17. Nate Smolensky

17. Nate Smolensky

Nathan Smolensky is a longtime independent strategist and the founder of UniFire Consulting, a firm dedicated to providing the strategic infrastructure and messaging for independent political candidates. His focus is on bringing a business mindset to create effective, positive messaging, empowering them to speak powerfully to their campaign platform, viability, and impact proposition while maintaining their authentic voice. He is the author of Common Ground from the Ground Up [https://www.amazon.com/Common-Ground-rethinking-relationships-democracy/dp/B0FJHCGRTK] (2025), which explores how collaborative discourse can make us better advocates for our beliefs, help us heal relationships, and repair the American political landscape. Currently based in Florida, Nathan works with candidates around the nation and takes pride in serving as a connector within the independent space. When not in the “trenches” of a campaign, Nathan enjoys food, chess, and trivia. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.independentsforamerica.com/subscribe [https://www.independentsforamerica.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

16. Jay Doyle ... Mayor, Georgetown, SC

Disillusioned with the two major political parties, Jay Doyle decided to run for Mayor of Georgetown, SC as a Forward Party candidate. He was elected Mayor in November 2025 began serving his four-year team in January 2026. Jay and his wife, Suzanne, moved to Georgetown 16 years ago and immediately fell in love with all that is Georgetown. He has been engaged with the community from the onset and shared the concerns that many citizens regarding the direction of our city. Georgetown is a community with rich history and potential, yet faces several challenges that need immediate attention, particularly, in crucial areas such as job creation, affordable housing, development, and overall growth. Many of these challenges are daunting but his motto has always been “If there is a will, there is a way.” Jay was born and raised in Massachusetts, where he spent his formative years surrounded by family as one of eight children. After completing high school, he briefly attended Northeastern University but soon realized that traditional college education was not the right path for him. This realization led him to embark on an entrepreneurial journey, ultimately starting his own construction business, which successfully thrived for an impressive 25 years. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.independentsforamerica.com/subscribe [https://www.independentsforamerica.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

15. Brian Vincent

Mayor Brian Vincent, is is a proud Independent who is running for reelection under the Forward Party banner. Brian was first elected to serve as Mayor of Farmville in 2022. Prior to January 1st 2023, Mayor Vincent served as the town councilman of Ward B from July 2018 to December 2022. He is a graduate of Tabb High School in Yorktown, VA and holds a B.A. in Geography/GIS from Concord University in Athens, WV. Mayor Vincent runs a family business on Main Street in Farmville, Appomattox River Company, alongside his father-in-law. He has served on the Board for the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources since 2017. The mayor’s wife, Harriet, is a Farmville native and local Nurse Practitioner. They have two school-aged daughters, Martha Lucy and Eliza. In his spare time, Mayor Vincent enjoys exploring the outdoors, paddling rivers with his family, reading widely, and testing his physical and mental limits. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.independentsforamerica.com/subscribe [https://www.independentsforamerica.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

14. Laura Downs, City of Falls Church, VA

Laura Taddeucci Downs was elected to the Falls Church City (VA) Council in a special election in November 2024 to complete a former council member’s unexpired term. She is seeking re-election this Fall for a full, four-year term. Prior to her election to City Council, in November 2019, Laura was elected to a four-year term on the School Board for Falls Church City Public Schools. While on the School Board, Laura helped the schools navigate the COVID-19 pandemic and oversaw the construction of the system’s brand-new, 120M LEED Gold-certified Meridian High School. Laura served as Vice Chair for one year and then as Chair for two years on the School Board. School Board members were elected publicly in Falls Church City beginning in 1994. In the 30 years since, Laura is one of only six FCC residents who have been elected to both the School Board and the City Council, and the only female to do so. Before her public service, Laura served in several volunteer leadership roles: Falls Church Elementary PTA President, Henderson Middle School PTA President, President of the GW Alumni Association, and Board member of the Falls Church Education Foundation. Laura’s professional career has been in the field of Higher Education Administration. She worked at George Washington University as Executive Director of Student Life and also received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from GW. Laura grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, and moved to Falls Church City, VA, in 2009 with her husband, Christian, and their four sons. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.independentsforamerica.com/subscribe [https://www.independentsforamerica.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

13. Jennifer Passey, Fairfax City Council

Jennifer Passey has been an active resident in the City of Fairfax since 2010, when she moved there with her husband and four boys. She was elected and served two terms on the Fairfax City Council beginning in 2017. During her time on the City Council, she focused on improving communication between City Hall and residents as well as strategic economic development and environmental initiatives. With her leadership, the City implemented its first composting program in 2018. Prior to her election to City Council, she served on the City’s Planning Commission (2011-14), the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board (2012-14) and the Country Club Hills Civic Association from 2010-12. In 2021, Jennifer was selected as the City of Fairfax Woman of Influence. Jennifer is an issue advocacy and communications professional with more than 20 years of experience in Washington, DC; Dhaka, Bangladesh; and New Delhi, India. Originally from Blaine, Minnesota, Jennifer moved to the Washington Metropolitan Area to attend The George Washington University, where she received her bachelor’s degree in Religious Studies and, later, her master’s degree in Political Management. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.independentsforamerica.com/subscribe [https://www.independentsforamerica.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]