Embrace The Spoiler How Ai Is Driving The Bid To Elect Independents Np

Leo Migdal
-
embrace the spoiler how ai is driving the bid to elect independents np

The Independent Center is using AI to identify congressional districts where independent candidates could win over the Democratic or Republican candidate. Its goal is to elect at least a handful of independents to disrupt the two-party system on Capitol Hill. Glenn Harvey for NPR hide caption The rise of AI assistants is rewriting the rhythms of everyday life: People are feeding their blood test results into chatbots, turning to ChatGPT for advice on their love lives and leaning on AI... Now, one organization suggests artificial intelligence can go beyond making daily life more convenient. It says it's the key to reshaping American politics.

"Without AI, what we're trying to do would be impossible," explained Adam Brandon, a senior adviser at the Independent Center, a nonprofit that studies and engages with independent voters. The goal is to elect a handful of independent candidates to the House of Representatives in 2026, using AI to identify districts where independents could succeed and uncover diamond in the rough candidates. The rise of AI assistants is rewriting the rhythms of everyday life: People are feeding their blood test results into chatbots, turning to ChatGPT for advice on their love lives and leaning on AI... Now, one organization suggests artificial intelligence can go beyond making daily life more convenient. It says it's the key to reshaping American politics. "Without AI, what we're trying to do would be impossible," explained Adam Brandon, a senior adviser at the Independent Center, a nonprofit that studies and engages with independent voters.

The goal is to elect a handful of independent candidates to the House of Representatives in 2026, using AI to identify districts where independents could succeed and uncover diamond in the rough candidates. In a time when control of the House balances on a knife's edge, winning even a handful of seats could deny either party from getting a majority and upend the way the House currently... For too long, independent voters have been dismissed as “spoilers.” But what if that label is not a weakness—but a strength? What if spoiling is exactly what our democracy needs to reclaim the American Dream? Let’s be clear: if partisan politics is making our political process less representative, then they should be understood to be the true spoilers. Partisan politics has entrenched itself in our system, protecting the interests of a few while ignoring the needs and desires of the majority.

Gerrymandered districts, outdated election rules, and gridlock in Washington are not accidents—they are symptoms of a system designed to serve party elites, not the people. Independent voters are challenging this status quo. We are not spoiling democracy—we are spoiling the dysfunction that has taken root in our political institutions. According to the Independent Center’s September 2025 poll: A new initiative by The Independent Center aims to use AI tools to challenge the two‑party dominance in the U.S. Congress by identifying and supporting viable independent candidates.

The idea is to target congressional districts where independents might win and build a small but influential bloc that could upset the current majority dynamics. The group says its AI algorithms analyze voter behavior, demographics, turnout patterns, and public sentiment to find “diamond in the rough” candidates — people who may not be traditional politicians, but could appeal to... The plan is to launch around 10 such candidates by spring, with a long‑term goal of winning enough seats to block either major party from holding a clear majority. Proponents argue the timing may be favorable: a 2024 survey by Gallup found 43% of Americans now identify as independents — the highest level in decades — indicating widespread dissatisfaction with traditional party politics. That, combined with AI‑driven targeting and grassroots campaigning, gives independents a shot that many analysts say would have been improbable just a few years ago. Still, success is far from guaranteed.

The U.S. electoral system — with party‑aligned primaries, fundraising dynamics, and institutional advantages for major parties — has historically made it difficult for independents to break through. What this effort shows is not a sure political shift, but rather a growing experiment in how emerging technologies like AI might be used to challenge entrenched two‑party control.

People Also Search

The Independent Center Is Using AI To Identify Congressional Districts

The Independent Center is using AI to identify congressional districts where independent candidates could win over the Democratic or Republican candidate. Its goal is to elect at least a handful of independents to disrupt the two-party system on Capitol Hill. Glenn Harvey for NPR hide caption The rise of AI assistants is rewriting the rhythms of everyday life: People are feeding their blood test r...

"Without AI, What We're Trying To Do Would Be Impossible,"

"Without AI, what we're trying to do would be impossible," explained Adam Brandon, a senior adviser at the Independent Center, a nonprofit that studies and engages with independent voters. The goal is to elect a handful of independent candidates to the House of Representatives in 2026, using AI to identify districts where independents could succeed and uncover diamond in the rough candidates. The ...

The Goal Is To Elect A Handful Of Independent Candidates

The goal is to elect a handful of independent candidates to the House of Representatives in 2026, using AI to identify districts where independents could succeed and uncover diamond in the rough candidates. In a time when control of the House balances on a knife's edge, winning even a handful of seats could deny either party from getting a majority and upend the way the House currently... For too ...

Gerrymandered Districts, Outdated Election Rules, And Gridlock In Washington Are

Gerrymandered districts, outdated election rules, and gridlock in Washington are not accidents—they are symptoms of a system designed to serve party elites, not the people. Independent voters are challenging this status quo. We are not spoiling democracy—we are spoiling the dysfunction that has taken root in our political institutions. According to the Independent Center’s September 2025 poll: A n...

The Idea Is To Target Congressional Districts Where Independents Might

The idea is to target congressional districts where independents might win and build a small but influential bloc that could upset the current majority dynamics. The group says its AI algorithms analyze voter behavior, demographics, turnout patterns, and public sentiment to find “diamond in the rough” candidates — people who may not be traditional politicians, but could appeal to... The plan is to...