The Smerconish Podcast · Episode 2110 · November 11, 2026 · 41 min

Independent Voters Decided the Midterms. So Why Can't They Win Elections?

ndependent voters helped deliver a Democratic wave in the 2026 midterms, but why couldn't independent candidates win? Michael sits down with Heather Manchin, daughter of former Senator Joe Manchin and co-founder of the Independent Leadership Council, to examine the power of independent voters and the obstacles keeping them out of office. From open primaries and election reform to the future of third-party candidates, could independents finally break America's two-party stranglehold before 2028?