My Fellow Independent American Patriots,
I write this letter with a heavy heart but with deep gratitude for the journey we have shared.
The Independent American Patriots began as the Independent American Party in 1993, founded in Utah by Will Christensen, Wayne Hill, and John Poulson. Inspired by Ezra Taft Benson’s speech “The Proper Role of Government”, the party grew from a state affiliate to a national organization in 1998. For over 25 years, it championed constitutional principles (life, liberty, property, traditional families, patriotism, and national sovereignty), fielding candidates, raising awareness, and earning votes in presidential and state races. In 2012 and 2016, our presidential candidates appeared on ballots in multiple states. At its peak, the Utah affiliate alone had over 80,000 registered members.
In February 2023, I was elected National Chairman of a party that had become severely behind on federal obligations and was, in many ways, a shell of its former self. With the passing of our founders in 2021, non-compliance with FEC filings, and expired corporate status in several states, the National and Executive Committees voted unanimously on July 4, 2023, to dissolve the political party structure and reorganize as the Independent American Patriots Private Membership Association (IAP PMA). This was a deliberate, member-driven decision to move beyond the constraints of party politics and focus on education, self-sufficiency, and community resilience under the protections of the First and Fourteenth Amendments.
We finalized our governing documents (Articles of Association, Membership Agreement and Charter of Rights, Bylaws, Ordinances, & Expectances) in June 2025 and ratified them at our Members Convention on July 10, 2025. We secured a Wyoming virtual office, a new EIN, and began operating as a non-statutory compliant private membership association. For a time, it felt like a new beginning.
Yet the economic realities of the past few years proved too difficult to overcome. Inflation, rising costs of food, housing, and energy have strained nearly every American family, including my own. As a disabled veteran on a fixed income, I have personally witnessed how these pressures have made even basic membership renewals and donations difficult for many. Despite our best efforts to reduce expenses to the bare minimum ($120 per month plus ~$1,200 in annual fixed costs), and despite Leslie and me covering the lion’s share of those costs out of pocket for years, the organization has not generated enough member support to sustain itself. We have reduced operations to an absolute minimum, but with current treasury balances under $400 and no meaningful influx of new memberships or donations in recent drives, we simply do not have the resources to continue as we have.
We also recognize that other independent voices continue their important work. The first state Independent American Party, the Nevada affiliate (the oldest in the movement), is doing well and working effectively with the Constitution Party. I recently spoke with the new chairman of the Utah State Independent American Party, who expressed support for our common ground in the future. He affirmed their commitment to being an independent voice in Utah, and we wish them well in their endeavors. These state parties operate independently, and we respect their paths as we have pursued our own.
Before closing this chapter, we wish to express our profound gratitude to Freedom Books. Founded by our late founder Will Christensen and lovingly managed by his daughter after his passing, Freedom Books generously offered its remaining inventory to help sustain the IAP. Though our difficult financial situation ultimately prevented us from fully utilizing or retrieving the collection, we remain deeply thankful for the box of materials they sent us, which we were able to distribute to members who expressed interest. This act of goodwill and shared commitment to patriot principles will not be forgotten.
We also extend our heartfelt thanks to every member who supported the National Independent American Party and the Independent American Patriots over the years—through your time, your donations, your encouragement, and your shared belief in our mission. Your contributions helped keep the flame of liberty burning far longer than it might have otherwise. We are especially grateful to those who stepped up to help over the years; ultimately, this came down to an issue of funding and bad timing, considering the current economic conditions.
To those who courageously ran for President, Congress, Governor, or local office under the Independent American Party banner (and to those who, in some cases, continue to strive to represent the people to this day) we offer our deepest admiration. To every patriot who picked up a sign, bought a bumper sticker, attended an event, donated a dollar they could scarcely spare, or simply showed up for a meeting: you are the quiet backbone of this movement. You represent the 45% of Independent Americans who see through the left-right red herring and understand that both sides have too often taken away rights and impoverished the people. We are profoundly thankful to those who showed up for town halls and get-togethers or sat through preparedness classes, quietly building the knowledge and community that will matter most in the days ahead. You are the true Independent American Patriots who will survive and thrive when the American people finally turn away from the destruction wrought by the political parties.
After careful consideration and consultation with the remaining stewards, we have reached an agreement to preserve the IAP PMA’s legacy rather than allow it to fade entirely. THE PAMPHLET LLC (my family’s publishing company) has agreed to acquire and steward the remaining operations for at least the next four years. This transition will allow us to maintain the website, archive our history and principles, and keep the IAP PMA’s mission alive through educational content, pamphlets, and resources focused on the Founding Fathers, constitutional governance, and patriot values. Leadership within the IAP retains its stewardship roles during this memorialization or stasis period, but day-to-day operations are suspended unless interest and funding pick up. We believe the principles of the Independent American Patriots will be well represented by The Pamphlet LLC in the future as they continue to work to present the Principles of the Founding Fathers in historical pamphlets that remind us of where we come from so that we can deal with the challenges of today. It is not a dissolution of the PMA itself, but a private stewardship transition that honors our governing documents and gives the organization the best chance for future revival if interest returns.
In the coming days, we will provide clear instructions on how members can stay connected:
– Subscribe to THE PAMPHLET’s newsletter for updates, historical content, and educational materials that carry forward the IAP mission.
– Ways to support the IAP legacy through donations or purchases that help sustain the archive and future publications.
While this chapter ends in its current form, the principles we fought for (liberty, self-sufficiency, faith, virtue, law, knowledge, and constitutional governance) do not. Those principles live on in each of you and in the work, we will continue our fight through THE PAMPHLET.
To every member who stood with us through the years, through campaigns, reorganizations, and challenges, thank you. Your support, your emails, and your shared commitment meant everything. We are proud of what we built together, even if the path forward looks different than we hoped.
We will continue to fight for the vision of independent American patriots in the ways we can. The light may be dim for a time, but it has not gone out; in fact, it is often darkest before dawn. Stay vigilant.
With deepest gratitude and hope for what is yet to come,
Lonny Ray Williams
Last National Chairman, Independent American Party (2023–2025)
President, Independent American Patriots Private Membership Association (2025–2026)
Independent American Patriots
C/O THE PAMPHLET
PO Box 351
Republic WA
99166
