Independents Challenge Major Parties in 2026 Races

Independent candidates in several 2026 races are presenting themselves as alternatives to major-party politics. In New Hampshire, Paul Twomey and Becky Berk are challenging incumbent Republicans Clayton Wood and Cyril Aures, saying voters deserve a choice and criticizing partisan mudslinging; Aures says he and Wood are focused on limiting property-tax growth and school administrative costs. In Oregon, Clay Bearnson is running for a state Senate seat against Democrat Denise Krause and Republican Brad Hicks, emphasizing campaign-finance reform, expanded election access, affordability and health care. Three independent U.S. Senate candidates from South Dakota, Montana and Nebraska—Brian Bengs, Seth Bodnar and Dan Osborn—pledged not to caucus with either party and said they would support policies based on their states’ interests. Republicans disputed their independence, arguing they would effectively align with Democrats and could sacrifice influence in the Senate.