FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT: Press@IndependentVeteransOfAmerica.org
Dan Osborn in Nebraska Outperforms Any Independent for Senate in Recent History
Travis Endicott is Elected Mayor of Ridgecrest, California
Craig Evenson Elected in South Dakota for Deuel County States Attorney
Luke Shaffer Elected in California for Encinitas City Council
Jason Taylor Elected to Learning Community Coordinating Council, Nebraska’s District #6
In Inaugural Year, 11 IVA Endorsed Candidates Overperform Nationwide in Florida, North Carolina, South Dakota, Nebraska, California
Independent Vets Compete Locally Where Partisan Democrats and Republicans Couldn’t
New York, NY – November 6, 2024 Five days before Veterans Day, and just months after their Independence Day 2024 founding, Independent Veterans of America (IVA) celebrated a historic performance by eleven IVA-endorsed candidates in five states. The new independent veterans movement led by these patriotic leaders is a powerful, positive and inspiring good news story coming out of the most divisive election in our history.
Led by a tremendous showing by independent Navy Veteran for US Senate in Nebraska Dan Osborn, and wins by Navy Veteran Travis Endicott for Mayor of Ridgecrest, California, Army Vet Craig Evenson in South Dakota for Deuel County States Attorney, Marine Corps Veteran Luke Shaffer for Encinitas City Council in California and Air Force Veteran Jason Taylor was elected to Learning Community Coordinating Council for Nebraska’s 6th District.
Also of note, Nick Batter, Independent Army Veteran candidate for Nebraska State Legislature, District #13 in Omaha, Nebraska is trailing by only 41 votes and awaiting the tallying of final mail in and provisional ballots to be counted before his race can be decided.
Other IVA-endorsed candidates strongly over performed and are still in contention. Eric Faulkner, Navy Independent Veteran candidate for Temecula City Council, District #2 in Temecula, California trails by a mere 307 votes with the outstanding ballots expected to be counted over the next week and a half.
This result follows a historic six-figure 2024 commitment from IVA PAC that represented the largest investment ever made to support the election of independent veteran candidates. The investment fueled tough and patriotic direct mail, text, phone calls, outdoor, digital and CCTV outreach focused on moving all voters–with a particular focus on independents, veterans and active duty troops. That support fueled our wins and made many of our losses incredibly close.
Nebraska’s supportive political system, independent culture, history of independent reform, and deep pool of independent leaders made it a model for the rest of America in showing the potential and power of the independent veterans movement. The Cornhusker State showed what is possible for independent vets. These unique conditions drove IVA’s innovative investment in this election cycle. And showed what is possible in the future in states nationwide.
“Independent Veterans showed that we can compete, win, and overcome the odds to unite and inspire American voters of all backgrounds. The American public wants alternatives to the nasty partisanship and corrupt status quo. When people have an independent veteran option on the ballot, we can break through and win where the traditional candidates and parties can not.” IVA Founder and CEO Paul Rieckhoff stated.
“This courageous first wave of Independent Veterans of America candidates have shown what is possible for a new generation of independent leaders. They are the tip of the iceberg of a new generation of political leaders who challenge the duopoly, put country over party, and meet this incredibly challenging moment.
“We congratulate Travis, Luke, Craig and Jason on their historic victories. And we thank all our candidates nationwide for stepping up to lead, for blazing the path, and for running brave, respectful and selfless campaigns that will inspire our movement for decades to come. And we thank their families, their staffs and IVA members everywhere who stepped up to help. ”
“Veterans uniquely appreciate and defend our core American values. Independent veterans live country over party. We are uniquely powerful. We look out for and support each other. And we did that this election. We have shown all of America what it means to step up to serve our country again in this time of need. And 2024 is just the start. Next year, and in every election to come, all across America, we will be back stronger, bigger and better. There are over a dozen major Mayoral races happening nationwide–and we’ll be exploring fielding independent veteran candidates in all of them.” added Rieckhoff.
“IVA has now established that we are the ground game that ensures victory for independent vets. We have lit the courageous spark that is inspiring a movement. Independent vets no longer have to fight alone. This was the first wave of independent veteran candidates. And building our 2025 and 2026 waves starts now. If you woke up after this election motivated to give it a shot, this is your time. If you are interested in running for office as an independent veteran, contact us and let’s get to work. You are the future and we are the fuel. And if you are interested in supporting independent veterans, we need you too. This is a movement that is growing by the day. We encourage all Americans to leave the herds of the two parties, and join the independent veterans pack. Let’s get to work!”
You can find the full list of results for all IVA-endorsed independent veteran candidates below:
As Veterans Day (11/11) approaches next week, IVA is calling on all veterans to leave the herds and join the pack. And asking all Americans to stand with our vets and support them as candidates who will uphold all the values of the veterans movement. Especially around Veterans Day, IVA is uniting our community and all Americans to offer non-partisan hope for the future and continuing to build the independent veterans movement for decades of growth and impact.
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 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.
- 51% of all Americans now 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 55% of all veterans self-identify as independent or unaffiliated voters. And that number is rising by the day.
- A majority of veterans (and all Americans) 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 troops and post-9/11 veterans.
Admiral Mike Mullen, Mayor Yemi Mobolade, Author Sebastian Junger, TV and Radio Host Michael Smerconish, Filmmaker Ken Burns, Former Phoenix Mayor Paul Johnson, TAPS Founder Bonnie Carroll, Veterans for All Voters Co-Founders Eric Bronner and Yinka Faleti, Open Primaries Founder John Opdycke, Forward Party Founder Andrew Yang, Good Party.org COO Victoria Mitchell, Super Bowl Champion and Vietnam Veteran Rocky Bleier and others comprise a diverse and dynamic group of independent leaders and veterans serve on the IVA advisory committee.
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.
Leave the herds. Run with the 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.
Learn more at www.IndependentVeteransOfAmerica.org
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