“…the property of the people.” — Cicero, De Re Publica
12.4% of receipts from PACs — clean under the 15% cap, and no corporate leadership PAC. (FEC 2026)
60
2Free & Fair Electionscritical
82%★ earned
“The ballot is stronger than the bullet.” — Abraham Lincoln
No 2020 election denial, no fake-elector role, and no documented support for partisan gerrymandering. (Jan 6 roll call; OpenSecrets; redistricting record)
60
3The Dignity of the Opponent
68%★ earned
“Treat humanity … always as an end and never as a means only.” — Kant
Measured, corporate public tone; no prominent record of dehumanizing rhetoric toward opponents.
60
4Fear Is Not Fuel
65%★ earned
“…the better angels of our nature.” — Lincoln, First Inaugural
Message mixes affirmative economic themes with some grievance framing; no dominant fear brand.
60
5Truth & a Kept Word
62%★ earned
“…living within the truth.” A representative owes “his judgment.” — Havel · Burke
Residency was contested: he listed a Connecticut address and lacked a Pittsburgh homestead exemption while claiming Pennsylvania roots (Philadelphia Inquirer).
60
6Against the Spirit of Party
45%☆ not yet
“The baneful effects of the spirit of party.” — Washington, Farewell Address
First-term senator voting largely along Republican party lines; no documented costly break.
60
7Morality
74%★ earned
“The time is always right to do what is right.” — Martin Luther King Jr.
Former Bridgewater CEO; no corruption finding on record (residency is a truthfulness rather than corruption issue).
60
Engage McCormick
Every public channel, one click. Hold them to it — warmly, in the register of right speech.
This review is offered freely and openly to correction. A challenge is considered only when it states a specific reason and links to sources that substantiate it — an assertion without evidence is not reviewed.
Are you David McCormick? An official named in a review may answer it by phone rather than in writing. Confirm it's you and we'll arrange a call.
Scores are Independent 2026’s own editorial read against the Seven Articles — ≥60% earns the star. The first two Articles are critical: fail Open Books or Free & Fair Elections and there is no seal, whatever else holds. Each Article carries its founding quote as the yardstick. On bias →