The Smerconish Podcast Gallup Drops a Bombshell: Independents Now Dominate American Politics
Jan 13, 2026
A recent Gallup survey reveals a surprising truth: independents now outnumber both major parties in America. Host Michael Smerconish analyzes why the media has overlooked this trend and its profound implications for elections. He discusses demographic shifts, especially among younger voters, and how many independents lean towards the Democrats. The conversation gets heated with listener calls exploring what it truly means to identify as independent, the growing rejection of polarizing ideologies, and the challenges independents face in local politics.
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Independents Are Now The Largest Group
- Gallup found a record 45% of U.S. adults identify as political independents in 2025.
- Independents now outnumber both Republicans and Democrats, who each registered 27%.
Headline Framing Hid The Independent Story
- Gallup's traditional headline emphasized party leaners, which masked the plurality of independents.
- Michael Smirconish argues the top-line question answer should be the primary headline, not the follow-up lean question.
Younger Generations Lean Independent
- Younger generations are much more likely to identify as independents than older cohorts.
- Majorities of Gen Z and millennials self-identify as independents, while only about a third of boomers and 30% of the silent generation do.
