently chairs Congressional District 3 for the Forward-Independence Party of Minnesota. Additionally, he volunteer coaches his kid's soccer team and rides in parades to raise awareness for a local childrens hospital.\n\n* * *\n\n  * https://www.forwardindependencemn.org/\n\nJay Reeves for State AuditorEndorsed by Forward Independence to be Minnesota’s 20th State AuditorJay Reeves for State AuditorJay Reeves for State AuditorCulture, Cuisine, and Connection: Twin Cities Asian Fair Returns to the Hilde on May 30Over 20 cultures, 80+ vendors, and a late-night music extension! 🍡🎶 The Twin Cities West Metro Asian Fair returns to Plymouth’s Hilde Performance Center on Saturday, May 30. Admission is FREE. #PlymouthMN #AsianFair2026PlymouthMN.comThe Newsroom at PlymouthMNWrite for PlymouthMN.comPlymouthMN.com isn’t just a website; it’s a conversation. We’re inviting you to share the stories that social media feeds miss and Mass Media has no appetite for.PlymouthMN.comPlymouth Editorial\n\n****West Metro - through the eyes of the people who live, work, and serve here****.",
  "title": "Elections 2026: I’m Gathering Signatures for Independent State Auditor Candidate Jay Reeves",
  "updatedAt": "2026-05-25T22:09:17.641Z"
}