Michael Bridgford

Michael grew up on a family farm just outside the Quad Cities that his family homesteaded in the 1830s. Long before he understood politics, he understood work—power-washing hog buildings in the summers and waking up before school on bitterly cold winter mornings to help with chores. He also learned what uncertainty meant. The farm crisis wasn't abstract in his house; it forced his family out of hog farming and nearly cost their land.

Michael is a proud product of public schools, graduating in a high school class of just 88 students. He worked his way through college on scholarships, student loans, and an internship at John Deere— a path that took him to Northwestern for an MBA. Over the years, he's worn suits and safety vests and been on both sides of the table, as an employee and small business owner, making tough decisions and learning valuable lessons.

Michael is not a politician. He's voted for and registered for both parties. And like nearly half of the country – he's done with both parties. His candidacy is taking off on a national level with recent endorsements from Andrew Yang and Joe Manchin, noted Independent voices who agree with Michael that a new approach is needed to save America from its partisan self.