FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Press@IndependentVeteransOfAmerica.org
Two years after Ridgecrest elected an independent veteran mayor, a Navy veteran is running to carry that work forward — and the mayor who started it is joining IVA’s Advisory Board.
NEW YORK, September 15, 2026: In 2024, Ridgecrest, California elected an independent veteran mayor — one of the first candidates Independent Veterans of America ever endorsed, and one of the first to win. Today, Independent Veterans of America (IVA) is proud to announce the endorsement of independent Navy veteran Jeremy Vaughan, running for Mayor of Ridgecrest, California.
Jeremy Vaughan is part of our new 2026 round of endorsed candidates for offices of all levels nationwide.
All IVA-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.
Jeremy Vaughan is part of an IVA plan to recruit, support, train and elect 100 independent veterans nationwide in 2026.
From the US Senate to local school board, we’ve found an incredible cohort of leaders who want to continue to serve, unite all Americans, reject both broken parties and make history.
IVA conducted a rigorous review process and is proud to announce that Jeremy Vaughan is part of a dynamic wave of leaders who represents the values and spirit of IVA — and the best of America.
About Jeremy Vaughan
Jeremy Vaughan is a Navy veteran running for Mayor of Ridgecrest, California. The general election is November 3, 2026.
Ridgecrest is a Navy town in the middle of something real. Roads and parks are improving. Schools are being rebuilt. Healthcare services are growing. The Sgt. John Pinney Aquatics Center is rising out of the ground. Local businesses are investing.
None of that happens by accident, and none of it is guaranteed to continue.
Jeremy has spent his life serving, leading through hard problems, and bringing people together around a mission. He is running to put that to work at home — leadership that listens, makes responsible decisions, and stays focused on getting the right result. He is not running against his city’s progress. He is running to protect it, and to answer to the people of Ridgecrest rather than to a party.
“Ridgecrest is rising, and I’m running for Mayor because I believe our best years can still be ahead of us. A city under construction is a city that believes in its future.”
— Jeremy Vaughan
“Independent Veterans of America is very proud to endorse independent Navy veteran Jeremy Vaughan for Mayor of Ridgecrest, California. Ridgecrest has already shown America what an independent veteran in city hall can do, and Jeremy Vaughan is running to carry that work forward. He is not running against his city’s progress. He is running to protect it, and to answer to the people of Ridgecrest rather than to a party. That is the whole model in one city. Win. Deliver. Then reach back and bring the next one forward.”
— IVA Founder and CEO Paul Rieckhoff
Mayor Travis Endicott Joins the IVA Advisory Board
There is more news out of Ridgecrest. Mayor Travis Endicott — the Navy veteran who won that office in 2024 as one of IVA’s first endorsed candidates, and one of four who won that cycle — is joining the IVA Advisory Board.
He joins Admiral Mike Mullen, Bonnie Carroll, Ken Burns, Andrew Yang, Michael Smerconish, Sebastian Junger, Rocky Bleier, Mayor Yemi Mobolade, John Opdycke, and Yinka Faleti.
Mayor Endicott brings something no one else on that board can: he is an independent veteran who ran, won, and governed. The progress happening in Ridgecrest right now happened on his watch.
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.
From now until Election Day, IVA will organize and deploy resources aggressively to help Jeremy Vaughan and at least 99 other independent veterans win. On the airwaves, online and on the ground, IVA will add powerful reinforcements to help carry these candidates 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 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.
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
Every dollar goes straight into the fight — helping independent vets be seen, get traction, and win.
Donate to IVA