These days, Seth Haskin often puts on a puff-sleeved linen shirt under an 18th century waistcoat, breeches fastened just below the knee, long socks and buckle shoes that make a distinctive clip-clop when he walks.

The outfit is meant to remind people of the Founding Fathers and evoke their idea of limited government, which the 26-year-old supports.

Haskin’s day job is managing his family’s coffee shop business but this year he’s been vying for another position: independent congressional representative for Southwest Florida. While campaigning, Haskin also carries an old-school bell.

“Getting their [people’s] attention is the biggest battle that most candidates have,” Haskin said. “But especially independent or no party candidates.”

Independent congressional candidate Seth Haskin in Naples, Fla., posing for his campaign on Sept. 3 in his typical outfit of a puff-sleeved linen shirt under an 18th century waistcoat.

Tyler Haskin/Seth Haskin for Congress

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Tyler Haskin/Seth Haskin for Congress

Some could dismiss Haskin’s attire as a stunt, and they may write off other independent candidates the same way. Sarah Zabel, 61, an independent candidate for Idaho’s western district, said that view is outdated.

“Independents used to be a curiosity or a protest or a single issue,” said Zabel. “Now, with the parties having gone to such extremes, independents are the necessary relief for the American voter.”

At a time when 45 percent of adults identify as political independents — a record high — and just a handful of tight races will decide control of Congress, the 173 independents running for the House this fall will test how big the political middle really is, and whether people who identify as independents will vote for one.

Despite the significant chunk of Americans identifying as independents, right now just one independent serves in the House: Kevin Kiley. The congressman whose newly redrawn California district leans Democratic, switched from Republican to independent while in Congress and continues to caucus with Republicans, reported Politico.

Some candidates said they were always independent, others said their political beliefs didn’t change, but their parties did. While some are confident about winning, others said even a double-digit share of the vote will show both parties that it’s time for change.

Providing an alternative 

Zabel, who is running in a deep-red district in Idaho, describes herself as a “heritage Republican,” or someone who used to be a Republican and adheres to conservative values. But since 2018, during the first Trump administration, she stopped feeling in line with the Republican party and the “MAGA program.”