Nearly 200 independent candidates are running for the U.S. House of Representatives in more than 100 congressional races this fall. As of October 2026, Gallup data shows that 45% of U.S. adults identify as political independents, a record high. Despite this, only one independent, Rep. Kevin Kiley of California, currently serves in the House. Kiley, whose district leans Democratic, switched from the Republican Party and continues to caucus with Republicans.
Candidates running without a party affiliation cited varied motivations, including dissatisfaction with the "MAGA program" or the Democratic Socialists of America. In Colorado’s 1st District, physician Shimon Blau entered the race as an independent after Melat Kiros, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, defeated 30-year incumbent Diana DeGette in the Democratic primary. In Idaho, retired Air Force Maj. Gen. Sarah Zabel is running in a district that voted for Donald Trump by 45 points in 2024. Zabel stated she no longer felt represented by the Republican Party and seeks to provide "relief for the American voter."
Polling from PBS News, NPR, and Marist indicates that 53% of registered voters would support a Democrat if the election were held today, compared to 41% for Republicans. Among independent voters, Democrats hold a 25-point lead. The poll found that 45% of voters and 54% of independents say their vote is primarily to express opposition to Trump, while 24% of all voters and 12% of independents say they are voting to show support for him. John Opdycke, president of Open Primaries, noted that while independents are frustrated with Republicans, this does not necessarily indicate a permanent shift toward the Democratic Party.
For the average household, the focus of these campaigns reflects immediate economic concerns. Voters identified the economy, gas prices, and foreign policy as top issues. Current reporting shows inflation at 3.4%, and 34% of voters say their family finances have worsened over the past year. In households earning under $50,000, 44% reported experiencing financial hardship. Voters will notice the impact of these congressional contests in their local representation and how their representatives address specific issues like the ongoing war in Iran and trade tensions with Canada, which candidates say are driving voter frustration.
The midterm elections serve as a historical test for the sitting president’s party, which has lost an average of 27 House seats and three Senate seats over the last 90 years. While early voting by mail and absentee ballot is already underway in several states, the final determination of House control will occur on Election Day in November 2026. Experts like Lee Miringoff of the Marist Institute suggest that while a Democratic gain of a dozen seats is possible, a 40-seat shift is unlikely due to redistricting. Following the election, the new Congress will be seated in January 2027 to set the legislative agenda for the remainder of the presidential term.