 Candidates are nominated in caucuses, the members of which are supporting members of the party, elected by the party's full membership.The Independent Party nominated Cliff Thomason as their candidate in the 2016 gubernatorial election.In July, 2010, the Independent Party of Oregon became the first Oregon political party to conduct a primary election at its own expense in more than 100 years; the first Oregon political party ever to conduct a binding primary election entirely over the internet; and the first Oregon minor political party to conduct a primary election.