Independent Veterans of America Announces Additional 2025 Candidate Endorsements

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

CONTACT: Press@IndependentVeteransOfAmerica.org

Independent Veteran Leaders Named in Elections in North Carolina and Virginia

NEW YORK, October 31, 2025: Today, in advance of next week’s elections, Independent Veterans of America (IVA) is proud to announce two late comers to our 2025 independent veteran candidate endorsements.

This latest 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.

Independent Veterans of America (IVA) proudly endorses two principled, independent veteran leaders—Kathy Greggs of Fayetteville, North Carolina, and Carlos De Castro Pretelt of Arlington, Virginia—for their courageous bids for public office in 2025. Both embody the IVA ethos of country over party, standing as beacons of what it means to leave the herds and run with the pack, ready to deliver bold change where old politics has failed.

Spotlight on Kathy Greggs, Fayetteville, NC

Kathy Greggs is a U.S. Army combat veteran, seasoned servant leader, and relentless champion for justice, inclusion, and transparency in her community. With over 25 years of boots-on-the-ground leadership and 17 years of federal civil service, Kathy is a powerhouse of integrity and impact. She stands for environmental justice, smart infrastructure, real transparency, and an unwavering commitment to veterans’ issues. She refuses to be controlled by party bosses or corporate donors—Kathy stands tall as a true independent, determined to empower new leaders and ensure every vote counts. Her call: “It’s time to break the cycle of hypocrisy.”

Spotlight on Carlos De Castro Pretelt, Arlington, VA

Retired Army and Air Force leader Carlos De Castro Pretelt is running for the Arlington County Board to shake up the broken status quo. Carlos champions open primaries, ranked choice voting, expanded housing, and transparent governance—rejecting politics-as-usual for real, community-focused solutions. He leads a people-powered campaign that’s as independent as it is determined. Carlos is proof that real leadership means standing up for bold reform. “No party owns solutions—or the soul of America,” he affirms. Carlos is forging a blueprint for a new era of American leadership and inviting all to join his charge.

Why IVA Endorses These Leaders

Both Greggs and De Castro Pretelt represent the next wave of independent, veteran leadership America needs today.
Each candidate rejects partisan division, instead putting country and service first.
IVA backs their commitment to open primaries, honest governance, community empowerment, and the core American values that have long united veterans.

“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.