173 independents run for House amid record voter polarization

Independent congressional candidates are stepping into the spotlight as the 2026 election sees a record 173 independents vying for House seats, a number that dwarfs the single independent currently serving in Congress. Among them is Seth Haskin, a 26‑year‑old manager of his family’s coffee shop in Southwest Florida, who is campaigning in a puff‑sleeved linen shirt, 18th‑century waistcoat, breeches, and buckle shoes that make a distinctive clip‑clop. He also carries an old‑school bell to draw attention. In Idaho, retired Air Force Major General Sarah Zabel is running as a “heritage Republican” who left the GOP in 2018 after the rise of the MAGA movement. In California, Kevin Kiley, who switched from Republican to independent while in office, remains the only independent in the House and continues to caucus with Republicans.

The surge in independent candidates follows a record‑high 45 percent of adults who identify as independents, a shift that reflects growing frustration with the polarisation of the two major parties. Candidates say that the extremes of the parties have left many voters feeling unrepresented. Haskin’s period‑piece look and bell are meant to evoke the Founding Fathers’ commitment to limited government, while Zabel’s background as a conservative who feels alienated by the current GOP agenda underscores the appeal of an independent platform. These stories illustrate a broader trend: independents are no longer seen as protest candidates but as a necessary relief for voters who feel trapped between the left and right.

The 173 independent candidates range from confident hopefuls to those who view a double‑digit vote share as a signal to both parties that change is needed. While most are still in the early stages of campaigning, their presence will test whether the sizable independent electorate will translate into votes. Only one independent currently holds a House seat, but that lone representative’s switch to independent status and continued caucus with Republicans shows that independents can still wield influence. The upcoming election will reveal whether voters will rally around these candidates or return to the familiar party lines.

If independents succeed in a handful of tight races, they could tip the balance of power in a Congress that is already on the brink of a shift. Their performance will also force the two major parties to reassess their platforms and outreach strategies. In a political climate that has seen the parties move to the extremes, the success or failure of independent candidates will signal how much of the middle ground is truly viable for the American electorate.