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For the South African political party, see Independent Democrats. For the Iraqi electoral formation led by Adnan Pachachi, see Assembly of Independent Democrats. For nonpartisian politicians in pro-democracy camp of Hong Kong, see Independent democrat (Hong Kong).

In U.S. politics, an independent Democrat is an individual who loosely identifies with the ideals of the Democratic Party but chooses not to be a formal member of the party (chooses to be an independent) or is denied the Democratic nomination in a caucus or primary election. Independent Democrat is not a political party. Several elected officials, including members of Congress, have identified as independent Democrats.

Active members

U.S. Senate

Angus King of Maine, U.S. Senator and 72nd Governor of Maine

In the 118th Congress, four politically independent U.S. Senators caucus with the Democrats:

State Legislators

Megan Hunt, Nebraska State Senator

There are thirteen politically independent state legislators that caucus with the Democrats or consistently vote with the party:

History

19th century

Andrew Jackson Hamilton, 11th Governor of Texas

The first member of the United States House of Representatives to identify as an independent Democrat was Zadok Casey of Illinois, who served from 1833 to 1843. Casey was a Jacksonian Democrat before becoming an independent.[25]

In 1848, a candidate for Mayor of Chicago, James Hutchinson Woodworth, labelled himself an independent Democrat to distance himself from what was at the time a corrupt and disorganized Chicago Democratic party organization; he preferred being described as an independent Democrat rather than as a Whig as that party was itself experiencing a transition. Woodworth won the 1848 Chicago mayoral election against Democrat James Curtiss with 59% of the vote. He won re-election with 80% of the vote in the 1849 election. Woodworth later served one term in the U.S. House of Representatives as a member of the Republican Party.[26][27]

Andrew Jackson Hamilton of Texas briefly served in the U.S. House of Representatives as an independent Democrat. He later served as the 11th Governor of Texas and became a member of the Republican party.[28]

20th century

Harry F. Byrd Jr. of Virginia, former U.S. Senator

Strom Thurmond of South Carolina was elected to the United States Senate in 1954 and served as an independent Democrat in the 84th Congress until his resignation on April 4, 1956. In November of that year he was elected as a Democrat to fill the vacancy created by his resignation.[29] Thurmond later became a member of the Republican Party in 1964.

Harry F. Byrd Jr., a senator from Virginia, left the Democratic Party in 1970. He continued to caucus with the Democrats and referred to himself as an independent Democrat.[30][31]

Patrick Lucey was a Democrat who ran as an independent as a vice-presidential candidate in 1980 with John B. Anderson.[32]

David Orr, who served as Mayor of Chicago briefly in 1987, entered politics as an independent Democrat.[33]

21st century

Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, former U.S. Senator and 2000 Democratic Nominee for Vice President

After failing to be re-nominated in the 2006 Democratic primary, U.S. Senator Joe Lieberman of Connecticut created a new party called the Connecticut for Lieberman party. He had lost the nomination to his own seat to Ned Lamont by a 52% to 48% margin. Lieberman won the general election with 49.7% of the vote to Lamont's 39.7%.[34] He had stated while campaigning that if elected he would continue to caucus with the Democrats. Within the week following the election, Lieberman stated that he was "an Independent Democrat, capital I, capital D," and that he had specified as much to the secretary of the Senate.[35] He continued to caucus with the Senate Democrats who had a slim majority in the 110th Congress. Lieberman remained a registered independent until he left Congress in 2013.[36][37]

Four members of the New York State Senate–Jeffrey Klein, Diane Savino, David Valesky, and David Carlucci–indicated they would form a similarly designated caucus separate from the Democratic conference in 2011, known as the Independent Democratic Conference (IDC). Following the 2009 New York State Senate Leadership Crisis the IDC formed a coalition government with then New York Senate Republican leader Dean Skelos to give Republicans control of the New York State Senate.[38] In April 2018, the IDC announced they would dissolve and following the primary defeat of six of the eight members in the 2018 elections, returning the New York State Senate to Democratic control in 2019.[39]

Bernie Sanders of Vermont, U.S. Senator and candidate for the Democratic nomination for president in 2016 and 2020

