📚 Summer school. Matt Van Epps holds 5 of seven stars — but fails a critical Article (Open Books). Assignment: summer school for Civics, watch every Schoolhouse Rock episode five times, and submit a one-page report — due before the end of the year. Report to summer school →
“…the property of the people.” — Cicero, De Re Publica
25.3% of receipts from PACs — over the 15% cap; fails the money floor. (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
No rhetoric toward opponents documented; limited public record as a December 2025 special-election winner.
60
4Fear Is Not Fuel
65%★ earned
“…the better angels of our nature.” — Lincoln, First Inaugural
Ran on an 'America First' theme; limited record makes affirmative-vs-grievance balance hard to assess (limited public record).
60
5Truth & a Kept Word
70%★ earned
“…living within the truth.” A representative owes “his judgment.” — Havel · Burke
No fact-check failures documented; too new for a votes-vs-promises track record (limited public record).
60
6Against the Spirit of Party
45%☆ not yet
“The baneful effects of the spirit of party.” — Washington, Farewell Address
Newly seated (Dec 2025) with no votes establishing independence; endorsed by Trump and party leaders (limited public record).
60
7Morality
75%★ earned
“The time is always right to do what is right.” — Martin Luther King Jr.
No ethics issues on record; decorated Army National Guard officer and former state commissioner. Default character score.
60
Engage Epps
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 Matt Van Epps? 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 →