“Independents” are Democrats who thinks calling themselves “independent” makes it so.
I’m an independent who used to be a Republican until they disgusted me so much I quit the party. More of the people who self identify as independent are conservatives than not. Many of us have given up on the GOP. I re-engaged last year to rid us of Eric Cantor and I am enthused by Dave Brat’s success. If Ted Cruz gets nominated, I may become a Repubican again.