Independents for America Podcast

Mike Cantwell
  • 3.7 (3)
  • POLITICS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

At Independents for America, we tell the stories of Independent and minor party candidates. Start local, and scale. End the Duopoly www.independentsforamerica.com

  1. 16. Jay Doyle ... Mayor, Georgetown, SC

    FEB 14

    16. Jay Doyle ... Mayor, Georgetown, SC

    Disillusioned with the two major political parties, Jay Doyle decided to run for Mayor of Georgetown, SC as a Forward Party candidate. He was elected Mayor in November 2025 began serving his four-year team in January 2026. Jay and his wife, Suzanne, moved to Georgetown 16 years ago and immediately fell in love with all that is Georgetown. He has been engaged with the community from the onset and shared the concerns that many citizens regarding the direction of our city. Georgetown is a community with rich history and potential, yet faces several challenges that need immediate attention, particularly, in crucial areas such as job creation, affordable housing, development, and overall growth. Many of these challenges are daunting but his motto has always been “If there is a will, there is a way.” Jay was born and raised in Massachusetts, where he spent his formative years surrounded by family as one of eight children. After completing high school, he briefly attended Northeastern University but soon realized that traditional college education was not the right path for him. This realization led him to embark on an entrepreneurial journey, ultimately starting his own construction business, which successfully thrived for an impressive 25 years. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.independentsforamerica.com/subscribe

    27 min
  2. 15. Brian Vincent

    10/30/2025

    15. Brian Vincent

    Mayor Brian Vincent, is is a proud Independent who is running for reelection under the Forward Party banner. Brian was first elected to serve as Mayor of Farmville in 2022. Prior to January 1st 2023, Mayor Vincent served as the town councilman of Ward B from July 2018 to December 2022. He is a graduate of Tabb High School in Yorktown, VA and holds a B.A. in Geography/GIS from Concord University in Athens, WV. Mayor Vincent runs a family business on Main Street in Farmville, Appomattox River Company, alongside his father-in-law. He has served on the Board for the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources since 2017. The mayor’s wife, Harriet, is a Farmville native and local Nurse Practitioner. They have two school-aged daughters, Martha Lucy and Eliza. In his spare time, Mayor Vincent enjoys exploring the outdoors, paddling rivers with his family, reading widely, and testing his physical and mental limits. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.independentsforamerica.com/subscribe

    38 min
  3. 14. Laura Downs, City of Falls Church, VA

    08/11/2025

    14. Laura Downs, City of Falls Church, VA

    Laura Taddeucci Downs was elected to the Falls Church City (VA) Council in a special election in November 2024 to complete a former council member’s unexpired term. She is seeking re-election this Fall for a full, four-year term. Prior to her election to City Council, in November 2019, Laura was elected to a four-year term on the School Board for Falls Church City Public Schools. While on the School Board, Laura helped the schools navigate the COVID-19 pandemic and oversaw the construction of the system’s brand-new, 120M LEED Gold-certified Meridian High School. Laura served as Vice Chair for one year and then as Chair for two years on the School Board. School Board members were elected publicly in Falls Church City beginning in 1994. In the 30 years since, Laura is one of only six FCC residents who have been elected to both the School Board and the City Council, and the only female to do so. Before her public service, Laura served in several volunteer leadership roles: Falls Church Elementary PTA President, Henderson Middle School PTA President, President of the GW Alumni Association, and Board member of the Falls Church Education Foundation. Laura’s professional career has been in the field of Higher Education Administration. She worked at George Washington University as Executive Director of Student Life and also received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from GW. Laura grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, and moved to Falls Church City, VA, in 2009 with her husband, Christian, and their four sons. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.independentsforamerica.com/subscribe

