Joe Manchin launches Independent Leadership Council to elect independents

Jul 24, 2026

Former Sen. Joe Manchin has launched the Independent Leadership Council to recruit and support independent candidates for Congress. The group, co-led by his daughter Heather, aims to build a centrist movement, not a third party, amid growing voter disillusionment. A record 45% of Americans now identify as independent. The council is targeting races in states like California, Montana, and Alaska.

Independent Leadership Council launch

▪The initiative is co-led by Joe Manchin and his daughter, Heather Manchin, a former pharmaceutical executive.
▪Senior advisers to the council include Adam Brandon, former head of FreedomWorks, and Seth Cohen, a former Forbes Media executive.
▪The project combines work from Heather Manchin's nonprofit "Americans Together" and Adam Brandon's "Independent PAC".
▪Former West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin has launched the Independent Leadership Council to recruit and support independent candidates for Congress.
▪The council's stated goal is to build a movement toward the political center, not to start a third party.

Target races across states

▪Supported candidates include California Rep. Kevin Kiley, Montana Senate candidate Seth Bodnar, and Iowa House candidate Michael Bridgford.
▪The council's initial focus is on competitive congressional seats in the current election cycle.
▪The group is also considering supporting candidates in Alaska and Washington.

Independent voter momentum

▪In Alaska, nearly two-thirds of registered voters are not affiliated with either the Republican or Democratic party.
▪A recent Gallup poll found that a record high of 45% of American adults identify as political independents.

Manchin's political evolution

▪Manchin has stated he does not plan to run for office again.
▪Joe Manchin, a longtime Democrat, left the party to become an independent before retiring from the Senate in January 2025.

Ballot access challenges

▪In Nebraska, the Democratic Senate nominee dropped out to give independent Dan Osborn a clearer path against the Republican incumbent.
▪Independent candidates face structural challenges such as gaining ballot access and fundraising without an established party network.
▪In Alaska, independent candidate Bill Hill was endorsed by his main Democratic opponent, who dropped out of the race.