All articles tagged with #independents
CNN data guru Harry Enten says Trump’s second-term poll numbers have plunged further, with an overall net approval 31 points underwater and independents 47 points underwater, and a separate Reuters/Ipsos poll showing 33% approval and 64% disapproval, highlighting mounting GOP anxiety about the midterms as independents move away amid Iran tensions and rising economic pain.
Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs, facing a tough reelection, tapped former Mesa mayor John Giles—a lifelong Republican who recently became an independent—as her running mate to broaden appeal to independents in a partisan race against Rep. Andy Biggs, who has President Trump’s endorsement; the race is viewed as Lean Democratic by Cook Political Report.
Democrats Alani Bankhead in Montana and Julian Beaudion in South Dakota say they will not exit their races for independents Bodnar and Bengs, despite pressure from national and local Democrats; withdrawal deadlines loom and experts warn a crowded, uphill race in two Trump-won states could jeopardize any path to a Senate majority, while independents could caucus with Democrats if they win.
Former West Virginia senator Joe Manchin, now an independent, launches the Independent Leadership Council to recruit and back independent candidates nationwide, stressing it’s not a new party. The kickoff in West Virginia drew aspiring independents such as Rep. Kevin Kiley and others, signaling a bid to mobilize growing independent sentiment to influence the next Congress despite practical hurdles like ballot access and fundraising.
Nationwide, Democratic Socialists are racking up wins—from NYC to PA and CO—while the Florida Democratic Party sticks to moderate candidates to appeal to independents; the DSA has a small but growing Florida presence (~5,000 members), endorsing a few candidates and focusing on housing, healthcare, immigration enforcement and utility rates, but statewide offices remain out of reach for now.
Ten candidates have announced bids in the Clacton by-election after the main Westminster parties decided not to stand against Reform UK, creating a diverse field that includes Count Binface, Piers Corbyn, Nigel Farage, Laurence Fox and a slate of independents and minor parties such as Adham Alkhatip (Forward Party), Rob Pownall (wildlife campaigner), Amelia Randall (Balanced Britain), Kai Stephens (British Democrats) and Luke Worley.
Oklahoma’s primary saw independents only eligible to vote on State Question 832, which would raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour, while criticizing the closed primary system that keeps them out of governor and U.S. Senate races. Separately, State Question 836, which would have opened primaries, failed to reach the ballot. Many independents advocate open primaries and some say they may re-evaluate party registration to gain broader voting rights in future elections, highlighting ongoing debates over how Oklahoma runs its primary system.
Primaries across six states showed Democrats solidifying key nominations, Trump's grip slipping in Iowa where a gubernatorial upset loomed, and independents gaining traction in Montana and South Dakota; California’s marquee race drew celebrity flair with Spencer Pratt amid a crowded field, while New Jersey and New Mexico introduced notable developments—Rebecca Bennett challenging a recovering Rep. Tom Kean Jr. and Deb Haaland potentially becoming the first Native American governor. The results hint at a flexible fall map as parties recalibrate.
Two Mecklenburg County state representatives, Carla Cunningham and Nasif Majeed, announced they are leaving the Democratic Party to become unaffiliated after losing Democratic primary challenges to candidates who criticized their occasional votes with Republicans on vetoes. Cunningham cited hostility toward her and a desire to serve constituents rather than adhere to party politics; Majeed echoed a similar sentiment and said he would work with both parties. Their departures come as Republicans hold a supermajority and as a recent trend of Mecklenburg Democrats leaving the party continues, including a 2023 switch by Tricia Cotham.
An AP-NORC poll conducted April 16–20 shows about 75% of Americans describe the U.S. economy as poor, and Trump’s approval on the economy has fallen among independents and Republicans—only about 20% of independents and roughly 62% of Republicans view his handling positively, down from March. Immigration remains a relative bright spot, and Biden’s approval sits near his 2022 low, signaling waning momentum for Trump’s economic message even as overall partisan polarization remains high.
Vietnam is voting for the National Assembly, with 864 candidates of whom about 93% are Communist Party members and 7.5% independents. The ruling party dominates the 500-seat parliament (and holds about 97% of seats overall). Over 73 million voters are electing National Assembly members and local representatives, with results due March 23 and an early-April opening session to approve top leaders such as the president and prime minister. While many citizens hope for modernization, some express skepticism that the election will alter daily life in this one-party state.
In deep-red Montana, Nebraska, Idaho and South Dakota, liberal independents have filed Senate bids, but local Democrats won’t back non-Democrats, risking vote-splitting that could hand the GOP a larger majority; the dynamics echo Nebraska’s 2024 Osborn run, while Montana’s Bodnar faces a party pledge to back only Democrats, leaving independents to contend with fractured fields and intensified intra-party tension.
New polls released ahead of Trump’s State of the Union show his national job approval around 39% with notable disapproval (about 47% strongly). Independents are drifting away (CNN: 26% approve), while Republicans’ backing remains but has softened (CNN: 82% approve, down 8 points; WaPo: 48% strongly approve, down from 63%). Voters disapprove of immigration (58%), economy (57%), inflation (65%), and tariffs (64%), and only 38% say the country is moving in the right direction. Democrats and independents largely say the nation is worse off than a year ago, signaling broad concern as the address nears.
CNN's latest SSRS poll shows Trump’s overall approval at 36% with independents at 26%—the lowest independents reading in either term—amid 61% who say his policies will move the country in the wrong direction. Voters cite the economy and cost of living as the top issue for his State of the Union.
Tariffs aren’t the main issue anymore; 2025 closed strongly and Rostovsky expects a resilient 2026. The market is shifting toward classic, simple, well-finished watches and neo-vintage designs, with independents driving innovation (now including Daniel Roth). Currency shifts are lifting US prices and eroding pricing parity, but collectors remain active and local buying grows, signaling continued demand for understated luxury.