How to Run for Congress as an Independent in 2025

Wondering how to run for Congress and make a difference on the national stage? If you're fed up with political gridlock, corporate influence, and a system that seems more focused on partisan loyalty than real solutions, you're not alone. Americans across the country are calling for change, and more than ever, everyday people are stepping up to deliver it.

Running for Congress, whether for the House of Representatives or the Senate, is one of the most powerful ways to create that change. And if you're not tied to the two-party system, your Independent voice might be exactly what your community is waiting for.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about running for office at the congressional level: qualifications, deadlines, costs, strategy, and how to build a campaign that connects and competes.

What Does It Mean to Run for Congress?

The United States Congress is the legislative branch of the federal government. It’s made up of two chambers: the House of Representatives and the Senate. Both play a major role in shaping the laws and policies that affect our lives every day, from healthcare and education to infrastructure and climate policy. Congress is where laws are made, budgets are set, and national priorities are defined. 

If you're elected, you won’t just be casting votes. You’ll be giving voice to your district or your state in the most powerful legislative body in the country.

The two congressional chambers are:

• The House of Representatives, where each of the 435 members represents a congressional district and has a two-year term.

• The Senate, where each of the 100 Senators represents their entire state for a six-year term.

Most candidates running for Congress come from the Democratic or Republican parties, but that doesn’t mean you have to. In fact, with nearly half of all Americans identifying as Independent, third-party and Independent candidates have a growing opportunity to offer something different, something more people-powered, more transparent, and more focused on real issues, not party politics.

Who Can Run for Congress?

The U.S. Constitution sets just a few basic eligibility requirements for federal office.

To run for the Senate, you must:

• Be at least 30 years old.

• Have been a U.S. citizen for at least 9 years.

• Be a resident of the state you want to represent.

To run for the House of Representatives, you must:

• Be at least 25 years old.

• Have been a U.S. citizen for at least 7 years.

• Be a resident of the state you’re running in. You don’t have to live in the specific district, but it’s usually a good idea, and most candidates do.

There’s no education requirement, no political party requirement, and no prior experience required. In fact, a study by Truel and Porter found that between 40% and 52% of new House members after 2015 have no previous experience in an elected position. However, many members of Congress began their political careers in local or state-level elected roles, like city council, mayor, or state legislature. 

Some states may have additional administrative steps or party affiliation rules to gain ballot access, too. We’ll cover that next.

LEARN MORE: Use GoodParty.org’s election look-up tool to find out exactly what’s required in your district.

How to Get on the Ballot

While major-party candidates typically benefit from automatic ballot access, Independent candidates usually have to earn their place through a combination of paperwork, petitioning, and persistence. 

Exact rules may vary by state, but the process often includes four major steps:

1. File a Declaration of Candidacy

This is your official notice that you're running for Congress. You'll submit this form to your state’s election office or the Federal Election Commission (FEC), depending on the office you're seeking. In some states, you’ll also need to declare your Independent status or party preference (if any).

2. Collect Petition Signatures

This is the most labor-intensive part of the process, but it’s also a powerful grassroots opportunity. You’ll need to gather a set number of signatures from registered voters in your district or state. 

The exact number of signatures you need depends on your state’s laws and the level of office you’re running for. For instance, in Illinois, an Independent U.S. House candidate needs signatures equal to 5% of the total votes cast in the last election for that district, which often works out to thousands of names. In contrast, major-party candidates usually need far fewer.

Planning ahead is key. You may only have a narrow window to collect signatures after filing opens, so start early, train your volunteers, and triple-check state formatting rules to make sure every signature counts.

LEARN MORE: See how many signatures you need to get on the ballot.

3. Submit Filing Fees (if required)

Some states require you to pay a filing fee to appear on the ballot, typically ranging from $100 to over $3,000. A few states let you waive this fee if you collect more petition signatures. For instance, to run for Senate in Texas, you’d need to pay a filing fee of $5,000, or you can file a petition with 5,000 signatures to waive the fee. To run for House in Texas, the filing fee is lower — only $3,124 — and you can waive it with 500 signatures. 

Budget for your filing fees early and consider looking for small-dollar donors who are excited to help get your name in the race to help cover the cost.

