Former West Virginia senator Joe Manchin has launched the Independent Leadership Council, an organisation intended to recruit, fund and elect independent candidates to Congress. The effort reflects his long-standing argument that the two major parties have become too polarised, and could test whether candidates outside the Democratic and Republican parties can compete in closely fought races.

The council combines Americans Together, run by Manchin’s daughter Heather, with Independent PAC, led by former FreedomWorks president Adam Brandon. It plans to spend millions of dollars in competitive contests and has highlighted candidates including California Representative Kevin Kiley, Montana Senate candidate Seth Bodnar and Iowa House candidate Michael Bridgford. Its launch follows polling showing 45 per cent of Americans identify as political independents.