The Democratic Party is Pushing Away Independents

In a recent interview Rahm Emanuel (who is being pushed by David Axelrod to be the new chair of the Democratic National Committee) went on record saying what a promising democratic party candidate looks like to him: 

“I think independence is a streak that I’m going to look for. Give me somebody that ran against the grain, said publicly what people are thinking … so their independence is a quality that gives them kind of the anti-establishment, the anti-elite tone.”

In a new op-ed out in the Hill, Open Primaries President John Opdycke (a 30 year veteran in Independent politics and organizing) offers a direct response to Emanuel’s desire to appeal to independent candidates and voters. 

The gist? Emanuel’s absolutely right–independents are a gold mine, the future of American politics–but the Democratic party “hates independent thinking, independent organizations, independent voters and independent reform. It’s baked in. And unless the party adopts a new posture toward the broad independent movement and independent mindset, Rahm’s vision will remain a pipe dream.”

Read the full article. 

Let Unaffiliated Voter Participate in Maryland’s Primaries

The number of Maryland voters registered as unaffiliated has grown by 15% in four years. Nearly 22% of Maryland voters are now registered as unaffiliated. Yet Maryland remains in the small minority of states with fully closed primaries. 

Boyd K. Rutherford, the former lieutenant governor of Maryland during the administration of Governor Larry Hogan, has written a new op-ed in the Baltimore Sun on why the state must deal with the growing number of Marylanders shut out of elections:

Read the Full Article

Open Primary Advocates Must Embrace the Historic Principles of Change

2024 was a historic year for our movement: 7 state-level campaigns and one municipal, millions of voters declaring their support for open primaries, new leaders emerging across the country and primary elections for the first time at the center of the national reform debate. But with 6 out of 8 campaigns failing at the ballot box, it’s also an important moment of reflection. Open Primaries Senior VP Jeremy Gruber weighs in on how we need to embrace a core set of principles that have nourished every successful change movement in America if we’re going to grow into a winning movement ourselves:

It’s also time that funders and local and national activist leaders alike make–as Gruber puts it–a “grand bargain.” The same “grand bargain” that has fueled prior winning movements.

Read How in the Full Article in the Fulcrum here.

Politics, Primaries, and Polarization: What About the Oklahoma People? 

As we’ve shared previously, The Oklahoma Academy, a committed advocate for public policy education and civic engagement in Oklahoma, hosted a citizen Town Hall conference in Tulsa last month titled "Politics, Primaries, and Polarization: What about the Oklahoma People?" 

The event brought together a diverse group of citizens from across the state-Republicans, Democrats and independents, current and former elected leaders, business leaders, educators, students and everyday voters to learn, debate and discuss how to move Oklahoma forward.  

Now, they have unveiled bold recommendations coming out of this process aimed at transforming the state’s democratic processes moving forward. 

The top priority recommendation? Oklahoma moving to an open, unified election system inclusive of ALL Oklahomans:

Read Oklahoma Academy’s Full Report Here. 

Coming on the heels of a 2026 campaign launch to open Oklahoma’s primaries to ALL Oklahomans, things are really heating up in the Sooner state.

OPEN PRIMARIES EDUCATION FUND SPONSORS NYC FILM SHOWING OF THE LAST REPUBLICAN 

NEW YORKERS: Director & screenwriter Steve Pink (Hot Tube Time Machine, High Fidelity, Grosse Pointe Blank) is a progressive. Former Congressman Adam Kinzinger is a conservative (and a huge fan of Hot Tub Time Machine!). The two men share almost no political views. But Adam invited Steve into his life for two years, the result of which is an intimate and revealing (and often times hilarious) documentary that gives viewers an inside look at the Kinzinger’s “country before party” courage after January 6th, the hearings on Capitol Hill, and his subsequent banishment from the Republican Party.   

Watch the trailer

We’re hosting the premiere of the film on Friday January 3rd in New York City at the Film Forum.  After the premiere, John Opdycke will moderate an audience discussion with both Steve Pink and Adam Kinzinger.  

Purchase tickets  (Note:Enter Code OPENPRIMARIES at checkout to receive a discount and to let the theatre know you heard it from us)  

2025-2026 FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN UPDATE

The Open Primaries Education Fund is 70% of the way to reaching our end of year goal of $160,000 raised to go directly towards our 2025-2026 organizing efforts. 

ICYMI: we have a $50,000 matching gift from a long time supporter that is good until 12/31!  

In the next 4.5 days your tax deductible donation to the Open Primaries Education Fund will be DOUBLED–If you haven’t already, please consider making a contribution TODAY to help us hit our goal:

Have a great weekend and happy New Year! 

The Open Primaries Team