Podcast Summary: Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff

Episode: Can This Independent Win a Deep Red District the Democrats Can’t? Firefighter Mike Thurow Independent for Congress in Wisconsin’s 6th

Date: February 20, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode of Independent Americans spotlights Mike Thoreau (sometimes spelled "Thurow"), a Milwaukee Fire Captain and independent candidate for Congress in Wisconsin’s 6th District—a solidly Republican area. Host Paul Rieckhoff explores why Thoreau is running as an independent, his background as a union firefighter, the district’s unique challenges, and his stances on key issues like immigration, foreign policy, and the failures of both major parties. The conversation underscores the wider appeal of independence, the shifting priorities in service unions, and the rise of candidates outside the two-party system.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introducing Mike Thoreau and the Independent Movement

• Mike is a Milwaukee Fire Captain, raising four kids in the same district where he grew up, running in a district that hasn’t elected a Democrat since the 1960s.
• Rieckhoff frames the moment as “Firefighter Friday,” emphasizing the unique perspective and values first responders bring to politics.

2. Mike’s Background and Motivation to Run

• Background:
  • Born and raised in Mequon, Wisconsin.
  • Son of a Navy veteran and instilled with a sense of duty (“…the only way [America] stays [the greatest country in the world] is people show up and actually do the work.”) [07:27]
  • Was disqualified from joining the military due to childhood asthma.
  • Worked five years in healthcare outreach for the homeless before joining the fire department.
  • Progressed from volunteer to union firefighter, then eventually Captain, running a hazmat team and engine company in Milwaukee.
• Why Run:
  • Frustration with Congress: “Congress has been run by two parties that don't seem really interested in making sure working people have a voice.” [06:01]
  • Belief in nonpartisan service: “When there's a fire, you don't pick who to save. You show up and do the work.” [Intro]

3. Defining Independence and the State of Unions

• Thoreau defines independence as putting country over party:
  • “I'm not interested in what some kind of party boss tells me I have to think... What this country's supposed to be about is compromise, making things work. That's why I'm independent.” [09:54]
• Observations about fire service and unions:
  • Claims the fire department is “really strongly independent” with both conservative and Democratic leanings, but significant frustration with both parties, particularly at inaction from Democrats on labor support. [11:20–14:14]

4. District Dynamics & Possibility of Winning

• Wisconsin's 6th District is historically Republican, yet “more than being a red district or blue district, we're basically a district that's fed up and wants an off ramp from this two-party system…” [15:45]
• Thoreau will likely face just a Republican and a Democrat on the general ballot. Emphasizes dissatisfaction with both parties, especially how corporate interests and the offshoring of jobs have hurt the region’s manufacturing and agricultural base.

5. Policy Views & Response to Specific Issues

a) Immigration and ICE Expansion

• Thoreau is critical of ICE’s ballooning budget and lack of accountability:
  • “Their budget is on par with Turkey's military... with no accountability.” [17:27]
  • “When I go on a fire scene, I let everybody know. We need to show empathy. We need to make sure that we're respectful, and we need to be professional, because that's how we maintain trust. That's how I keep my crew safe when we go out, and that's how we do our job effectively. You lose that trust… we can't do our job.” [17:27]

b) Law Enforcement & Due Process

• Supports enforcement of immigration laws but opposes militarized, unaccountable tactics:
  • “That's terrifying. My kids come home scared. If that comes back to our streets, that's gonna leave a mark on all of our children.” [19:25]
  • “ICE needs to be held to that same account [as local police].” [19:25]

c) War Powers and Foreign Policy (re: Trump and Iran)

