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Matt is running as an Independent candidate to represent Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District. He served in the Marine Corps for 28 years including combat deployments during Operation Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom and ultimately retired as a full Colonel. Matt and his wife have two daughters and have long ties to the Hampton Roads area. To learn more about Matt, his principles, and his priorities, go to
https://www.mattbakerindependent.com/
Please consider volunteering and donating to Matt’s campaign.
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29 Apr 2026
17. Nate Smolensky
Nathan Smolensky is a longtime independent strategist and the founder of UniFire Consulting, a firm dedicated to providing the strategic infrastructure and messaging for independent political candidates. His focus is on bringing a business mindset to create effective, positive messaging, empowering them to speak powerfully to their campaign platform, viability, and impact proposition while maintaining their authentic voice. He is the author of Common Ground from the Ground Up (https://www.amazon.com/Common-Ground-rethinking-relationships-democracy/dp/B0FJHCGRTK) (2025), which explores how collaborative discourse can make us better advocates for our beliefs, help us heal relationships, and repair the American political landscape. Currently based in Florida, Nathan works with candidates around the nation and takes pride in serving as a connector within the independent space. When not in the “trenches” of a campaign, Nathan enjoys food, chess, and trivia.
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14 Feb 2026
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.
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30 Oct 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.
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11 Aug 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.
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23 Jul 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 (https://www.independentsforamerica.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2)
1 Jul 2025
12. Donna Charles
Donna Charles, a veteran and former civil servant, discusses her extensive experience in national security and foreign policy and her motivations for running for governor of Virginia in this interview.
25 May 2025
11. Marq Hawkins, Mayor, California City, CA
Mayor Marq Hawkins discusses his commitment to investing in California City, stimulating economic growth, and fostering public/private partnerships to improve the community in this interview episode.
20 Apr 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.
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31 Mar 2025
Mike Cantwell - Solo pod
Mike provides a little background on himself and his electoral reform advocacy efforts. He also discusses his 2021 campaign for the Arlington County Board and why he thinks local candidates should run as Independents . He also encourage anyone who is thinking for running for local office to reach out to him.
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25 Feb 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.
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13 Feb 2025
7. Robin Brown, Prince George's County School Board member
Robin ran an underdog campaign and ultimately beat the incumbent to win a seat on the Prince George’s County (Maryland) School Board.
Robin holds a Master of Arts in Human Services Counseling with a concentration in Criminal Justice and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Liberty University’s Helms School of Government. She is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education in Community Care and Counseling with a concentration in Traumatology from Liberty University.
Her professional experience includes her current role as a Program and Policy Analyst at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), where she manages and coordinates various policy and program initiatives.
As a candidate for the Board of Education, Robin is focused on ensuring that all students in the district have access to a safe, equitable, and high-quality education. Key areas of focus in her platform include:
* Empowering parents to advocate for education equity.
* Enhancing cybersecurity protections for students using school-provided devices.
* Strengthening school safety while advancing District 5’s standing in terms of educational performance and competitiveness.
* Advocating for families with children with disabilities to ensure appropriate resources and support.
* Building partnerships with local businesses to create opportunities for students to gain job skills and apprenticeships.
Her diverse experiences in education, public service, and advocacy provide her with a comprehensive understanding of the needs and challenges facing District 5. Her focus on community engagement, student success, and policy improvement reflects her commitment to supporting the educational growth and safety of students, teachers, and staff across the district.
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9 Feb 2025
6. Justin Green, Deptford Township School Board
A great interview with one of the youngest elected leaders in New Jersey.
Justin was sworn in as a Deptford Township School Board member on January 2, 2025.
Justin said, “As a former student member of the Gloucester County Vocational Technical School District Board, I have first-hand experience advocating for equitable policies,” said Green. “I’m driven to ensure that the board is transparent, accountable and responsive to the needs of our community.
“I believe it’s time for a new generation of leadership to step up,” he added, “and I am committed to working towards a brighter future for all Deptford students.”
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29 Jan 2025
Caleb Stought, Purcellville Town Council Member
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14 Feb 2024
Owen Casas, Maine House of Representatives from the 94th District (Episode 004)
Former independent member of the Maine House of Representatives from the 94th district (2016-2018) talks with host Mike Cantwell on what makes Maine a special place for independent-minded people, the benefits of Ranked Choice Voting, and how he came to run for and win elected office.
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27 Apr 2023
Monica Gary, Stafford County (VA) Board of Supervisors (Episode 003)
Monica Gary, sitting member of the Board of Supervisors in Stafford County, Virginia, chats with host Mike Cantwell on what makes Stafford County unique as well as very similar to other communities across the country for independent candidates, what prompted her decision to run, and her recently announced campaign for Virginia State Senate.
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27 Apr 2023
Jason Grenn, Alaska House of Representatives from the 22nd District (Episode 002)
Former independent member of the Alaska House of Representatives from the 22nd district (2016-2018), Jason Green, talks with host Mike Cantwell on his passion for electoral reform, initial 2016 race, and some advice for others running as an independent candidate.
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27 Apr 2023
Laura Sibilia, Vermont House of Representatives from the Windham-Bennington district (Episode 001)
Independent member of the Vermont House of Representatives Laura Sibilia meets with host Mike Cantwell to discuss her most recent election, the legislative process in Vermont, and how her deep connections to the military helped her campaign.
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Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
3.7 / 5
3 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 13 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
5
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
51
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