$10 Million

That's how much the Independent Leadership Council (ILC) has raised since launching in July — proof that the appetite for a third way in Washington isn't just talk. The money's coming from a diverse background of Americans, all betting that a handful of true independents in a closely divided Congress could do more to break gridlock than either party's majority. ILC co-founder and Independent Center Senior Advisor Adam Brandon says they expect to double that number in the coming weeks as their first slate of candidates rolls out.

The two-party grip is loosening in several state races. Here are the stories this week featuring independent candidates making real moves on the ballot.

1 - Michael Bridgford: Independents in Congress would help get things done

Iowa Capital Dispatch · August 15, 2026 

At the Iowa State Fair Soapbox, independent House candidate Michael Bridgford declared his toss-up race "the most important district in this country" — arguing even a couple of independents could force votes on term limits and campaign finance reform. Running against Miller-Meeks (R) and Bohannan (D) in a seat decided by 800 votes last time, the Quad Cities businessman is self-funding and leaning into farm-crisis roots as he pitches affordability and agriculture fixes.

2 - Kiley capitalizes on independent rebrand with student coalition launch

State Affairs California · August 14, 2026 

Kevin Kiley launched a "Students for Kiley" youth coalition in Roseville, leaning into his independent rebrand ahead of November. He led the crowded June top-two primary in his gerrymandered 6th District (24.3%), but faces Democrat Richard Pan in a seat drawn to elect a Democrat — and Democratic candidates combined for over 55% of the primary vote, so winning youth turnout matters.

3 - Independent Bill Hill advances in race for Alaska’s GOP-held House seat 

The Hill · August 19, 2026 

Independent Bill Hill officially advanced past Alaska's open primary, setting up a two-way, ranked-choice race against Republican incumbent Nick Begich in November. Democrat Matt Schultz cleared the field for him earlier, and a recent poll has Hill within the margin of error (46-42), giving him real room to grow as name recognition catches up.

4 - Achilles says his campaign is on the rise

Moscow-Pullman Daily News · August 16, 2026 

Todd Achilles told Lewiston Tribune editors his campaign is picking up steam: over $1 million raised, internal polling showing a real shot, and now a clean 1-on-1 race against Risch since the Democrat dropped out. Risch still has $3.5 million on hand and has crushed his last three races (62-65%+), but Achilles is betting age (Risch is 83) and "what's he delivered?" cut through where party labels haven't.

Voting Reform & Independent Voters

1 – Kentucky’s Independent Voters Are Growing. Why Are They Still Shut Out?

The Fulcrum · August 30, 2026 

Kentucky's independents just outregistered Republicans and Democrats combined in July — yet it's the only Southern state still shutting them out of primaries. Open Primaries' Jeremy Gruber says parties don't even need a new law to fix it: a Supreme Court precedent already lets them open primaries on their own. His case: ignoring 11% of the electorate, and growing, is bad politics.

2 – NYC Keeps Silencing Independents. Now 1.2 Million Voters Are Building a Movement

IVN · August 28, 2026 

After NYC's latest open-primaries setback, Open Primaries' Jeremy Gruber says the real story is 1.2 million independent New Yorkers turning into an organized movement — teachers, veterans, immigrants showing up at Charter Revision hearings to ask why they're excluded from elections they help fund. Also in this week's roundup: Massachusetts' Question 3 for nonpartisan primaries, a Maryland lawsuit over closed primaries, and John Opdycke's case that 2026 is shaping up as a "Perot 2.0" moment for independents nationally.

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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.