• Strongly believes Congress must reclaim authority over war:
  • “The role of Congress is to declare war. If we're going to do this, we need to make sure we have all the subject matter experts, show us why this is in our interest to put our sons and daughters in harm's way.” [21:54]
• Warns against unilateral executive action:
  • “Going along with this because he wants to strike versus actually the intelligence says we need to strike, is dangerous in a huge degree.” [21:54]

d) On Trump, Economic Populism, and Accountability

• Thoreau recognizes why people supported Trump—frustration and desire to be heard—but criticizes the lack of follow-through on core promises (“That's not law and order. That's a frustration for a lot of Americans on both sides of the aisle.” [23:36])
• On tariffs: sees a place for them, but only strategically, not capriciously—especially to protect local workers, not hurt them.
• Aims to hold any president accountable:
  • “The most patriotic thing you can do is call out when we're falling short of our principles. So anytime he [Trump] falls short of the principles he told America he was running on, I will gladly call him out because that's the patriotic thing to do.” [23:36]

6. Campaign Strategy, Ballot Access, and Volunteers

• Plans to qualify for the ballot through collecting at least 1,000 signatures (from district voters)—“very doable.” [29:01]
• Leans on community roots and fire service network; excited support from labor.
• Continues working as a firefighter and sole breadwinner for his family while campaigning.
  • “I'm used to sleep deprivation, been doing it for a while. So I think it's gonna be a lot of, a lot of coffee is my plan.” [29:37]
• No corporate PAC money; he’s running a “people-powered campaign.” [31:07]
• Calls for volunteers not just locally, but from the broader firefighter and independent communities.

7. Representation for First Responders & 9/11 Healthcare

• Rieckhoff emphasizes the need for first responder advocates in Congress, citing delays and neglect in responders’ health care after 9/11. [31:55]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “When there's a fire, you don't pick who to save. You show up and do the work.” – Campaign slogan, echoed throughout the episode (Intro/06:01)
• “Congress has been run by two parties that don’t seem really interested in making sure working people have a voice.” – Mike Thoreau [06:01]
• “What this country's supposed to be about is compromise, making things work. That's why I'm independent.” – Mike Thoreau [09:54]
• On ICE:
  • “Their budget is on par with Turkey's military... with no accountability.” [17:27]
  • “We need to have trust with the community. That's the only way we operate.” [17:27]
• On Trump’s possible military action:
  • “To prop it up on the whim of one person without making sure Congress is holding them accountable doesn't keep us strong...” [21:54]
• On running as an independent in a red district:
  • “We're basically a district that's fed up and wants an off-ramp from this two-party system that just hasn't worked for anybody.” [15:45]
• On representing the working class:
  • “It's easy to talk. Actually making things happen for people is how we judge people in the fire service.” [11:20]
• On the energy needed for his campaign:
  • “I'm used to sleep deprivation… A lot of coffee is my plan.” [29:37]

Important Timestamps

• [05:15] – Thoreau describes his background, family, and journey to firefighter.
• [09:54] – Why Thoreau is running as an independent; definition of independence.
• [15:45] – The current political makeup of the district and broader voter frustration.
• [17:27] – Thoreau takes a strong position on ICE expansion, accountability, and how it affects his community.
• [21:54] – Response to Trump’s potential unilateral military action; discussion about war powers and Congressional oversight.
• [23:36] – Thoreau elaborates on his critique of Trump and the disconnect between campaign promises and action.
• [29:01] – Explains ballot access requirements as an independent; signature strategy.
• [29:37] – Balancing firefighting, family, and a campaign.
• [31:07] – Thoreau’s campaign operational philosophy and call for grassroots support.
• [31:55] – Rieckhoff addresses the need for first responder representation in Congress.
• [32:58] – Light-hearted endnote: Brewers baseball and hometown connections.

Conclusion & How to Get Involved

Mike Thoreau’s candidacy is framed as an emblem of the growing independent movement and the shifting mood among working Americans disillusioned with both political parties. His campaign prioritizes community service, worker rights, and practical solutions—anchored in the firefighter ethos of showing up and doing the work, regardless of party labels.

Get involved:

• Visit thoreauforcongress.com to donate or volunteer.
• Signature-collection effort for ballot access begins in April.
• Campaign is people-powered: “not taking any corporate PAC money.”

The Independent Americans Podcast continues to shine a spotlight on candidates bridging divides and advocating for pragmatic, principled public service—encouraging listeners to join the independent movement and stay engaged.