4. File Financial and Campaign Disclosures

Federal law requires candidates to designate a campaign treasurer and report any contributions or expenses, even if you’re self-funding. Your state may have additional disclosure requirements, so check early and file on time to stay compliant with financial management regulations. Don’t forget to open a campaign bank account to keep your funds separate. 

Getting on the ballot can feel overwhelming, especially without the backing of a major party. But for Independent candidates, it’s also your first chance to build name recognition, talk to voters face-to-face, and prove you’re serious about challenging the status quo.

How Much Does It Cost to Run for Congress?

Running for Congress is expensive, but there are ways to do it smarter and more efficiently, especially as an Independent.

The total cost for congressional races in 2024 was $10.3 billion, including money spent by outside influence groups, political parties, and Super PACs (political action committees). 

In general, Senate races tend to cost more than House races:

• The most expensive Senate race for 2024 was in Texas, with a combined total of $198.2 million spent, not including money from outside influence groups. 

• The most expensive House race in 2024 was in Virginia, with a combined total of $25.6 million spent, not including money from outside influence groups.  

Independent candidates often rely more on grassroots strategies and digital tools to cut costs. Additionally, candidates can opt for running a publicly funded campaign by adhering to state-specific stipulations, like raising a certain amount of money from small-dollar contributions and accepting limitations on their spending.  

LEARN MORE: See how much it costs to run for office.

How to Start Your Campaign for Congress

Launching a congressional campaign might seem daunting, but every strong campaign starts with a simple choice: showing up. If you’ve got the courage to run, you’ve already taken the first step. So, now that you’ve confirmed that you’re eligible and ready to run, the next question is: how do you actually launch a campaign for Congress? 

The truth is, your campaign starts long before you shake a single hand or hang a single sign. It starts with clarity: figuring out who you are, why you’re running, and how you’ll build support from the ground up.

Here are the first steps to starting a congressional campaign that stands out:

1. Define Your “Why”

Before you choose colors for your lawn signs or open a donation link, get grounded in your motivation. 

Ask yourself:

• What issues matter most to you and your community?

• What’s broken about the current system, and how would you fix it?

• Why are you the right person to represent your district or state?

Your “why” becomes the backbone of your campaign message and helps voters connect with your story. The strongest campaigns are led by candidates with a clear purpose and a powerful reason to serve.

It’s also important to determine if Congress is the right office to run for right now. The policies you’re passionate about may be able to be tackled in more local or state-level elected roles, and those positions are typically less competitive, less expensive, and more accessible. Additionally, serving in a local or state-level elected position can be a good jumping-off point for a congressional bid down the road. 

LEARN MORE: Use our free template to narrow down your “Why I’m Running” statement. 

2. Listen Before You Lead

Start having conversations with friends and family, and with voters, community leaders, and organizers in your area. 

Ask:

• What do you wish your current representative understood?

• What challenges are most pressing here?

• What kind of leadership is missing?

These conversations will help you shape a platform that resonates and show voters that you’re not just running for office, you’re running with them in mind.

3. Build a Core Team

You can’t do this alone, but you don’t need a massive staff to get started. Focus on assembling a small team of trusted people who believe in your mission and bring useful skills to the table.

Early team roles might include:

• Campaign Manager: Oversees your strategy and timeline

• Treasurer: Handles finances and reporting

• Communications Lead: Manages your message and media

• Volunteer Coordinator: Helps recruit and organize grassroots support

Even if your team starts with just two or three people, make sure roles are clear and that everyone is committed to the long haul.

LEARN MORE: Learn how to build a lean political campaign team. 

4. Outline Your Game Plan

A campaign without a plan is just a passion project. 

Start sketching out:

• Your fundraising strategy

• Voter outreach goals

• Key dates (filing deadlines, primary elections, events, etc.)

• Digital strategy (website, email list, social media)

You don’t need all the answers now, but a roadmap is crucial. Building a campaign calendar early will help you stay focused and avoid last-minute scrambles.

LEARN MORE: Keep up the momentum and don’t miss a step with our campaign checklist.

