FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Press@IndependentVeteransOfAmerica.org
Sarah Zabel, running for U.S. House from Idaho’s 1st District, is the highest-ranked officer in IVA’s entire 2026 endorsed class
NEW YORK, June 30, 2026: Today, Independent Veterans of America (IVA) is proud to announce the endorsement of independent veteran candidate Major General Sarah Zabel (Ret.), running for the office of U.S. House of Representatives, Idaho’s 1st Congressional District.
Zabel is part of our new 2026 round of endorsed candidates for offices of all levels nationwide — and she carries the highest military rank of anyone in this year’s class.
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.
Sarah Zabel 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 men and women 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 Sarah Zabel is part of a dynamic wave of leaders who represents the values and spirit of IVA — and the best of America.
A Career of Command
Major General Sarah E. Zabel (Ret.) is the highest-ranked officer in IVA’s entire 2026 endorsed class.
A 1987 Distinguished Graduate of the United States Air Force Academy with a degree in Computer Science, Zabel built a 30-year career in the Air Force’s communications and cyber field — one of the service’s most technically demanding disciplines.
She commanded at the squadron, group, and wing level: the 43rd Communications Squadron at Pope Air Force Base, the 9th Mission Support Group at Beale Air Force Base, and the 75th Air Base Wing at Hill Air Force Base. She served on the Joint Staff, at two combatant commands, and as an instructor at her alma mater, the Air Force Academy.
In her final assignments, Zabel served as Vice Director of the Defense Information Systems Agency — a global organization of 16,000 military, civilian, and contract personnel responsible for command, control, and communications capabilities in direct support of the President, the Secretary of Defense, and the Joint Chiefs of Staff — before leading information technology acquisition process development for the Air Force.
She was promoted to Brigadier General in 2013 and to Major General in 2015. Her decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, and the Bronze Star Medal.
That is the caliber of leadership Sarah Zabel is bringing home to Idaho.
About Idaho’s 1st District
Idaho’s 1st Congressional District has a congressman. It doesn’t have representation.
He votes against Idaho’s interests on tariffs. He’s gone silent on the wars dragging on overseas. He’s done nothing on healthcare. And he answers to party leadership in Washington — not the people back home.
Sarah Zabel is running to change that — and she is the only veteran in the race. Neither her Republican nor her Democratic opponent has served a day in uniform.
She has staff on the ground, the endorsement of Veterans for Idaho Voters, and a message resonating from Coeur d’Alene to the Montana border: Idaho deserves a representative who answers to Idahoans, not party bosses.
“Idaho is not represented in Congress. Our representative works for the party bosses, not for us. He votes against Idaho’s interests and fails to act on issues affecting Idahoans — like tariffs, the ongoing wars, meaningful health care reform, and veterans issues.”
— Major General Sarah Zabel (Ret.)
“Independent Veterans of America is very proud to endorse independent Air Force veteran Major General Sarah Zabel for U.S. House from Idaho’s 1st District. In this time of war, division, turmoil, corruption and partisan failure, independent veteran Sarah Zabel represents hope for Idahoans, for veterans, and for all Americans. She also represents a game changing threat to both the Democrat and Republican parties and our country’s badly broken, hyper-partisan political system. She is an impressive, committed and serious leader that is uniting people of all backgrounds across Idaho. She is the highest-ranked officer in our entire 2026 class of endorsed candidates — a two-star general who led a 16,000-person global defense agency and now wants to bring that same discipline and integrity to Congress.”
— IVA Founder and CEO Paul Rieckhoff
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 in November 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 Election Day, IVA will organize and deploy resources aggressively to help Sarah Zabel 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.
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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.
Every dollar goes straight into the fight — helping independent vets be seen, get traction, and win.
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