Independent Veterans of America Announces Three 2025 Candidate Endorsements

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

CONTACT: Press@IndependentVeteransOfAmerica.org

Independent Veteran Leaders Named in Elections from School Board to Governor

NEW YORK, October 20, 2025: Today, in advance of the upcoming elections in two weeks, Independent Veterans of America (IVA) is proud to announce our 2025 independent veteran candidate endorsements.

This new round of endorsed candidates are outstanding independent leaders that will serve their communities with honor, stand strong as political independents, unify all voters, and bring hope to their home areas and to all Americans.

IVA is the first and only organization focused specifically on recruiting, supporting and electing independent and unaffiliated veteran candidates and incumbents. After launching on Independence Day (July 4th) 2024, generating strong membership growth and national media coverage, and historically endorsing 11 candidates last election cycle (including 4 winners), IVA’s 50-state outreach plan has succeeded in galvanizing an outstanding movement of independent veterans who are stepping up to serve at the local, state and federal level, driving independent reform and inspiring communities nationwide to come together and put country over party.

IVA conducted a rigorous review and interview process and is proud to announce that these three dynamic leaders have been selected for 2025 endorsement.

The independent veteran leaders that have earned IVA’s 2025 endorsement represent a diverse group in age, military branch, background, gender and geography. They come from different states and are running to serve in offices as high as Governor and as local as the school board.

IVA is proud to share that this dynamic group of independent leaders includes:

Mike Procuk

Frederick County, VA – School Board

Mike Procuk is an Independent candidate for the Frederick County School Board, Red Bud District, in Virginia. He is a U.S. Army veteran, program manager, youth sports coach, and parent with a strong commitment to service, integrity, and respect. Mike emphasizes putting students above political platforms and will foster collaboration over division in school governance. In a school board currently filled with partisans, Mike will bring a strong, trusted, independent voice his community can count on to navigate these perilous times for the students of Frederick County–which include two of Mike’s own kids.

Toby Proctor

North Granby, Connecticut – Board of Finance

Toby is a decorated Navy combat veteran, a professional with more than 15 years of experience as a financial analyst and budget planner, and has served in local civic roles such as assistant treasurer of the Granby Education Foundation and chair of the school building committee. Toby is a former Naval Officer with first-hand combat leadership skill, leading a 11 person Combat AirCrew in Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom. Toby is independent, hardworking, honorable and the right choice for all voters in North Granby.

Donna Charles

Governor of Virginia (no longer running)

Donna Charles is an Air Force veteran and independent public servant who entered the 2025 Virginia gubernatorial race as an independent candidate, offering voters an alternative to traditional party politics. She has over 20 years of impressive experience in national security, having served in roles at the State Department, Department of Defense, Capitol Hill, and the National Security Council.

Donna recently bowed out of the race, but completed the IVA application process fully before that and ran a campaign to be proud of that was grounded in independence, integrity and honesty.

Donna is a true rising star in the independent movement. IVA celebrates her leadership and courage and is excited to support whatever the future holds for her in public service.

“In this time of division, turmoil, corruption and partisan failure, independent candidates represent hope for all Americans. They also represent a rising threat to both the Democrat and Republican parties and our country’s badly broken, hyper-partisan political system. This is an impressive, committed and serious group of independent candidates. These strong, moderate and reasonable men and women represent the best of America, their communities and the independent movement. They come from different service branches, but are all united in their dedication to lead again now independently in elected office. These are leaders that all Americans can support, root for and believe in. IVA looks forward to introducing these bold leaders to America and to galvanizing support to help them win in November and continue to grow as leaders. These men and women are the groundbreaking second wave of a new and rising movement. They are the plank owners that are building the foundation for waves of independent veteran leaders to come. A wave that will crest powerfully in 2026.” IVA Founder and CEO Paul Rieckhoff stated.

Independents are the future of American politics. And independent veterans are leading that future.

~49% of all Americans consider themselves independents. They are the largest, fastest-growing and most-influential group of voters in the United States. And they are starving for leaders with integrity to support.
There are more than 18 million veterans in America. And 49% of veterans self-identify as independent or unaffiliated voters. And that number is rising by the day.
A majority of veterans are clear in their desire for less partisanship and more integrity in our leaders.

Veterans vote. 98% of post-9/11 veterans recently surveyed said they planned to vote in 2024.
A supermajority (65%) of young people (age 16-39) consider themselves independent and unaffiliated with either major party. This group includes millions of active duty and post-9/11 veterans.

From now until Election Day, IVA will raise and deploy resources aggressively to help these endorsed candidates win. On the airwaves, online and on the ground, IVA will add powerful reinforcements to help them to victory on Election Day.

After Election Day, on Veterans Day (11/11), IVA will again unite these leaders, our community, and all Americans to offer non-partisan hope for the future and continue to build the independent veterans movement for decades to come.

IVA is also accepting applications for endorsement for the pivotal 2026 elections on the IVA website endorsement page now.

We expect this to be our largest and most powerful cohort of independent veteran leaders yet and will announce our first round of 2026 endorsements soon after Election Day and around Veterans Day next month.

Independent Veterans of America (IVA) is the first organization in America to identify and empower the millions of politically independent/unaffiliated American veterans to defend and strengthen our democracy. IVA has support from a renowned group of advisors including Admiral Mike Mullen, historian Ken Burns, author Sebastian Junger, advocate Paul Rieckhoff, Medal of Freedom Recipient Bonnie Carroll, Independent Mayor of Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade and others, Led by and built around the unique power and potential of veterans, IVA is growing, deploying and electing a new generation of leaders who will protect the soul of the country we love, defend the values we hold dear, and improve our nation for generations to come.

This is the moment to answer the call. If you’re an independent veteran, or you’re an independent-curious Democrat or Republican, we invite you to declare your independence from the broken parties and join IVA.

Leave the partisan herds. Run with the independent pack.

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Independent Veterans of America’s mission is to organize and elect independent veterans to support and defend our democracy and lead America to a stronger future.

Learn more at www.IndependentVeteransOfAmerica.org