IVA Opens 2025 Endorsement Applications

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

CONTACT: Press@IndependentVeteransOfAmerica.org

IVA Opens 2025 Endorsement Applications

Independent Veteran Candidates For All Levels of Office for 2025 and 2026 Elections are Encouraged to Apply

NEW YORK, September 24, 2025: Today, as America’s dysfunctional, dangerous and partisan political environment continues to dominate national news and divide our nation, Independent Veterans of America (IVA) opened the 2025 endorsement application process to independent veteran candidates for elected office at any level nationwide for elections in 2025 and 2026.

IVA is the first and only organization focused specifically on recruiting and electing independent and unaffiliated veteran candidates and incumbents. All details about IVA can now be found and candidates can apply at www.IndependentVeteransOfAmerica.org.

After launching on Independence Day (July 4th) last year, generating strong national media coverage, jumpstarting a national conversation, and endorsing 11 dynamic and impressive candidates in 2025 (and seeing 4 elected), IVA’s bold 50-state outreach plan is finding, recruiting, engaging and training even more independent veterans to lead at the local, state and federal level, support independent reform, and inspire their communities to come together and put country over party.

IVA will consider endorsing independent veteran candidates at all levels — from local school boards to the US Senate. IVA is not supporting or affiliated with any party or candidate for President.

For the independent veteran leaders that earn our endorsement, IVA will support them in a variety of ways to include:

Galvanizing a community of independent veterans and allies nationwide to add support nationally and locally
Support for their candidacy through strategy, branding, media and technology training
Leadership training and media opportunities to elevate their campaign
Connecting them with a network of IVA candidates who have run as independents before
Providing free innovative online campaign-in-a-box resources designed specifically for IVA candidates–powered by cutting-edge AI
Delivering voter files and other vital intel that is costly to get on their own
Cutting-edge research and insights revealing opportunities and threats unique to independent vets
Support and mentorship from our highly respected and diverse group of IVA advisors
Funding to win (where permissible by local election law)

IVA Founder and CEO Paul Rieckhoff commented, “America is facing an unprecedented political crisis. American voters of all backgrounds are disgusted and dissapointed by the partisan leaders and toxicity they see every day. All Americans are desperately looking for strong, independent, unifying leaders that they can trust. Independent veterans are the leaders our country is looking for in this pivotal moment. And we are laser-focused on finding, elevating and electing them.

The future of American politics is not Democrat or Republican. The future of American politics is independent.

More and more Americans are leaving the broken and corrupt political parties by the day. Every day, 10,000 Americans leave the Republican and Democrat parties. We independents and unaffiliateds are now the largest voting group in America.

And the future of independents is being led by veterans who are bravely stepping up to serve again from California to Nebraska to Mississippi to Maine.

IVA is proud to announce that our 2025 endorsement process is now open and we invite independent veteran candidates at any level of elected officials to apply for IVA endorsement by October 1.

We look forward to meeting more dynamic, driven and patriotic independent veteran candidates from all across America that illustrate the power and diversity of our movement.

Next month, after a rigorous vetting process, IVA will announce them, unite them and engage our community and all Americans to help them win. Together, we will elevate a new generation of independent leaders, disrupt the status quo, and inspire America at a time that so badly requires it.

America is crying out for heroes to answer the call to serve and help. IVA’s men and women are ready to meet this moment, step into the breach, and answer the call.

Independents are the future of American politics. And next month, we’ll introduce the men and women that are leading that charge.”

A record 51% 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 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.

IVA will release our first endorsements in the first week of October in advance of debates nationwide and the opening of early voting.

After Election Day, on Veterans Day (11/11), IVA will again unite 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.

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. Led by and built around the unique power and potential of veterans, IVA will grow, deploy and elect 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 and join IVA.

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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.

Learn more at www.IndependentVeteransOfAmerica.org