Before Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ended his long-shot, independent bid for president last week, he beat expectations in his state-by-state battle to access ballots and left some voters intrigued about looking beyond the two-party system.
Increasing hostility between Democrats and Republicans in the lead-up to the 2024 election created an opening for unaffiliated or independent candidates, the Pew Research Center reported. Iraq War veteran Paul Rieckhoff seized on that moment, launching Independent Veterans of America earlier this summer.
Twenty years ago, Rieckhoff founded Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, one of the largest organizations of post-9/11 veterans in the United States. Now, he’s looking to harness the recent interest in unaffiliated candidates by encouraging independent veterans to run for office.
While independents aren’t likely to win many spots this year — in the race for president or in other national, state and local elections — Rieckhoff is taking a long view, with his new group aiming to propel unaffiliated candidates onto ballots and someday spark a movement in which independents gain more votes.
“Independents can win. It’s possible this year, at the local level, undoubtedly,” Rieckhoff said. “And in the future, we’re trying to create an America where independents can win at every level, where people vote on the candidate and not just on the party.”
Read the rest of the article here.
Every dollar goes straight into the fight — helping independent vets be seen, get traction, and win.
Donate to IVA