#40 - Why We Need Independents Now More Than Ever

Our elected officials are nowhere to be seen.

Author

Holden Lipscomb
October 30, 2025

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#40 - Why We Need Independents Now More Than Ever

Our elected officials are nowhere to be seen.

The Rundown

  • Join our Virtual Q+A Session: Join us for an “Ask Indies Anything” session on 11/5 from 1-2pmET by clicking the link here.

  • Speak out Against Gerrymandering: With the government still shutdown, we’re still waiting to reschedule. Reach out to [email protected] and we’ll be in touch with a date/time and additional information.

  • One Year Out from the Midterms: With the midterms just one year away, a donation of just $25 helps us reach more Americans, host more events, and build a stronger independent movement.

Why We Need Independent Voices Now More Than Ever

Hi Friends,

Inflation continues to rise, and Washington isn’t just failing to act—it’s not even open. With the government shutdown dragging on, Americans are left wondering who’s looking out for them.

Meanwhile, many members of Congress are avoiding town halls, dodging opportunities to hear directly from the people they represent. In some states, they’re even manipulating redistricting processes to choose their voters instead of the other way around.

Add to that a primary system that rewards the most extreme candidates and locks in their victories in all but a handful of competitive districts. The result? Everyday Americans—people like you and me—are left without candidates who reflect our values. It’s no surprise that so many are disengaging from politics altogether.

But change is possible.

In just over a year, the U.S. will hold midterm elections. We want the choices on the ballot to look radically different from what we’re seeing now. That starts with getting normal people back into politics—not just as voters, but as candidates.

We also want to hear from you. What do you want to see next November? What’s working in politics right now—and what’s not?

Join us next Wednesday, November 5 from 1-2pmET, for a virtual Ask Indies Anything session. It’s your chance to share your thoughts, ask questions, and help shape the future of independent politics.

To join the call, click the link here.

I hope to see you there!

Lura

There’s never been a better time to get involved!

IC Engaged

On October 22, Adam Brandon, senior advisor at The Independent Center, joined the Tisch College Civic Life Lunch Series to discuss the growing influence of independent voters and the potential shift away from America’s traditional two-party system.

Brandon shared his vision for mobilizing voters around alternative candidates and emphasized the role of younger generations in reshaping the political landscape. The conversation was moderated by Leela Strong, Newhouse Director of Tisch College’s Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE).

  • Dallas Morning News Op Ed: Independent voters can make gerrymandering irrelevant

    By: Adam Brandon

  • Real Clear Politics Op Ed: The Parties Know They’re Losing. That’s Why They’re Redrawing Districts.

    By: Lura Forcum and Brett Loyd

Video Feature: Paycheck to Paycheck

Political Discussions Trending on Reddit This Week

• Discourse is dominated by intense, negative reactions to Donald Trump's actions, particularly his controversial White House renovations and use of executive power.

• Widespread economic anxiety is a major theme, focusing on affordability crises (cars), national debt, and the stability of social safety nets like SNAP.

• There is a growing and explicit fear of democratic erosion and political instability, with discussions about potential civil war gaining significant traction.

• A deep ideological divide exists in perceived threats: left/center spaces focus on Trump and civil rights, while right-leaning libertarian spaces focus on the Federal Reserve and government overreach.

Independent Minds Book Club: Tribalism is Dumb by Andrew Heaton

We’re excited to announce our next pick for the Independent Minds Book Club! We’ll be joined by comedian, author, and political satirist Andrew Heaton for a conversation on his recent book!

The discussion will occur in early December. Date/time will be announced at a later date.

We’re also excited to announce that we’ll be purchasing the book for the first 10 people that reach out!

Reach out to Holden Lipscomb ([email protected]) if you’d like to join.

The Independent Center is the go-to organization for information, research, and engagement with independent voters, who now make up the plurality of the electorate.

We represent those who are fed up with partisan politics and feel politically homeless. We believe the future is not red or blue; it’s fiscally responsible, socially inclusive, and free to choose the best options for ourselves, our families, and our communities.