37 Independent Candidates Win in Local Elections in May 2024

So far this month, 37 independent, people-powered, and anti-corruption candidates have won their local elections across 11 states. Each of these candidates is GoodParty.org Certified, meaning they have pledged to run clean campaigns and serve their communities with integrity once elected to public office.

Here, we’ll break down these 37 victories and provide insights on how the independent movement continues to gain momentum.

Celebrating 14 Independent Wins in Texas

On May 4, 2024, 14 independent, people-powered, and anti-corruption candidates won their races in local elections across the state of Texas. 

Three candidates won local elections for city council:

• Justin Boudreau in Simonton, Texas

• Richard Fleming in Carrollton, Texas

• Winston Rossow in Freeport, Texas

Ten candidates won local elections for school board:

• Dalia Begin in Grapevine-Colleyville, Texas

• Alicea Elliott in Athens, Texas

• Amanda Erebia in Galena Park, Texas 

• Albert "AJ" Johnson III in Alvin, Texas

• Kelly Marwill in Eanes, Texas 

• Dallas Pipes in Boerne, Texas 

• Andrew Riddle in Sharyland Independent School District

• Danielle Swiney in Alvin, Texas

• Alan Watson in Hamilton, Texas 

• Joyce Wilkins in Stafford, Texas 

Finally, Joseph Jernigan won the Libertarian Party’s primary election for the South Carolina House of Representatives, District 111.

In total, 51 GoodParty.org Certified candidates competed in elections across Texas on May 4. Altogether, these candidates received 79,169 votes. School board candidates came away with the highest rate of victory, with 52% of independent school board candidates winning their elections.

All of the above candidates had access to GoodParty.org’s free campaign tools and community support, elevating their campaigns and helping propel them closer to victory. Nine candidates also took advantage of GoodParty.org’s Pro tools, which include access to voter data, SMS text banking, and dedicated expert support. 

Finally, Albert “AJ” Johnson III, Alicea Elliott, and Danielle Swiney all participated in GoodParty.org’s P2P text banking program, using this cost-effective voter outreach strategy to reach voters ahead of election day. Three additional candidates who used the P2P texting program also came within close reach of victory: Erica Garland (who earned 49.61% of the vote), Cory Denena (who earned 48.31% of the vote), and Lilyan Carillo (who earned 46.82% of the vote).

Celebrating Nine Independent Wins in Delaware, Maryland, Nebraska, New Jersey, and West Virginia

On May 14, 2024, nine more independent, people-powered, and anti-corruption candidates won their local elections in Delaware, Maryland, Nebraska, New Jersey, and West Virginia.

These winners include:

• Sean Barnes, candidate for city council in Ocean City, New Jersey

• Reed Byers, candidate for school board in Cabell County, West Virginia

• Braydan Goff, candidate for school board in Mingo County, West Virginia

• John “Marty” Martin, Jr., candidate for school board in Capital School District, Delaware

• Donald Sansom, candidate for magisterial judge in Mingo County, West Virginia

• Adam Wolfe, candidate for family court judge in West Virginia, Circuit 12

In addition, these candidates won their primary elections and are advancing to general or run-off elections:

• Nick Batter, candidate for Nebraska State Senate, District 13

• Erica MacFarland, candidate for school board in Anne Arundel County, Maryland

• Jason Taylor, candidate for Douglas-Sarpy Learning Community Council in Nebraska

One candidate to highlight in particular is Braydan Goff, who not only won his election at just 19 years old, but also defeated an incumbent candidate. A local paper, the Mingo Messenger, called this victory “one of the most atypical upsets in Mingo County Board of Education voting history.” Goff’s win is a testament to the power of grassroots movements to elect younger and brighter leaders into office.

Celebrating 13 Independent Wins in Georgia, Kentucky, Massachusetts, New York, and Oregon

On May 18, 2024, GoodParty.org Certified candidate Katrina Delaney won her election for school committee in Pembroke, Massachusetts.

Then, on May 21, 2024, 13 more independent, people-powered, and anti-corruption candidates won their local elections in Georgia, Kentucky, Massachusetts, New York, and Oregon. Seven of these candidates won general elections, and six advanced from primary elections to general or run-off elections.

The following candidates won their races in general elections:

• Hannah Arnette, candidate for chief magistrate in Upson County, Georgia

• Anthony Gutierrez, candidate for city council in Kennesaw, Georgia

• Kristin Hanlon, candidate for school board in Bibb County, Georgia

• Tarece Johnson-Morgan, candidate for school board in Gwinnett County, Georgia

• Allan Motenko, candidate for school committee in Sharon, Massachusetts

• Kim Strong, candidate for school board in New Hartford, New York

• Melissa Torregrossa, candidate for school board in Connetquot, New York

These GoodParty.org Certified leaders will all go on to serve their communities with transparency and accountability.

In addition, the following candidates won their races in primary elections, and will advance to general or run-off elections:

• Chris Barnett, candidate for county commission in Josephine County, Oregon

• Kim Menke, candidate for city council in Georgetown, Kentucky 

• Stephen Price, candidate for city council in Georgetown, Kentucky

• Rachel Stone, candidate for school board in Gwinnett County, Georgia 

• Caitlin Tudor, candidate for city council in Georgetown, Kentucky

• Shana White, candidate for school board in Gwinnett County, Georgia

These six candidates’ general or run-off elections are scheduled to take place on November 5, 2024. Want to learn more and support these candidates in their upcoming elections? Click the links above to go to each candidate’s campaign website and learn more about their platforms.

Building Momentum for the Independent Movement

Together, these candidates are going beyond just serving their local communities. They are also building momentum for the larger independent movement. Every local independent victory makes it more viable for independent candidates across the country to run for office, win their elections, and serve their communities.

GoodParty.org is proud to provide free and low-cost campaign tools and resources for independent, non-partisan, and third-party candidates across the United States.

Do you know someone who is running for office, or are you considering running for office yourself? Let’s get in touch, so we can give more independent candidates access to the tools they need to win their local elections!