FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Press@IndependentVeteransOfAmerica.org
A Marine Corps veteran running for Congress in Virginia on a direct argument: members who owe their seats to party money stop doing the job.
NEW YORK, September 22, 2026: Matt Baker served in the Marine Corps. Now he is running for Congress in Virginia on a simple conviction — that a member who owes the party cannot fully answer to the people. Today, Independent Veterans of America (IVA) is proud to announce the endorsement of independent Marine Corps veteran Matt Baker, running for the U.S. House of Representatives in Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District.
Matt Baker 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.
Matt Baker 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 Matt Baker is part of a dynamic wave of leaders who represents the values and spirit of IVA — and the best of America.
About Matt Baker
Matt Baker is a Marine Corps veteran from Norfolk, Virginia, running as an independent for Congress in Virginia’s 2nd District. The general election is November 3, 2026.
His case is about what the party system does to the people inside it.
“Party candidates have chosen to be part of a system that silences them. They fear that if they cross the party, they will lose the money and their election. That fear has produced an abdication of Congress’s most basic duties to legislate, to negotiate and to find a better compromise.”
— Matt Baker
Baker points to the national debt — which by his count has grown to $40 trillion over the last 36 years, under both parties — as the clearest result of that system. His answer: “It is time to make the people and the country, not the party, the priority.”
“Independent Veterans of America is very proud to endorse independent Marine Corps veteran Matt Baker for Congress in Virginia. Virginia is a veterans’ state, and some of those veterans are stepping up right now to run and to lead. Not as Republicans. Not as Democrats. Veterans know what it is to be handed a hard moment and told to meet it. Matt Baker is doing it again — on his own terms, with no party standing behind him.”
— IVA Founder and CEO Paul Rieckhoff
The Race
Matt Baker is on the November 3, 2026 general election ballot for Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District, where incumbent Republican Jennifer Kiggans faces Democrat Elaine Luria in a rematch of their 2022 race.
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 Matt Baker 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