{"id":5778,"date":"2025-10-29T20:36:00","date_gmt":"2025-10-29T20:36:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/362-republican-for-virginia-lt-governor-john-reid-a-historic-run-for-a-gay-gop-candidate-debating-an-ai-opponent-personal-attacks-and-bullet-proof-vests-shutdown-insanity-troops-on-food-stamps\/"},"modified":"2025-10-29T20:36:00","modified_gmt":"2025-10-29T20:36:00","slug":"362-republican-for-virginia-lt-governor-john-reid-a-historic-run-for-a-gay-gop-candidate-debating-an-ai-opponent-personal-attacks-and-bullet-proof-vests-shutdown-insanity-troops-on-food-stamps","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/362-republican-for-virginia-lt-governor-john-reid-a-historic-run-for-a-gay-gop-candidate-debating-an-ai-opponent-personal-attacks-and-bullet-proof-vests-shutdown-insanity-troops-on-food-stamps\/","title":{"rendered":"362. Republican for Virginia Lt Governor John Reid. A Historic Run for a Gay GOP Candidate. Debating an AI Opponent. Personal Attacks and Bullet Proof Vests. Shutdown Insanity: Troops on Food Stamps. Team Rubicon Steps Up Again."},"content":{"rendered":"<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/playlist.megaphone.fm\/?e=ANA9437891392\" width=\"100%\" height=\"210\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>In this special episode of Independent Americans, your host Paul Rieckhoff (<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/PaulRieckhoff\"><u>@PaulRieckhoff<\/u><\/a>) is joined by his old friend and colleague, John Reid, who is now the Republican nominee for Lieutenant Governor of Virginia\u2014and the first openly gay candidate from a major party for statewide office in state history. John opens up about the cutthroat realities of running for office, the personal attacks he\u2019s faced, the real mental and physical risks in today\u2019s political climate\u2014including wearing a bulletproof vest on the campaign trail\u2014and why he believes fairness, respect, and honest debate are needed more than ever.<\/p>\n<p>They talk about food insecurity among military families during the federal shutdown, political hypocrisy in both parties, practical paths for bipartisan progress in Virginia, and the surprising story behind Reid\u2019s viral AI \u201cdebate\u201d with his Democratic opponent. Plus, John shares why he remains a Republican, how his campaign has inspired young people, and what gives him hope.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s a look at what it\u2019s like to run in 2025, what it\u2019s like to be openly gay in the Republican party, to run an outsider campaign, and what it takes to stand up for what you believe in. It\u2019s a respectful and candid conversation with two guys who disagree on some things\u2014 but agree on many more. Especially their love for their country.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Because every episode of Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff breaks down the most important news stories&#8211;and offers light to contrast the heat of other politics and news shows. Its independent content for independent Americans. In these trying times especially, Independent Americans is your trusted place for independent news, politics, inspiration and hope. The podcast that helps you stay ahead of the curve&#8211;and stay vigilant.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211;<a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/GlgG1VRjAlo\"><u>WATCH video of this episode.<\/u><\/a><\/p>\n<p>-Learn more about <a href=\"https:\/\/independentveteransofamerica.org\/\"><u>Independent Veterans of America<\/u><\/a> and all of <a href=\"https:\/\/independentveteransofamerica.org\/candidates\/\"><u>the IVA candidates<\/u><\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#8211;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.patreon.com\/independentamericans\/posts\"><u>Join the movement. Hook into our exclusive Patreon community<\/u><\/a> of Independent Americans. Get extra content, connect with guests, meet other Independent Americans, attend events, get merch discounts, and support this show that speaks truth to power.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>-Check the hashtag <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/search?q=%23LookForTheHelpers&amp;src=typed_query\"><u>#LookForTheHelpers<\/u><\/a>. And share yours.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>-Find us on social media or <a href=\"http:\/\/www.independentamericans.us\"><u><a href=\"http:\/\/www.IndependentAmericans.us\" rel=\"nofollow\">http:\/\/www.IndependentAmericans.us<\/a><\/u><\/a>. <a href=\"https:\/\/independentamericans.us\/merch\/\"><u>And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch<\/u><\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>-Check out other Righteous podcasts like <a href=\"https:\/\/thefirefighters.us\/\"><u>The Firefighters Podcast with Rob Serra<\/u><\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/unclemontel.us\/\"><u>Uncle Montel &#8211; The OG of Weed<\/u><\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/bdorm.us\/\"><u>B Dorm<\/u><\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led <a href=\"https:\/\/righteous.us\/\"><u>Righteous Media<\/u><\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Spotify: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/show\/0F1lzdRbTB0XYen8kyEqXe\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/show\/0F1lzdRbTB0XYen8kyEqXe<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Apple