Fundraising Strategies for Independent Congressional Candidates

Running for Congress isn’t cheap, and most of the money for many candidates comes from major donors, corporate PACs, and party machines. But you don’t need millions to run a competitive campaign, even as an Independent. 

What you need is a smart, grassroots-driven strategy that matches your values and your community’s support.

Some ways to make that happen:

1. Embrace Small-Dollar Donors

Forget chasing big checks. Focus on building a broad base of everyday supporters who chip in $5, $20, or $100 each. Look for people who believe in your message and want to be part of something bigger, and make it easy to donate through online donation platforms, a donation link on your website, and QR codes on your mailers. 

A campaign with 1,000 donors giving $25 each raises $25,000 and creates 1,000 people more likely to vote, volunteer, and spread the word.

Set up a simple online donation page, add a recurring gift option, and start inviting people to join your movement.

2. Run Low-Cost, High-Impact Events

You don’t need a fancy ballroom to host a fundraiser. 

Try:

• Neighborhood meetups

• Coffee shop Q&As

• Online town halls

• Community BBQs or potlucks

Make your campaign events personal, approachable, and purpose-driven. Every event is a chance to raise money and connect directly with voters.

LEARN MORE: Explore how to plan campaign events that work. 

3. Sell Campaign Merch 

From t-shirts to bumper stickers and yard signs to mugs, campaign merch can raise money and build visibility. It gives your supporters a way to rep your message proudly and puts your name in front of more voters.

Use a print-on-demand service or local vendor to minimize upfront costs.

4. Get Creative With Digital Outreach

Grassroots fundraising lives online now. Some crucial steps to ensuring you’re using digital outreach to your advantage include: 

• Building a simple campaign website 

• Collecting emails and phone numbers from day one 

• Using peer-to-peer text messaging 

• Posting consistent social content with donation links 

Remember that people are more likely to give if they understand why you’re running and how their donation helps. Personalize your outreach at every opportunity. 

LEARN MORE: See how you can get 5,000 free texts for your Independent campaign.

5. Look Into Public Financing or Matching Programs

Some states and cities offer Clean Elections programs that match small-dollar donations with public funds. If you qualify, these programs can multiply your impact and help level the playing field.

Check your state’s campaign finance site or ask your local election office about available programs.

6. Stay Compliant and Transparent

You’ll need to register with the FEC (or your state’s election office), track every dollar you raise and spend, and submit regular financial reports. Transparency may be a legal requirement, but it also builds trust with voters.

Appoint a campaign treasurer early and consider using digital tools to track your campaign finances.

LEARN MORE: Learn everything you need to know with our ultimate guide to political fundraising.

Final Steps: Election Day and Beyond

Election day is the culmination of your hard work, but your journey doesn't end when the polls close. Whether you win or lose, the actions you take on and after election day can have a lasting impact on your political future and your community.

Going into election day, remember to:

1. Mobilize Your GOTV Efforts

Ensure all volunteers are briefed, assigned to polling stations, and equipped with necessary materials. Use phone banking, text messages, and social media to remind supporters to vote. Offer rides to polling places for those who need them.

LEARN MORE: Explore seven proven GOTV tactics.

2. Monitor Polling Stations

Use trained poll watchers to monitor voting processes and report any irregularities. Have legal counsel on standby to address any issues that may arise.

3. Real-Time Data Tracking

Keep track of voter turnout in key precincts to adjust GOTV efforts as needed. Also, be prepared to respond to any last-minute issues or misinformation swiftly.

Post-election, acknowledge the outcome. If you win, thank your supporters and outline your plans moving forward. If you lose, concede graciously, thank your team, and express your commitment to your cause. Send personalized thank-you notes or emails to volunteers, donors, and supporters, and host an event to celebrate the campaign's efforts and foster community. Continue to engage with your community and advocate for your platform.

Remember, every campaign is a learning experience. The relationships you've built and the lessons you've learned will serve as a foundation for future endeavors in public service.

How Hard Is It to Win a Congressional Seat?

Let’s be honest: running for Congress as an Independent or first-time candidate is an uphill climb. But it’s not impossible.

Here’s the reality: in 2024, 95.5% of congressional incumbents were re-elected. Most major-party candidates enter the race with fundraising infrastructure, name recognition, and party endorsements already locked in.

