PRESS RELEASE: As Democrats Gather in Chicago, IVA Opens 2024 Endorsement Applications 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

CONTACT: Press@IndependentVeteransOfAmerica.org 

As Democrats Gather in Chicago, IVA Opens 2024 Endorsement Applications 

 Independent Veteran Candidates For All Levels of Elected Office are Encouraged to Apply 

NEW YORK, August 20, 2024: Today, as the second of the two major parties in America’s dysfunctional and partisan political duopoly dominated national news with their convention, Independent Veterans of America (IVA) opened the 2024 endorsement application process to independent veteran candidates for elected office at any level nationwide. 

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 online at www.IndependentVeteransOfAmerica.org.

After launching last month on Independence Day (July 4th) and generating strong national media coverage, IVA’s 50-state outreach plan is finding, recruiting, engaging and training 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 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 media and technology training
• Leadership and media opportunities to elevate their campaign 
• An invitation to speak to IVA’s First Annual Candidate Convention on 9/11 in NYC
• 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
• Funding to win

IVA Founder and CEO Paul Rieckhoff commented, “2024 is the year of the independent voter and especially, the independent veteran. Today, IVA is proud to announce that our 2024 endorsement process is now open and we invite independent candidates at any level to apply for IVA endorsement by August 31. We look forward to meeting dynamic, driven and patriotic independent candidates from all across America that illustrate the powers and diversity of our movement. Next month, we will highlight them, unite them and engage our community to help them win. Together, we will elevate a new generation of leaders, disrupt the status quo and inspire America. Independents are the future of American politics. And next month, we’ll introduce the men and women that are leading that charge.”

“Independent veterans uniquely appreciate and defend our core American values. Independent veterans live country over party. And we are uniquely powerful and appealing to voters of all backgrounds. We look out for and support each other. IVA is looking for leaders that are ready to step up to serve our country again in this time of need.”

• A record 49% 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. 

IVA will release our first endorsements in the first week of September in advance of the first Presidential debate between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. 

IVA will also host an event in New York City on the evening of 9/11 to highlight our newly-endorsed candidates and give our members and supporters an opportunity to meet them and help them win. 9/11 is always a unique day of national unity. IVA candidates will speak to and embody the spirit of 9/11. And they will demonstrate unity, patriotism and strong American leadership that is ready to meet this moment now. Details for that event will be released next week. 

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