Mark Moran Leaves Democratic Party to Run as Independent in Virginia Senate Race
Mark Moran, a candidate for the Virginia Senate, announced on Thursday his decision to leave the Democratic Party and run as an independent. This information has been exclusively confirmed.
Moran, who is challenging the incumbent Democratic Senator Mark Warner, believes he embodies the entrenched system he aims to change. He revealed this shift in a video, filmed outside a historic church in Richmond, Virginia, where Patrick Henry delivered his famous “Give me liberty or give me death!” speech back in 1775.
The 34-year-old, who previously worked in finance and appeared on reality television, also shared his vision for policies aimed at prioritizing American interests and empowering everyday citizens over large corporations.
“I’m breaking away from the Democratic establishment. I’m running for the U.S. Senate as an independent,” Moran stated outside St. John’s Episcopal Church. He emphasized his commitment to country over divisive political issues. “This message transcends my own candidacy—it’s about the American mindset.” He expressed concern over the divisions that George Washington warned against.
He urged unity, stating that Americans can work together to reclaim their power, asserting that they can close borders, gain citizenship rights, and prioritize America and Virginia.
Moran also addressed pressing issues like the rising cost of living, pointing out that many Americans struggle to afford homes and healthcare while the U.S. spends money on wars abroad.
“Corporate interests dominate our lives,” he remarked, highlighting that over half of mortgage payments benefit banks rather than homeowners. He called for a fundamental restructuring of the economy to prioritize people’s needs, arguing that the original vision of the Founding Fathers is lost.
In a policy paper titled “Common Wealth,” Moran stated that the U.S. now runs more like a corporation than a republic, burdened by enormous debt. He suggested extensive reforms are needed, not mere tweaks, advocating for a managed restructuring of government similar to a Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
“I’m running as an independent not to join a board of directors but to instigate change on behalf of the American people, who are the true shareholders,” he wrote, framing the situation like a corporate failure. He posited that Warner is akin to the CEO of a failing business, while the voters are the shareholders voting this November.
Among his proposals is what he calls the “20/20 plan” aimed at improving homeownership. This plan seeks to replace the traditional 30-year mortgage with a 20-year government-backed option, offering fixed interest rates and aiming for complete home ownership within two decades.
Moran argues that the existing mortgage system benefits banks and traps countless families. He contended that the U.S. must prioritize property rights and adapt to changes in economic reality.
He also supports replacing federal income tax with a sales tax, which he argues would more fairly tax consumption rather than income. This way, the wealthy would pay their fair share based on what they consume, eliminating the loopholes currently exploited.
While in the Democratic Party, Moran was vocal about his discontent with party policies, especially regarding gun control and gerrymandering, which he referred to as tyrannical. He won’t participate in the Democratic primary set for August, focusing instead on the November general election against Warner.
Moran has plans to travel extensively across the state in a 2014 Corvette, which he dubbed the “Transparency Machine.” His goal is to drive around 50,000 miles by November, in an effort to connect directly with voters while positioning himself as a stark contrast to Warner.
He noted that his vehicle is similar to NASCAR icon Dale Earnhardt’s race car, sponsoring small businesses rather than corporate entities, emphasizing his independent funding source.
