Podcast Summary: Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff

Episode: Open Primaries Presents: Independent Veterans Are Spoiling For A Fight
Guests: John Opdycke, Ty Pinkens, Todd Achilles, Paul Rieckhoff
Date: February 17, 2026

Episode Overview

This bonus episode of Independent Americans brings together key voices from the emerging independent political movement: John Opdycke (Open Primaries), Ty Pinkens (Mississippi Senate candidate, Army veteran), Todd Achilles (Idaho Senate candidate, Army veteran), and host Paul Rieckhoff (founder, Independent Veterans of America). The discussion centers on why more veterans and ordinary Americans are pursuing political office as independents, how party politics have failed citizens, and the urgent need to reform both the two-party system and primary election laws. The episode is both a rallying cry for patriotic, independent leadership and a deep dive into the structural obstacles and cultural shifts needed to make it possible.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Why Independent? The Appeal for Veterans

• Veterans’ Unique Perspective (05:48)
  • Rieckhoff notes that veterans serve the country as a whole, not as partisans. Leaving the military, they're pressured to "pick a team," but many want to keep “America’s jersey” on.
  • “If America was a religion, veterans would be the clergy. Veterans are the keeper, keepers of the flame… they’re the least political people. And that’s why we need them right now.” – Paul Rieckhoff (07:07)
• Historic Parallels (09:10)
  • Jesse Ventura's win as Minnesota’s independent governor cited as proof of concept.
  • Story: Travis Endicott, a first-time independent mayor in a California military town, exemplifies how veterans’ service reflects in local victories.

2. Stories from the Front Lines: Why Run?

• Ty Pinkens’ Transition (10:57–13:51)
  • Moved from Democrat to Independent after experiencing both parties’ indifference to local injustices in Mississippi Delta (esp. unfair farm labor practices).
  • Describes successful lawsuits on behalf of exploited local workers.
  • "I feel like both political parties have failed us... both parties have their hands in the cookie jar and they can’t get it out. Money has been wrapped up in a straight jacket." – Ty Pinkens (13:29)
• Todd Achilles’ Experience (13:55–15:19)
  • Served in Idaho House as a Democrat, faced more hostility from Democrats than Republicans.
  • Idaho’s unaffiliated voters once made up 70% of the electorate—many forced to declare due to closed primaries.
  • "We just want pragmatic people… The only way to do that is as an independent.” – Todd Achilles (14:44)

3. Debunking the "Spoiler" Myth

• Turning the Narrative (16:05–18:55)
  • “The whole idea of a spoiler is a term… planted by both political parties, because they are terrified of independent candidates since Ross Perot garnered 20%.” – Ty Pinkens (16:23)
  • In states like Mississippi, Democrats haven’t won a Senate seat since 1982; running as a Democrat is itself a lost cause.
  • Independents increasingly winning mayoral and local elections (e.g., Colorado Springs, Chattanooga).
  • “To say they’re spoilers is ridiculously dismissive and insulting and also just not factually based.” – Paul Rieckhoff (19:43)

4. Why the Two-Party System Is Broken—And How Independents Change the Game

• Systemic Failure (10:57, 23:30)
  • Both parties are entrenched, rigid, and uninterested in local issues/"kitchen table" problems.
  • "The Democrat and Republicans is a stale placeholder that the two parties have created for people to feel safe… It's a tool and a resource that they use every election cycle to tell the side with the red shirt on that the blue side hates you… Don't focus on me as an elected official...focus on the other side." – Ty Pinkens (49:53)
• Open Primaries and Ballot Access (9:32, 62:47)
  • Rieckhoff highlights injustice: as a veteran, he can't vote in local primaries.
  • The panel agrees that open primaries are crucial for democracy and for giving independents and nonpartisan candidates fair access.

5. The Power of Independents: Political Leverage and Accountability

• Senate Math (31:22, 31:59)
  • With a split Senate, even a handful of independents could deny either party a majority, forcing negotiation and reform.
  • “If you want us to say we’ll allow you Democratic caucus to have a majority or you Republican caucus to have a majority, here’s a couple things that we want. We need to repeal Citizens United. We need to pass a law that says congresspeople cannot buy, sell or trade stock. We need to make Election Day a holiday. Simple stuff.” – Ty Pinkens (31:59)
• At Every Level—From School Boards to National Office (33:03)
  • Veterans and independents starting at the school board level help build a “farm team” for higher office and fight local fights (e.g., book bans).