    32 min
  4. 13. Jennifer Passey, Fairfax City Council

    07/23/2025

    13. Jennifer Passey, Fairfax City Council

    Jennifer Passey has been an active resident in the City of Fairfax since 2010, when she moved there with her husband and four boys. She was elected and served two terms on the Fairfax City Council beginning in 2017. During her time on the City Council, she focused on improving communication between City Hall and residents as well as strategic economic development and environmental initiatives. With her leadership, the City implemented its first composting program in 2018. Prior to her election to City Council, she served on the City’s Planning Commission (2011-14), the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board (2012-14) and the Country Club Hills Civic Association from 2010-12. In 2021, Jennifer was selected as the City of Fairfax Woman of Influence. Jennifer is an issue advocacy and communications professional with more than 20 years of experience in Washington, DC; Dhaka, Bangladesh; and New Delhi, India. Originally from Blaine, Minnesota, Jennifer moved to the Washington Metropolitan Area to attend The George Washington University, where she received her bachelor’s degree in Religious Studies and, later, her master’s degree in Political Management. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.independentsforamerica.com/subscribe

    34 min
  5. 12. Donna Charles

    07/01/2025

    12. Donna Charles

    Donna Charles is a proud Air Force veteran and former civil servant with over 20 years of experience in national security and foreign policy. She has had the honor and privilege to serve this great country in a variety of roles, including at the State Department, Department of Defense, Capitol Hill, and the National Security Council. Donna's roots are in the U.S. Intelligence Community, where she worked closely with amazing professionals of all stripes who all had a common goal: to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic. Public service is a natural instinct for Donna, dating back to her time as a Girl Scout. Public service is Donna's way of showing gratitude for the wonderful and unique opportunities this great country has afforded her, and there is no greater honor than to serve. That is why she is running to become the next governor of Virginia. She can take her decades of experience in public service to make Virginia an even better place to live, work, and raise a family. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.independentsforamerica.com/subscribe

    40 min
  6. 11. Marq Hawkins, Mayor, California City, CA

    05/25/2025

    11. Marq Hawkins, Mayor, California City, CA

    Marq Hawkins (aka DJ Cli-N-Tel). As a college professor, business owner, and coach, Marq understands the the importance of leading by example. He is committed to investing in his community, bringing new ideas to create jobs, and and taking actions to stimulate economic growth. Before being sworn is as Mayor, Marq served on school councils and cultural advisory boards, and promoted vocational training and education programs for the evolving job market. Marq is dedicated to fostering public/private partnerships to pave roads, increase green space, and community art. Marq believes that by working together, the people can build a prosperous, healthy, beautiful, and financially sound California City. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.independentsforamerica.com/subscribe

    36 min

  7. 04/20/2025

    10. Erik Johnson, St. Albans City Council

    On May 2, 2024, Independent candidate Erik Johnson won his election for city council in Saint Albans, Vermont. Johnson is now serving his community as the city council member for Ward 5, which includes the southern end of Saint Albans. “My mission is to champion a vibrant and safer St Albans by fostering community cohesion, amplifying resident voices, and driving forward positive, people-centric change. As a non-partisan office holder, Johnson has the chance to stand up for his own values and for the needs of his community, rather than for any one political party’s agenda. “I hear a lot that the state Democratic Party wants us to do this, or the state Democratic Party wants us to do that. I really felt like that would be limiting to me, because I want to be creative. I want to go down the path that works for me,” Johnson said. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.independentsforamerica.com/subscribe

    32 min
  8. 8. Francis McGuigan, Greene County, Virginia Board of Supervisors

    02/25/2025

    8. Francis McGuigan, Greene County, Virginia Board of Supervisors

    Francis tells the story of his underdog campaign for a seat on the Greene County Board of Supervisors. Francis is a University of Virginia graduate, Navy veteran, surgeon, professor, father, and grandfather. He led a team of doctors at Bethesda Naval Hospital that treated marines and SEALS who were severely wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan. Francis is committed preserving rural Greene County, working hand in hand with lifelong residents and newcomers alike to help curb overdevelopment. He understands that our rural agricultural and conservation districts are our treasures and knows that once they are gone, they are lost for good. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.independentsforamerica.com/subscribe

    29 min
See All (15)

Ratings & Reviews

3.7
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

At Independents for America, we tell the stories of Independent and minor party candidates. Start local, and scale. End the Duopoly www.independentsforamerica.com

Information