U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, the longest-serving independent politician in congressional history, was initially denied caucus membership by the Democratic Party, however he eventually caucused with the party in both the U.S House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate.[40] He has criticized the Democratic Party from a socialist perspective, though sought the Democratic nomination for president in 2016 and 2020.[41]

U.S. Senator Angus King served as Governor of Maine from 1995 to 2003, and was the only Independent governor in the United States during that period. He positioned himself as a centrist during his tenure, and later ran for Senate in 2012 on the same premise. He has caucused with Senate Democrats since 2013, and briefly considered caucusing with Republicans after the 2014 Senate elections.[42]

U.S. Senator Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona was elected as a Democrat in 2018, switching her affiliation from Democrat to Independent in December 2022, effective upon commencement of the 118th Congress. She has opted to caucus with neither party, while maintaining her seniority and committee assignments through the Senate Democratic Caucus.[43] Sinema announced she would not seek re-election in 2024.[44]

U.S. Congressional candidates Cara Mund, Evan McMullin, and Al Gross have all run as independents while receiving endorsements or support from their respective states' Democratic Parties in traditionally Republican states.[45][46][47]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Filiault does not officially caucus with the Democrats, but he consistently votes with the party.[5]
  2. ^ Perez does not officially caucus with the Democrats, but she consistently votes with the party.[14]
  3. ^ Pluecker does not officially caucus with the Democrats, but he chairs the Agriculture, Conservation, & Forestry Committee in the Democratic majority and consistently votes with the party.[16][17][18][19][20]

