Army Veteran Todd Achilles- Idaho Independent for US Senate

Idaho's 2026 Senate race is heating up as Todd Achilles challenges the political establishment. Running as an Independent, Achilles argues that a "tank commander" mindset is exactly what's needed to end the debt, division, and dysfunction in D.C.. In this episode of Political No-Brainer, Jeff Rabinowitz explores the growing wave of independent dissatisfaction in the United States. Todd Achilles explains that while Idaho is often seen as a Republican stronghold, 70% of Idahoans were unaffiliated when the primaries closed in 2012, and current polling shows him leading the incumbent by three points among informed voters. The core of the Achilles campaign is the "Independent Five" strategy. By electing a small group of veterans who refuse to toe the party line, they intend to create a "fulcrum" in the Senate. This would allow Independents to set the agenda and force bipartisan compromise on issues like the national debt, which recently surpassed $39 trillion. Todd Achilles states, "Nobody gives a damn what your party affiliation is. It's a function of… can you do your job?" Achilles, drawing from his experience at T-Mobile and HP, targets what he calls "corporate socialism". He points out that the top three employers in Idaho—Walmart, Amazon, and McDonald's—often have employees relying on taxpayer-funded Medicaid because their hours are capped to avoid providing benefits. "The role of government is the welfare of the people. That's it.", Todd Achilles explains. To fix this, he proposes ACA 2.0, a reform that moves beyond simple subsidies to address the broken market and protect the 60% of Idaho hospitals that are rural and at risk of closure. Furthermore, Achilles highlights a historic "dry spell" in American democracy: we are in the second-longest period without a Constitutional amendment. He advocates for a "refresh" of the system through amendments that establish term limits, age limits, and a ban on gerrymandering, while overturning Citizens United to remove dark money from elections. What you will learn in this episode: [00:01:21] Why the two-party system is failing and the need for independent leadership. [00:04:12] The high percentage of unaffiliated and independent-leaning voters in Idaho. [00:08:40] The "Independent Five" strategy to become the legislative fulcrum in the Senate. [00:14:33] The reality of the $39 trillion national debt and the lack of fiscal accountability. [00:21:41] How big-box retailers use "corporate socialism" to shift healthcare costs to taxpayers. [00:26:30] The disproportionate impact of Medicaid cuts on rural Idaho hospitals. [00:35:30] The historical context of U.S. Constitutional amendments and why we need a "refresh" today. [00:40:12] The "tank commander" philosophy: why collaboration is a matter of survival. Todd Achilles represents a new breed of candidate: a veteran and business leader who believes that finding common ground isn't just a political goal, but a national necessity. Learn more at https://www.achillesforidaho.com/ @politicalnobrainer   @politicalnobrainer @polnobrainer   @politicalnobrainer politicalnobrainer.com