Campaigns

Campaigns cover the initiatives, races, and ballot questions where independent-minded voters could decide the outcome. IVN.us reports on contests at every level, from local measures to statewide elections, with nonpartisan coverage and information so independent-minded voters can make informed choices.

NYC Mayoral Poll: Cuomo Crosses 50% Majority in Fifth Round of Ranked Choice Voting

A Marist College poll released Wednesday found that former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has emerged as the frontrunner in the Democratic primary for New York City mayor – which would make him the odds-on favorite to unseat Mayor Eric Adams.

Shawn Griffiths

/ May 14, 2025

NYC Mayoral Poll: Cuomo Crosses 50% Majority in Fifth Round of Ranked Choice Voting

Florida Senator Jason Pizzo Launches Independent Bid for Governor

Breaking ranks with both major parties, Florida State Senator Jason Pizzo has declared his candidacy for governor in 2026 as a no-party-affiliation (NPA) candidate, setting the stage for a rare and potentially disruptive independent run in one of the nation’s most competitive political battlegrounds

Cara Brown McCormick

/ May 14, 2025

Florida Senator Jason Pizzo Launches Independent Bid for Governor

A Partisan Fight Heats Up: Voter ID Initiative Pits Maine’s Democrat Secretary of State Against a Powerful GOP Super PAC

A super PAC allied with the Republican Party is challenging the official language of a voter ID ballot question set to appear on Maine’s November 2025 ballot.

By Tori Stevens

/ May 14, 2025

A Partisan Fight Heats Up: Voter ID Initiative Pits Maine’s Democrat Secretary of State Against a Powerful GOP Super PAC

The GOP's Biggest Opponent In 2026 -- Itself

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has announced he won’t run for Senate in 2026 - a surprising move given his strong statewide appeal and proven ability to win over independents.

By Dan Sally

/ May 13, 2025

The GOP's Biggest Opponent In 2026 -- Itself

Running for President as an Independent: How it Really Works

Have you ever wondered why, in the greatest democracy in the world, almost no one runs for President of the United States as an independent? The answer is that running as an independent is extremely difficult, if not impossible. That is why very few people have attempted it, and none have won in mod

Cara Brown McCormick

/ May 12, 2025

Running for President as an Independent: How it Really Works

Libertarian Party Chair Warns Party in Danger of 'Full Collapse'

Elections in the US make it all, but impossible for third party and independent candidates to compete in most elections. Still, for several decades there have been established third parties at the national level, including the Libertarian, Green, and Reform Parties.

Shawn Griffiths

/ May 7, 2025

Libertarian Party Chair Warns Party in Danger of 'Full Collapse'

Who Really Pays for Congress? Local Donors All But Disappear in 2024

There is an old saying: All politics is local. However, many voters may get the impression this is becoming less and less a reality -- particularly in US House and Senate elections where candidates are elected to represent specific districts or states, but campaign to a national audience.

Shawn Griffiths

/ May 6, 2025

Who Really Pays for Congress? Local Donors All But Disappear in 2024

Maine Rep. Jared Golden, Known for Independent Streak, Faces Challenge from Paul LePage in Ranked Choice Election

Rep. Jared Golden (D-ME-2), one of the most independent voices in Congress, will face a new challenger in 2026: former Maine Governor Paul LePage. Once again conducted under Maine’s ranked choice voting (RCV) system, the race is expected to draw national attention in one of the country’s most compet

Cara Brown McCormick

/ May 5, 2025

Maine Rep. Jared Golden, Known for Independent Streak, Faces Challenge from Paul LePage in Ranked Choice Election

LISTEN: Running for President as an Independent -- How it Really Works

Think about the leaders with bold visions you’ve wanted to vote for, the ones with the best ideas who have the potential to transform American politics. Most never stand a chance, regardless of where they fall on the political spectrum.

Shawn Griffiths

/ April 30, 2025

LISTEN: Running for President as an Independent -- How it Really Works

Progressive-Backed Primary Threats Rattle Democratic Incumbents in Congress

There is perhaps no better example of how critical primary elections are in deciding elections than what is happening within the Democratic Party to oust incumbents that progressives view as establishment figures.

Shawn Griffiths

/ April 23, 2025

Progressive-Backed Primary Threats Rattle Democratic Incumbents in Congress

Are Democrats Having Their Own MAGA Movement?

With only 562 days until the 2026 midterm elections, pundits have begun making predictions, and the Democrats' progressive wing has been very publicly asserting itself. In recent weeks, AOC and Bernie Sanders have held a series of high-profile rallies across the country, and activists have threatene

By Dan Sally

/ April 21, 2025

Are Democrats Having Their Own MAGA Movement?

In Oakland, Barbara Lee's RCV Strategy Seen as Critical to Mayoral Victory

In a dramatic shift following the April 15 special mayoral election in Oakland, former U.S. Representative Barbara Lee has been declared the winner, pulling into a commanding lead over former Councilmember Loren Taylor, as vote counting continues.

Cara Brown McCormick

/ April 18, 2025

In Oakland, Barbara Lee's RCV Strategy Seen as Critical to Mayoral Victory