A national magazine surveys the landscape — and finds independent veterans at the center of American politics.
The Nation published a sweeping look at the independent surge reshaping the 2026 midterms, and the story it tells is the story of this movement. State by state, the magazine documents fields consolidating behind independent challengers: Nebraska, where the state Democratic Party has embraced Dan Osborn’s head-to-head fight against a billionaire incumbent; South Dakota, where the field cleared for Brian Bengs; Alaska, where it cleared for independent Bill Hill; and Montana, where Seth Bodnar has drawn support from prominent Democrats in a race the whole country is watching.
The Nation’s analysis is blunt about what this means for the two-party system: candidates who answer to voters instead of party bosses are giving both parties headaches — and giving voters hope. When a mechanic can go toe-to-toe with a billionaire and party leaders conclude their best move is to get out of his way, the old rules are gone.
IVA has said since our founding on July 4th, 2024, that independents are the future of American politics and independent veterans are leading that future. Two years later, the national press is asking whether this is the year. We already know the answer. Now let’s go prove it.
Read the full story in The Nation.
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