6. Reflections on the Media, Messaging, & Movement Building

• Mainstream Media Fragmentation (35:56–38:04)
  • Media and pollsters resist recognizing independents, calling them “leaners.”
  • “I’m not going to be the stand-in for the Republican. I’m not going to be the stand-in for the Democrat. And it kind of fucks them up because they try their talking points on me.” – Paul Rieckhoff (36:29)
  • National media routinely ignore independent candidates; sometimes, profiles omit them entirely.
• Call to Action: Grassroots and Fundraising (40:21–43:34)
  • Achilles: “The best way to beat [big-money opponents] is with an army of volunteers… we’re going to win the ground game.”
  • Pinkens: “Not raising a whole bunch of money… that's a great talking point… I'm the one candidate that’s not taking money from these people.”
  • Veteran-to-veteran and local face-to-face engagement is seen as the best way to break through.

7. Electoral Reform, Coalitions, and the Future

• Coalition Building & Proportional Representation (54:47–56:05)
  • Pinkens explains that a handful of independents in the Senate could create legislative coalitions and function as a “fulcrum.”
  • Rieckhoff: Veterans are a powerful, trusted constituency; over 50% are now independents.

8. Voter Turnout and Ballot Access

• Voter Engagement (59:29–62:45)
  • The challenge is turning out centrist and independent voters, who often lack candidates to vote for.
  • “If we can break through that media wall… that 45% in that Gallup poll… converges on those independent candidates.” – Ty Pinkens (61:40)
• Ballot Access as a Barrier (62:47)
  • Both parties actively work to keep independents off ballots (e.g., Arizona attempts to ban use of "Independent" for party name).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Hope is the oxygen of democracy… I hope it continues to move our movement forward.” – Paul Rieckhoff (04:25)
• “If America was a religion, veterans would be the clergy.” – Paul Rieckhoff (07:41)
• “Spoiler? In Idaho, I'm clearly not the spoiler. There are twice as many unaffiliated voters as there are Dems.” – Todd Achilles (16:07)
• “The silent independent movement happening in this country...45% in that Gallup poll that recently came out, it means something.” – Ty Pinkens (32:20)
• “No matter what you think about Don Lemon, ...his arrest this week is very significant because he is independent media...that’s a message...that they want to shut down podcasters, anybody with a substack, anybody with a voice. So independent media, especially right now, is a really important and also under resourced part of our...landscape.” – Paul Rieckhoff (37:44)
• “You can leave the Democrats and Republicans and you don't have to join the other side.” – Paul Rieckhoff (51:50)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Intro to Guests: 02:20 – 04:06
• Why Veterans Are Turning Independent: 05:48 – 09:31
• Pinkens’ Story—From Law Practice to Litigation to Running: 10:57 – 13:51
• Responding to Spoiler Charges: 16:05 – 20:11
• Breaking the Two-Party Lock: 23:30 – 24:19
• Executive Power & War Powers: 25:20 – 29:40
• Independent Leverage in the Senate: 31:22 – 33:03
• Media Challenges for Independents: 35:56 – 39:36
• Fundraising & Grassroots Strategy: 40:21 – 43:34
• Defining Democrat, Republican vs. Independent: 49:04 – 50:57
• Ballot Access Obstacles: 62:47 – 63:20
• Final Closing & Calls to Action: 64:41 – 68:22

Calls to Action & Closing Suggestions

• Connect with Candidates:
  • Ty Pinkens: typinkens.com
  • Todd Achilles: achillesforidaho.com
• Support Open Primaries & Independent Veterans of America
• Amplify Independent Media:
  Hold mainstream media accountable—demand coverage for independents.
• Grassroots Matters:
  Spread the word in your networks; every conversation and every dollar counts.
• Engagement:
  Donate, sign up for email lists, encourage others, and involve yourself in local reform efforts.

Tone & Takeaways

The tone is candid, unvarnished, and energetic—frustration with the status quo is balanced by stories of grit and hope. The episode weaves a compelling picture of a movement in motion: veterans and average citizens who no longer feel served by "Team Red or Team Blue," fighting for a truly representative democracy. With practical campaign stories, sharp critiques, and moments of camaraderie and humor, the conversation is a vivid portrait of America’s growing independent spirit.

This summary captures the episode’s major themes, arguments, and memorable exchanges. Use it as a primer or a detailed reference for the growing independent movement and the role of veterans and open primaries in American political reform.