On December 17, Drew Robinson, the incumbent sheriff of Martin County, North Carolina, said he will run next year as an independent candidate. He has never before run for Sheriff; he is the incumbent because he was appointed in January 2025.

Martin County is in eastern North Carolina. In November 2024, its vote for president for the major parties was: Republican 54.8%; Democratic 44.5%.

Robinson will need to gather signatures equal to 4% of the number of registered voters as of January 2026. His petition is due in May 2026.

On December 17, four Republican members of the U.S. House broke with their own party and signed the discharge petition so that the House can vote on extending Obamacare premium subsidies. See this story. The four include three Pennsylvanians and one New Yorker. They are Brian Fitzpatrick, Rob Bresnahan, Ryan Mackenzie, and Mike Lawler.

All four congressmembers are from states with closed primaries.

Over and over, opponents of closed primaries preach that closed primaries produce extremist politicians.

Independent Indiana, a new group, will lobby to eliminate the straight-ticket device that Indiana has had since 1889. It will also work for easier ballot access. See this story.