Gallup just released a new poll with a striking finding: a record-high 45% of Americans now identify as independents—and that number continues to rise year after year.

Many of those independents are military veterans-almost half of whom are independent.

While the DC ecosphere downplays these trends, across the country, a new generation of serious, viable independent candidates is working to give voice to the growing number of voters who are out of sorts with the status quo. It’s hard! American politics is not designed for voters and candidates who don’t fit neatly into the two-party playbook. Independents get called “ spoilers” by journalists, partisans…even reformers!

But America’s veterans still command much credibility across divides. Can independent veterans help lead the way to something new?

For our first Primary Buzz of 2026, we’re introducing you to leaders on the front lines of this emerging conversation.

Paul Rieckhoff—America’s leading veterans advocate and Founder and former CEO of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA)—has launched Independent Veterans of America to support Veterans who want to run for elected office as independents. Paul is opinionated, patriotic, fiercely independent and is both a regular on CNN and MSNBC and hosts the popular podcast Independent Americans.

Paul was joined by special guests Ty Pinkins (Mississippi) and Todd Achilles (Idaho) — two veterans who are both running for US Senate as Independents.

2026 is the year of the Independent.