4 IVA wins. Vets win big nationally. Especially women vets. GOP sports figures win again. They’re coming for Hegseth. No more political ads in sports! Independents were the water in the blue wave, and the water level is rising. In episode 668, Paul Rieckhoff rips through the midterm results with a combat helmet on and no illusions about what just happened. Yes, Democrats won big. No, America doesn't suddenly love Chuck Schumer or Hakeem Jeffries. What the data actually shows — pulled from CNN exit polling and Jeremy Gruber's analysis at Open Primaries — is that independent voters broke decisively for the candidates who sent a message: Trump is getting rich and you're getting screwed. In Texas, Ohio, Kansas, South Carolina, Iowa — independents weren't a marginal factor. They changed the map. Paul also walks through every independent veteran Senate race: Todd Achilles in Idaho, Brian Bengs in South Dakota, Dan Osborn in Nebraska, Seth Bodnar in Montana, Bob Chew in Colorado, and Ty Pinkins' still-too-close race in Mississippi. The money gap is the story — Osborn got outspent by a billionaire's son, Bodnar faced a Democrat spoiler who wouldn't drop out. But below the radar, four IVA-endorsed independent veterans did win, including a second straight independent mayor in Ridgecrest, California. Add 79 veterans heading to Congress with a record 11 women veterans, Tom Tillis coming for Hegseth, Carney shutting Russia out of junior hockey, and J.D. Vance already blaming Trump for the wipeout — and you've got a wake-up call for both parties. The question isn't whether independents matter anymore. It's whether the system catches up. -WATCH full video of this episode here. -Join us for Veterans Day in New York City 11/11. -Check out the important work happening at Independent Voter News at IVN.us. -Track the IVA candidates on our poll tracker. -Let Vets Vote: Millions of American veterans are being locked out of primary elections in the country they served. See what we’re doing to change that. -Visit Kalshi and trade on anything. Use code INDEPENDENT to get $25 when you trade $25. -Head to cozyearth.com and use the code AMERICANS for an exclusive 20% off. -Join Noble Mobile today and get a $100 bonus when you use code PAUL and stay a member for 2 months! -Learn more about American Veterans for Ukraine here. -Learn more about The Headstrong Project for Veterans, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), and Department of Veterans Affairs resources in your area. Seeking support is not a sign of weakness. It’s a show of strength. If you or a loved one are in immediate crisis, dial 988 and press 1, or text 838255. Connect with Independent Americans: Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all podcast platforms Read more at Substack Support ad-free episodes at Patreon Connect: Instagram • X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook Follow on social: @PaulRieckhoff on X, Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky -Join the movement. Hook into our exclusive Patreon community of Independent Americans. Get extra content, connect with guests, meet other Independent Americans, attend events, get merch discounts, and support this show that speaks truth to power. -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year. Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media. And now part of the BLEAV network! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.