Press Release: Independent Veterans of America (IVA) Launches

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

CONTACT: Press@IndependentVeteransOfAmerica.org

Independent Veterans of America Launches Ahead of July 4th

Paul Rieckhoff Announces Groundbreaking New Effort to Organize and Elect Independent Veterans to Political Office Nationwide

Admiral Mike Mullen, Mayor Yemi Mobolade, Sebastian Junger, Michael Smerconish, Former Phoenix Mayor Paul Johnson, Bonnie Carroll, Eric Bronner, John Opdycke, Andrew Yang and others serve on the advisory committee

NEW YORK, July 2, 2024: Today, in the wake of a catastrophic and nationally demoralizing presidential debate last week, and in advance of July 4th, Independent Veterans of America (IVA) announced its formation with an urgent mission to organize and elect independent veterans to public office across America.

The organization is the first in American history to focus specifically on recruiting and electing independent and unaffiliated veteran candidates and incumbents. As of today, all details about IVA can now be found online at www.IndependentVeteransOfAmerica.org.

Launching the week of Independence Day, IVA also announced a summer-long “Independents’ Month” campaign to recruit independent veteran leaders–and to encourage those registered with the Democratic, Republican, Libertarian Party and any other party to “declare their independence”, put our country ahead of any party, and join IVA.

IVA will support independent veteran candidates at all levels — from local school boards to the US Senate.

There are more than 18 million veterans in America. And 49% of them 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.
They 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.
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.

For the independent vets that are ready to step up and run for office, IVA will support endorsed candidates in a variety of ways to include:

Galvanizing a community of independent veterans and allies nationwide to add vital support nationally and locally
Providing free innovative online campaign-in-a-box resources from GoodParty.org 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
Support for their candidacy through media and technology training
Leadership and media opportunities to elevate their campaign
An opportunity to apply for IVA endorsement in the 2024 election cycle
Funding for endorsed independent veteran candidates

IVA will announce its 2024 endorsed candidates in late summer and host the First Annual IVA Convention around September 11 in NYC. At that event, IVA will unite and amplify our inspiring 2024 IVA endorsed candidates from all across America. Throughout the fall, IVA will help them win.

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.

Paul Rieckhoff created the vision for IVA and will serve as CEO. He is a renowned social entrepreneur, author, politics and national security analyst for NewsNation, MSNBC, CNN and others, Founder of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Co-Founder of American Veterans for Ukraine, longtime host of the Independent Americans podcast, and a leading voice from the American veteran community for more than 20 years.

“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 this Independence Day,” Rieckhoff said.

“Especially after the abysmal recent presidential debate, Americans are disgusted and exhausted by the two parties and by the same, old, partisan candidates. America is hungry for new leadership with independence, integrity and experience. Independent Veterans of America will provide a new generation of political leaders who are ready to challenge the duopoly, put country over party, and meet this incredibly challenging moment.”

“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 are ready to step up to serve our country again in this time of need,” added Rieckhoff.

Rieckhoff continued, “IVA will be the ground game that ensures victory for independent vets. And the courageous spark that inspires the movement. They no longer have to fight alone. This is a movement that will also launch our first wave of independent veteran candidates for office in 2024, with waves to follow every two years thereafter. IVA is the cavalry the independent movement has been waiting for. And the leaders America needs now.”

Watch the IVA launch video here.

The video voiceover reads:

Since the beginning of our country’s history,

brave men and women have stepped forward when called on to lead.

When others ran away, they ran into the fire.

They have helped to shape our great nation.

Now in this time of turmoil and chaos, it is time for them to serve once again.

To put country first and to use their experience to help save our democracy.

They have been trained to lead in times of war.

Now it is time to use that training to lead us in peace.

Leaders aren’t born. They’re forged.

Leave the herds join the pack at Independent Veterans of America dot org.

Rieckhoff and other IVA leaders will be available to the media throughout the week of July 4th and the entire month of July.

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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