References

  1. ^ Gallagher, Noel (February 18, 2015). "For Maine's Sen. Angus King, moderate stance, unpredictability paying off". Portland Press Herald. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
  2. ^ Svitek, Patrick (May 31, 2024). "Manchin changes party registration to independent, fueling speculation". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
  3. ^ Qiu, Linda (February 23, 2016). "Is Bernie Sanders a Democrat?". PolitiFact. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
  4. ^ Cowan, Richard; Chiacu, Doina (2022-12-09). "Kyrsten Sinema leaves Democratic Party, adding drama to tight U.S. Senate margin". Reuters. Retrieved 2024-07-06.
  5. ^ "Shaun Filiault's Voting Records". Vote Smart. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
  6. ^ Green, Rick (June 14, 2023). "Another state rep joins Shaun Filiault in declaring as an independent". The Keene Sentinel. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
  7. ^ "Alyse Galvin". Iowa State University: Archives of Women's Political Communication. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
  8. ^ Woolsey, Robert (January 11, 2024). "After a blazing start last year, Rep. Himschoot expects a slower legislative pace in second session". KCAW. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
  9. ^ Dunker, Chris (May 5, 2023). "Nebraska Sen. Megan Hunt ditches Democratic label, registers as nonpartisan". Lincoln Journal Star. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
  10. ^ "Representative Jed Lipsky". Vermont General Assembly. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
  11. ^ Dew, Rob (January 10, 2023). "Sen. Mia McLeod leaving Democratic Party". ABC News. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
  12. ^ "HD36 winner Dan Ortiz chooses to caucus with minority". KSTK. November 24, 2014. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
  13. ^ "Representative Kelly Pajala". Vermont General Assembly. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
  14. ^ "Maria Perez's Voting Records". Vote Smart. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
  15. ^ Kisluk, Jessica (October 2, 2023). "New Hampshire state Rep. Maria Perez leaves Democratic Party, will serve remainder of term as 'undeclared'". WMUR. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
  16. ^ "Representative Bill Pluecker". Maine State Legislature. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
  17. ^ "2022 Environmental Score Card for the Members of the 130th Maine Legislature" (PDF). Maine Conservation Voters. p. 18. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
  18. ^ "Maine Legislative Scorecard Based on the Constitution". Freedom Index. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
  19. ^ "2023 Legislative Scorecard". Maine People's Alliance. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
  20. ^ "Legislative Scorecard". Maine AFL-CIO. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
  21. ^ "William Pluecker reelected to represent House District 95". Penobscot Bay Pilot. November 3, 2020. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
  22. ^ "Calvin R. Schrage – House District 25 Representative – Democratic Nominee" (PDF). State of Alaska Division of Elections. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
  23. ^ "Representative Laura Sibilia". Vermont General Assembly. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
  24. ^ Warren, Anthony (January 14, 2022). "'Toxic environment' | North Jackson lawmaker gives up party affiliation following redistricting vote". WLBT. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
  25. ^ "Biographical Directory of the U.S. Congress - Retro Member details".
  26. ^ Carbutt, John; Meredith, Joseph (1868). Biographical Sketches of the Leading Men of Chicago. Chicago, IL: Wilson & St. Clair. pp. 149–156.
  27. ^ "Chicago Mayors, 1837-2007". Encyclopedia of Chicago. Retrieved July 7, 2024.
  28. ^ Greeley, Horace; Cleveland, John F. (1860). A Political Text-book for 1860: Comprising a Brief View of Presidential Nominations and Elections: Including All the National Platforms Ever Yet Adopted: Also, a History of the Struggle Respecting Slavery in the Territories, and of the Action of Congress as to the Freedom of the Public Lands, with the Most Notable Speeches and Letters of Messrs. Lincoln, Douglas, Bell, Cass, Seward ... Etc., Touching the Questions of the Day; and Returns of All Presidential Elections Since 1836. New York: Tribune Association. p. 244.
  29. ^ "Party Division in the Senate, 1789–Present". United States Senate. Retrieved 2008-04-03.
  30. ^ "Flight of the Byrd". Time, Inc. March 30, 1970. Archived from the original on December 1, 2010. Retrieved September 28, 2007.
  31. ^ "Senators Who Changed Parties During Senate Service (Since 1890)". United States Senate. Retrieved 2007-09-28.
  32. ^ "Gov. Patrick Joseph Lucey". National Governors Association. Retrieved July 7, 2024.
  33. ^ Dardick, Hal (June 21, 2017). "Cook County Clerk David Orr won't seek 8th term". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved July 7, 2024.
  34. ^ "Vote for United States Senator". CT.gov. November 7, 2006. Retrieved July 7, 2024.
  35. ^ "MTP Transcript for Nov. 12", page 3, at Meet the Press site
  36. ^ "Senators of the 111th Congress: Joseph I. Lieberman". United States Senate. Retrieved 2009-12-05.
  37. ^ Biographical Directory of the U.S. Congress Archived 2010-04-23 at the Wayback Machine; specify "lieberman" in "Last Name" field
  38. ^ Aris, Hezi (January 26, 2011). "Independent Democratic Conference Members to Chair Legislative Committees". Yonkers Tribune. Archived from the original on February 11, 2017. Retrieved February 8, 2017.
  39. ^ Wang, Vivian (April 16, 2018). "As Session Resumes, a Democratic Truce in Albany Seems Uneasy". New York Times. Retrieved July 7, 2024.
  40. ^ Massie, Christopher (June 11, 2015). "Despite Claims, Bernie Sanders Hasn't Always Caucused With Democrats". Buzz Feed News. Retrieved July 7, 2024.
  41. ^ Detrow, Scott; Taylor, Jessica (February 19, 2019). "Bernie Sanders Launches 2020 Presidential Campaign, No Longer An Underdog". NPR. Retrieved July 7, 2024.
  42. ^ "Senator King to caucus with Democrats". WCSH. November 5, 2014. Archived from the original on November 5, 2014. Retrieved November 5, 2014.
  43. ^ 2023 Congressional Record, Vol. 169, Page S22 (January 3, 2023)
  44. ^ Warburton, Moira (March 5, 2024). "Independent Kyrsten Sinema will not seek reelection to US Senate". Reuters. Retrieved July 7, 2024.
  45. ^ "Ex-Miss America Mund's entry pushes Dem out of ND House race". AP News. September 6, 2022. Retrieved July 7, 2024.
  46. ^ Cole, Devan (April 25, 2022). "Utah Democrats throw support behind independent Evan McMullin to take on Mike Lee". CNN. Retrieved July 7, 2024.
  47. ^ Mueller, Eleanor (November 11, 2020). "GOP's Sullivan defeats Gross in Alaska Senate race". Politico. Retrieved July 7, 2024.
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