Independent Center Proposes AI-Driven Strategy to Influence Congressional Elections
The Independent Center, a nonprofit organization focusing on independent voters, has outlined a strategy to elect independent candidates to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2026, leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) for this objective. The organization states that AI capabilities are essential for their plan.
Strategic Objectives and Context
The primary goal is to secure a sufficient number of House seats for independent candidates to prevent either of the two major parties from achieving a majority. This outcome could potentially modify the operational dynamics of the House. This initiative aims to reverse a trend of 35 years without a new independent candidate winning a House seat.
Recent data indicates a rise in independent voter identification. A 2024 Gallup poll reported that 43% of Americans identified as independent, marking a record high. Exit polls from the same year showed 34% of voters identifying as independent, an increase from 26% in 2020. David Barker, a professor of government at American University, noted that this shift signifies an important change, as a plurality of Americans now identify as independents.
Adam Brandon, a senior advisor at the Independent Center, remarked that the current political climate, characterized by dissatisfaction with the two major parties, provides an opportune moment for this approach.
Leadership and Methodology
The Independent Center’s strategy is overseen by experienced political operatives. Adam Brandon previously served as President of FreedomWorks, a conservative grassroots organization. Brett Loyd, head of The Bullfinch Group, a nonpartisan polling and data firm, directs the polling and research for the Independent Center. Loyd previously worked on President Trump's polling team.
Loyd specified that their objective is not to eliminate partisanship across all districts but to target specific areas. He stated, "This isn't going to work everywhere. It's going to work in very specific areas." Loyd has identified 40 districts where independent candidates could potentially succeed with voters described as dissatisfied with both established parties. The Independent Center intends to recruit approximately ten candidates by spring, with an aim to win at least half of these races. Brandon suggested that such victories could encourage moderate partisan members of the House to change their affiliations, recalling a Republican member who expressed such a possibility conditionally.
The Role of Artificial Intelligence
The organization employs a proprietary AI tool developed by an external partner. This tool is designed to monitor public sentiment in real-time, differing from traditional polling methods that offer a snapshot.
Key functions of the AI include:
- Understanding Voter Issues: Identifying the core concerns and sentiments of voters.
- District Identification: Locating districts suitable for independent candidates. This involves analyzing factors such as voter participation rates and the presence of younger voters, who are perceived to be more receptive to independent messages.
- Candidate Recruitment: Assisting in the search for potential candidates. The AI can analyze data, including information from professional networking sites like LinkedIn, to identify individuals with relevant community involvement or career histories.
- Strategic Placement: Advising on the optimal district for a candidate to run, based on compatibility data.
Addressing the "Spoiler" Criticism
The Independent Center acknowledges and addresses the criticism that independent candidates can act as "spoilers" by influencing the outcome of elections without winning themselves. Loyd characterized this criticism as "partisan" and "archaic." Brandon stated that the organization intends to "embrace the spoiler" role, asserting that they are challenging a system they describe as corrupt.