Democrats Are Turning to Independents

Added: 2026-06-01

[00:00:00]Democrats in some deep red states are trying a surprising new strategy.

[00:00:05]Backing independents instead of Democrats.

[00:00:08]And this may be a signal that something big is happening in American politics.

[00:00:13]According to Gallup, a record high 45% of Americans now identify as political independents.

[00:00:20]And now that growing independent movement may be starting to reshape Senate races across the country.

[00:00:27]The clearest example is happening in Nebraska.

[00:00:30]Democratic leaders there are backing independent Senate candidate Dan Osborn in an effort to defeat Republican Senator Pete Ricketts.

[00:00:39]And after winning the Democratic primary earlier this month, Democratic nominee Cindy Burbank announced that she plans to step aside and endorse Osborn instead.

[00:00:51]And that's nothing short of remarkable.

[00:00:53]Because Osborn isn't running as a Democrat.

[00:00:57]He's running as a moderate independent.

[00:01:00]And Democrats apparently believe he has a better chance of competing in a deep red state than a traditional Democrat.

[00:01:07]And Nebraska may not be the only place this strategy is emerging.

[00:01:12]In Montana, recent polling showed Republican candidate Kurt Olson leading a four-way Senate race with 46%.

[00:01:20]While independent Seth Bodnar had 26%.

[00:01:24]The Democrat Riley Neil trailed at 24%.

[00:01:28]And a libertarian candidate had 3%.

[00:01:31]But if the Democrat drops out, then in a hypothetical two-way race between Republican Olson and the independent Bodnar, the race was literally tied at 50% apiece.

[00:01:43]And in South Dakota, calls are growing for Democratic candidate Julian Bodnar to step aside and give independent candidate Brian Bangs a clearer path against Republican Senator Mike Rounds.

[00:01:56]Now, none of this guarantees independents will suddenly start winning Senate races, but it does suggest something important.

[00:02:04]As more Americans reject both political parties, even party leaders themselves are starting to recognize that independent candidates can sometimes appeal to a broader coalition of voters.

[00:02:17]And if even a few independents eventually win Senate seats, they could become enormously influential in a closely divided Senate, while also sending a message that many voters are increasingly exhausted with politics as usual.

[00:02:33]So, the question may no longer be whether independents are growing in power.

[00:02:38]The real question is when that power will start changing election results.

[00:02:44]And based on what's happening right now in states like Nebraska, Montana, and South Dakota, the answer may be sooner than you think.