FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Press@IndependentVeteransOfAmerica.org
Four veterans. One ballot. In Washington’s top-two primary, all four must finish in the top two on August 4 to advance to November.
NEW YORK, July 29, 2026: Today, Independent Veterans of America (IVA) is proud to announce the simultaneous endorsement of four independent veteran candidates running across the state of Washington — all of whom appear on the same August 4 top-two primary ballot.
Because of the compressed timeline before Washington’s primary, IVA is endorsing all four leaders together. In Washington’s top-two system, there are no separate party primaries — every candidate, Democrat, Republican, and independent, shares one August ballot, and only the two highest finishers advance to November. For an independent, that changes everything: there is no quietly petitioning onto the fall ballot. You have to earn a top-two spot on August 4.
All four of these races sit inside Washington’s 5th Congressional District — Eastern Washington — and three of them center on Spokane. Together, that represents a powerful veteran and independent electorate: WA-05 alone is home to more than 58,000 veterans and an estimated 299,000 independent voters.
The Four Endorsed Independent Veterans
Nate Powell — U.S. House, WA-05
A Marine Corps veteran and working-class champion from Spokane, Nate Powell is running for Congress to put working people back where they belong. Only 2% of Congress comes from the working class, and the share of veterans in Congress has collapsed from 70% in the 1970s to 18% today. Powell has earned the endorsement of the Working Class Heroes Fund, multiple IAFF firefighter locals, and the Spokane Regional Labor Council — which has recommended him for endorsement to the Washington State Labor Council. His opponents include an incumbent with no military service.
Danny Tarkenton — Spokane County Prosecuting Attorney
An Army veteran and Spokane native with a master’s degree in forensic psychology, Danny Tarkenton is running to change the way justice is delivered in Spokane County — moving from a system that punishes without understanding to one that breaks cycles. She launched her campaign on April 1, 2026, and has already earned endorsements from three Spokane-area elected officials. She is the only veteran in her race; both of her opponents are Republicans with no known military service.
Aaron Croft — Washington State House, Legislative District 6
A nearly 22-year Air Force veteran, Aaron Croft led small teams in combat, managed major budgets, and advised leaders from the Presidential to the parliamentary level. He is running for the Washington State House to give Eastern Washington genuine, bipartisan representation focused on fixing healthcare, reducing the cost of living, and helping local businesses compete — instead of the partisan gridlock that has left the region behind.
Ronald McCoy — Washington State Senate, Legislative District 7
A Navy veteran running for the Washington State Senate in Legislative District 7, Ronald McCoy joins this slate of independent leaders stepping up to serve Eastern Washington on the August 4 ballot. He’s running to preserve the rural way of life while focusing on next generation job creation and opportunities for small business development.
“On August 4, Eastern Washington is the key focal point for our national movement. Next week will show the power and dynamism of independent veterans–and how Washington is leading the way. We have a chance to send four of our own to the November ballot. These are tested, truly independent leaders who answer to their communities, not to party bosses. The people (and especially veterans and independents) in Eastern Washington have a chance to send four unifying and experienced leaders to the November ballot.”
— IVA Founder and CEO Paul Rieckhoff
“Independent Veterans of America is very proud to endorse this slate of four independent veterans in Eastern Washington. In this time of war, division, turmoil, corruption and partisan failure, these independent veterans represent hope for the people of Spokane and Eastern Washington, for veterans, and for all Americans. They represent a game changing threat to both the Democrat and Republican parties and our country’s badly broken, hyper-partisan political system. They are impressive, committed and serious leaders who are uniting people of all backgrounds across their communities. They are strong, moderate and reasonable leaders who represent the best of America, their region, and the independent movement.”
— IVA Founder and CEO Paul Rieckhoff
Why Eastern Washington — and Why Now
Eastern Washington is home to tens of thousands of veterans and hundreds of thousands of independent voters. On August 4, those blocs decide who advances. IVA is endorsing this slate together to concentrate the energy, resources, and attention of the independent veterans movement on a single ballot, on a single day, in a region where independents and veterans can genuinely determine the outcome.
These four leaders are part of an IVA plan to recruit, support, train and elect 100 independent veterans nationwide in 2026 — a movement of leaders who want to continue to serve, unite all Americans, reject both broken parties, and make history.
Washington is an example for the nation for what a fair and open election looks like. Washington is one of only 24 states that have a truly open primary system that treats independents like equals. It’s an example that every state in America should follow. Especially the 16 states that have totally closed primaries locking out millions in the process. And the 4 million independent men and women who stood up and fought for their country but are excluded from their right to participate.
About the Independent Movement
Independents are the future of American politics. And independent veterans are leading that future.
- 45% 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.
Rieckhoff added, “Our endorsed independent veteran leaders 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 continuing to introduce these bold leaders to America and to galvanizing support to help them win and make history. These leaders are the groundbreaking next 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.”
From now until August 4, IVA will organize and deploy resources aggressively to help all four of these independent veterans finish in the top two and advance to November. On the airwaves, online and on the ground, IVA will add powerful reinforcements to help carry these campaigns forward.
IVA is also still accepting applications for endorsement for the pivotal 2026 elections on the IVA website endorsement page now.
About IVA
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 Yemi Mobolade, Independent Mayor of Chattanooga Tim Kelly, 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.
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