Jan 3, 2023
The United States has two major political parties: Democratic and Republican. Ask an American voter which one she or he sides with, and the most likely answer is: “neither.”
Recent polls say at least 4 in 10 Americans identify as politically independent, even if they tend to “lean” Republican or Democratic on the issues. Only 3 in 10 identify as Democrats and the other 3 in 10 identify as Republicans. The Gallup polling organization calls this a “near historical low” for both major parties.
In 2016, Tom Campbell, a five-term former Republican congressman, made the difficult decision to leave the party and become an Independent. The move was bold and inspiring, and it sparked a growing interest among voters in California who are dissatisfied with partisan politics.
His willingness to leave partisan politics behind shows how people can make a difference even when they no longer hold public office, their experiences, and expertise to inform public policy decisions.
Tom joined in a call to discuss his experiences and the five key issues affecting the Country today.
Tom Campbell teaches Law at Chapman University and is the Chair of Common Sense California (CACommonSense.org), an organization focused on creating an independent party in California.