94% of Americans say We Can do Better

Our July surveys across five key 2026 races tell one story: voters are done with business as usual — in every district we polled, 94–95% said Washington "can do better."

In California's 6th, Independent Kevin Kiley sits at 35%, within four points of Democrat Richard Pan. In the Montana Senate race, Independent Seth Bodnar polls 24% — ahead of the Democrat and in clear second place. In Alaska, ranked-choice voting is the Independent's friend: Bill Hill is the second choice of 59% of voters. In Iowa's 1st, 55% want a representative who won't caucus with either party — a wide-open lane even as Independent Michael Bridgford introduces himself at 11%. And in Washington's 1st, 83% of voters view a politician who works both sides of the aisle favorably — the highest mark in the survey.

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 – Inside Joe Manchin's new quest to elect more Independents to Congress

NPR · July 27, 2026 

Joe and Heather Manchin have launched the Independent Leadership Council — merging Americans Together and the Independent Center — to recruit, fund, and elect independent congressional candidates. At a Greenbrier retreat, eight candidates met with donors, with senior advisers citing "eight figures" in fundraising commitments already secured. A key goal: candidates who win must stay unaffiliated once in office rather than caucusing with either party.

2 – Joe Manchin reenters the political orbit with a new independent experiment

CNN · July 24, 2026 

At 78, Joe Manchin is stepping back into politics. A year and a half after leaving office fed up with the major parties, the former West Virginia senator is launching a new effort, the Independent Leadership Council, to recruit and support independent candidates across the country.

3 – Ballad turns in 74,000 signatures in independent secretary of state bid

WISH-TV · June 30, 2026 

Former Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard submitted roughly 74,000 signatures — about double the ~37,000 required — to qualify as an independent candidate for Indiana Secretary of State under his newly formed Lincoln Party. County clerks must still verify the signatures. If Ballard wins at least 2% of the vote in November, the Lincoln Party would gain automatic ballot access in future elections.

4 – Manchin launches council to elect independents

SEMAFOR · July 24, 2026 

Joe Manchin is launching the Independent Leadership Council, merging Heather Manchin's Americans Together with Adam Brandon's Independent PAC to fund independent congressional candidates in competitive races this cycle — including Kevin Kiley (CA) and Bill Hill (AK). Manchin calls it "not a third party" but a centrist movement; candidates were set to meet donors in West Virginia that weekend.

5 – EXCLUSIVE: Independent group tests DelBene’s seat

SEMAFOR · July 28, 2026 

New Independent Center polling shows non-affiliated candidates gaining traction in five races — including Washington's 1st, held by Democrats' campaign chief Suzan DelBene, where 78% of voters disapprove of Congress. Independent candidates are polling competitively in Montana, California, and Alaska too, riding a wave of anti-incumbent sentiment — though the path to actually winning (and staying unaffiliated once in office) remains steep.

6 – What Is Joe Manchin’s New Independent Leadership Council?

TIME · July 24, 2026 

Manchin's new Independent Leadership Council, run with daughter Heather, will recruit and back independent congressional candidates — starting with Rep. Kevin Kiley. Not a third party, Manchin says, just candidates free to vote either side "when they're right." Comes as both parties poll at record lows and independent ID hits 45%.

7 – Ex-Democrat Manchin launches campaign backing independent candidates

The National News Desk · July 24, 2026 

Joe and Heather Manchin kicked off the Independent Leadership Council, meeting with candidates like Kevin Kiley, Michael Bridgford, and Seth Bodnar. Manchin argues even a few independents could force gridlocked Congress to "get their act together" — but the group faces headwinds, with Democrats holding an 11-point generic-ballot lead heading into the midterms.

Voting Reform & Independent Voters

1 - It’s time for Iowa to consider open primaries for all voters

The Gazette · July 26, 2026 

An Iowa reader letter argues that Iowa's closed primaries — which bar independent and no-party voters from participating unless they temporarily switch party registration — are likely suppressing primary turnout, and calls for opening primaries to all registered voters regardless of party.

2 - Voters Want Progress. The Parties Want Control

The Fulcrum · July 31, 2026 

Closed primaries are pushing voters to fake their party ID just to have a say. New polling: 39% of registered NYC Democrats aren't actually Democrats — they just want primary access. Same story in South Dakota's governor runoff. Open Primaries' John Opdycke says the "purity" argument backfires completely.

3 - Ranked-choice voting in Wisconsin primaries could boost candidates with broader appeal, experts say

The Badger Project · July 24, 2026 

Wisconsin's crowded, chaotic Democratic governor primary — where the frontrunner dropped out over cash discrepancies and polling shows the primary leader barely competitive in November — has experts asking whether ranked-choice voting could produce a stronger general-election nominee. Alaska's experience suggests it can moderate outcomes, but critics call it confusing, and any change would require new state law.

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.