But here’s the other reality: Americans are hungry for something new.

Trust in Congress is scraping rock bottom. Only 22% of Americans say they trust Washington to do what is right always or most of the time. And, with 43% of voters now identifying as Independent (more than either Democrats or Republicans), the gap between representation and reality is a wide-open opportunity. Additionally, civic engagement is less than ideal right now in the United States: only 46% of eligible voters cast a ballot in the 2022 midterm elections, meaning more than half the country stayed home. Engaging just a few thousand new or disillusioned voters could swing a House seat, especially in low-turnout districts.

So, how do you compete?

The most successful campaigns start by thinking local, building trust, and gaining experience in stages. If you’re not quite ready to launch a congressional bid, you can build your leadership skills, name recognition, and voter base through down-ballot positions like:

• City council

• County commissioner

• School board

• State legislature

These local and state-level offices are more accessible, often non-partisan, and give you a chance to create meaningful change right where you live. In fact, many members of Congress started out serving in state legislatures or local government before running for federal office.

But if your community is ready for new leadership now, and you’re ready to stand up, running for Congress can be a bold, viable, and necessary next step.

LEARN MORE: Understand why turnover in Congress is so rare.

Real Examples: Independent and Third-Party Congressional Candidates

The two-party system might dominate the headlines, but across the country, Independents and third-party candidates are challenging the status quo and showing voters that there's another way.

Here are some real-world examples to remind you: it can be done.

Bernie Sanders (Vermont)

Long before becoming a national figure, Bernie Sanders won a seat in the U.S. House as an Independent in 1990, after running and losing four previous campaigns. He went on to serve in Congress for over 30 years, most recently as an Independent U.S. Senator. While Sanders caucuses with Democrats, he’s remained officially unaffiliated.

Angus King (Maine)

Angus King, an Independent and former governor of Maine, was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2012 and re-elected in 2018. He’s built a reputation as a pragmatic problem-solver who puts Maine’s interests ahead of party politics.

Justin Amash (Michigan)

Originally elected as a Republican, Justin Amash left the party in 2019 and became the first Independent member of the House in decades. While he chose not to seek reelection in 2020, his break from party lines sparked a renewed conversation about independence in Congress.

Terry Crandall (Arizona)

A 2024 Independent congressional candidate in Arizona, Terry Crandall ran a grassroots campaign powered by community engagement and GoodParty.org’s free tools. Crandall focused on transparency, local issues, and rejecting corporate PAC money, proving that challengers can build momentum outside the party system.

LEARN MORE: Read more about Terry Crandall’s Independent campaign.

Independents Empowered by GoodParty.org in 2024

In the 2024 cycle, several Independent candidates empowered by GoodParty.org ran for Congress, each bringing a unique perspective and people-powered platform to the race.

They ran on principles like:

• Accountability

• Community-first policies

• Rejection of dark money and backroom deals

These candidates joined the thousands of Independents who ran for office at all levels of government in 2024. Altogether, 3,444 Independents empowered by GoodParty.org won their elections in 2024.

These Independent candidates didn’t have party machines behind them. They had purpose, persistence, and a plan. Whether you're running in a rural district, a purple battleground, or a deeply blue or red state, remember: Independent voices are gaining ground. If they can do it, so can you.

Your Congress, Your Country, Your Move

Running for Congress isn’t just a personal decision. It’s a public declaration that democracy should belong to the people, not just the parties.

You don’t need a political pedigree, a war chest of corporate money, or a national spotlight to run a meaningful, competitive campaign. You need clarity, courage, and a plan. 

Whether you’re aiming for the House or the Senate, whether this is your first campaign or your next bold move, remember: you’re not alone, you’re not powerless, you’re not late. You already have what it takes to run. Now all that’s left is to begin.

At GoodParty.org, we’re here to help. GoodParty.org offers free, non-partisan campaign tools to help you:

• Create a campaign website

• Organize volunteers

• Send texts and emails

• Craft compelling messaging

• Track tasks and deadlines

If you're ready to run for office as an Independent, we’re ready to stand with you. 

Photo by Ian Hutchinson on Unsplash