The truth is that, by any normal definition, Republicans are far right and Democrats are centre right.

If you actually wanted to run a progressive platform, then running as an Independent might be your only choice.

In the UK at least, most Independent candidates run single-issue platforms. Hartlepool famously elected a guy dressed as a monkey as mayor, he ran on a platform of “free bananas for school children”. He did so well as mayor, they elected him two more times.

Another costumed independent, Count Binface (an intergalactic space warrior who wears a dustbin on his head) beat the far-right Britain First party in the London Mayoral election (although sadly didn’t win the actual mayorship).