Wondering how a major political figure walks away from power, and what that says about the system behind the scenes?

This episode unpacks Tim Walz’s decision to step aside in Minnesota and how allegations around daycare funding brought to light by YouTuber Nick Shirley have cracked open a wide-open governor’s race. You’ll see how partisan spin quickly takes over moments like this, and why independent thinking matters when facts, accusations, and political incentives collide. Hosts Chad Peace and Cara McCormick break it down with real-world context, including what an open seat could mean for a Jesse Ventura-style independent run. We drop new episodes each week. You can read more and follow along at IVN.us.

Chapters:

00:00:00 – Welcome to 2026 and the Return of Independent Voter

00:05:00 – Tim Walz Steps Aside and Minnesota’s Open Governor Race

00:07:30 – Could an Independent Win Again Like Jesse Ventura?

00:09:45 – The Minnesota Fraud Allegations and Oversight Failures

00:12:30 – When Scandals Become Wedge Politics

00:13:55 – Venezuela, Maduro, and the Politics of Intervention

00:20:35 – What Slips Through While the News Is Distracted

00:21:35 – The USPS Postmark Change That Affects Voting and Taxes

00:29:40 – California’s Voter ID Initiative and Ballot Language Games

00:44:05 – Alaska, Ranked Choice Voting, and the Fight Over Power