Podcasts: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/independent-americans-with-paul-rieckhoff\/id1457899667\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/independent-americans-with-paul-rieckhoff\/id1457899667<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Amazon Podcasts: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/music.amazon.com\/podcasts\/49a684c3-68e1-4a85-8d93-d95027a8ec64\/independent-americans-with-paul-rieckhoff\"><u><a href=\"https:\/\/music.amazon.com\/podcasts\/49a684c3-68e1-4a85-8d93-d95027a8ec64\/independent-americans-with-paul-rieckhoff\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/music.amazon.com\/podcasts\/49a684c3-68e1-4a85-8d93-d95027a8ec64\/independent-americans-with-paul-rieckhoff<\/a><\/u><\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p><strong>Ways to watch:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>YouTube: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@independentamericans\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@independentamericans<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Instagram: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/IndependentAmericansUS\/\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/IndependentAmericansUS\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>X\/Twitter:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/indy_americans\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/x.com\/indy_americans<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>BlueSky:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/bsky.app\/profile\/indyamericans.bsky.social\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/bsky.app\/profile\/indyamericans.bsky.social<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Facebook:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/IndependentAmericansUS\/\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/IndependentAmericansUS\/<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p><strong>Ways to listen:Social channels:<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p>Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href=\"https:\/\/megaphone.fm\/adchoices\">megaphone.fm\/adchoices<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In this special episode of Independent Americans, your host Paul Rieckhoff (@PaulRieckhoff) is joined by his old friend and colleague, John Reid, who is now the Republican nominee for Lieutenant Governor of Virginia\u2014and the first openly gay candidate from a major party for statewide office in state history. John opens up about the cutthroat realities&hellip; <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/362-republican-for-virginia-lt-governor-john-reid-a-historic-run-for-a-gay-gop-candidate-debating-an-ai-opponent-personal-attacks-and-bullet-proof-vests-shutdown-insanity-troops-on-food-stamps\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">362. Republican for Virginia Lt Governor John Reid. A Historic Run for a Gay GOP Candidate. Debating an AI Opponent. Personal Attacks and Bullet Proof Vests. Shutdown Insanity: Troops on Food Stamps. Team Rubicon Steps Up Again.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5779,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5778","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-episodes","entry"],"rttpg_featured_image_url":{"full":["https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/de31ff4262add92c4c417a8a2e932752.jpg",800,800,false],"landscape":["https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/de31ff4262add92c4c417a8a2e932752.jpg",800,800,false],"portraits":["https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/de31ff4262add92c4c417a8a2e932752.jpg",800,800,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/de31ff4262add92c4c417a8a2e932752-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/de31ff4262add92c4c417a8a2e932752-300x300.jpg",300,300,true],"large":["https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/de31ff4262add92c4c417a8a2e932752.jpg",750,750,false],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/de31ff4262add92c4c417a8a2e932752.jpg",800,800,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/de31ff4262add92c4c417a8a2e932752.jpg",800,800,false],"post-thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/de31ff4262add92c4c417a8a2e932752.jpg",800,800,false]},"rttpg_author":{"display_name":"admin","author_link":"https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/author\/admin\/"},"rttpg_comment":0,"rttpg_category":"<a href=\"https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/category\/episodes\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Episodes<\/a>","rttpg_excerpt":"In this special episode of Independent Americans, your host Paul Rieckhoff (@PaulRieckhoff) is joined by his old friend and colleague, John Reid, who is now the Republican nominee for Lieutenant Governor of Virginia\u2014and the first openly gay candidate from a major party for statewide office in state history. John opens up about the cutthroat realities&hellip;&hellip;","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5778","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5778"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5778\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5779"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5778"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5778"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5778"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}