|
We’d like to highlight more candidate endorsements this week. Adding to our slate of federal candidates are two Navy veterans who meet the standard we value at Forward Party.
They are John Gregory Vincent of South Carolina, running for U.S. House (SC-07) and Bob Smith of California, running for U.S. House (CA-24). They are on opposite coasts and opposite sides of the political spectrum, but both are running because they believe the communities they want to serve deserve representation that actually serves them.
John Gregory Vincent is running as a Democrat and Bob Smith is running as a Republican. As we have argued for years, the letter next to the name should not matter. Forward Party endorses candidates based on simple principles: are they prepared to serve their constituents, work with people who don’t share their politics and focus on delivering results rather than performing for their base?
In both cases, the answer is yes.
Meet John Gregory Vincent
Democratic Candidate — U.S. House
South Carolina’s 7th Congressional District
|
John Gregory Vincent spent 20 years in the Navy, retired as a Command Master Chief responsible for the welfare and training of service members across seven bases and five military branches, and came home to South Carolina to spend the next chapter of his career in service to his community.
He served on the Board of Directors of the Augusta Kiwanis. He is the Small and Minority Business co-chair for the Florence Chamber of Commerce. He is involved with the committee supporting the Veterans Park in Florence. And he has been sober for more than two decades, which he speaks about publicly and directly, working to reduce the stigma that keeps people from seeking treatment.
His campaign is built around four areas that reflect what he has heard in his district: affordability, jobs and small businesses and farms, schools, healthcare and veterans’ services, and government accountability and the federal budget. South Carolina’s 7th District deserves a representative who has spent his career studying what it means to serve. Vincent has been doing that work his entire life.
Meet Bob Smith
Republican Candidate — U.S. House
California’s 24th Congressional District
|
Bob Smith spent more than 26 years in the Navy as a combat veteran and engineer. He was named the U.S. Navy Engineer of the Year in 2023 and received the Humanitarian Service Medal for his work with international disaster relief operations. He is now running in California’s Central Coast with the same engineering discipline he brought to advanced weapons systems and international disaster relief.
His community engagement in California’s Central Coast has crossed partisan lines in ways that are not commonly seen. He has volunteered with his local Republican Party on data analysis and canvassing. He has also worked on his wife’s Democratic city council campaign. He coaches youth sports and mentors young athletes.
His campaign focuses on affordability, education, energy and water, immigration, and national defense. All are framed around their direct impact on the safety and economic security of Central Coast families. Bob’s approach to every problem he has ever faced is a testament to his training as an engineer: evaluate the options and put the best solution forward.
Why Forward Endorses Democrats and Republicans
The Forward Party is building a different theory of representation, one that answers to constituents rather than to partisan interests and is willing to work with whoever is serious about getting things done for the American people.
Forward Party’s Fulcrum Strategy leans on the argument that across the ideological spectrum, there are people who are more interested in governing than in performing on the stage of partisan theatre. This supports that approach in building a bloc of elected officials willing to act independently of party leadership on consequential votes, ultimately helping to shift the incentive in Congress away from party loyalty and toward earning support on the merits of legislation.
A Democrat from South Carolina and a Republican from California who share that operating principle are more aligned with what Congress is supposed to do than two members from the same party who vote in lockstep with their parties on every issue. That is the Forward Party’s primary premise. John Gregory Vincent and Bob Smith are this week’s evidence for it.
Both are the kind of people Congress is supposed to have more of, and currently has far too few of.
November 3rd is 61 days away. The Forward Party has candidates on the ballot in South Carolina, California, Ohio, Montana, New York, Idaho, South Dakota, Colorado, Minnesota, Utah, and across the country. Every one of them is evidence of the same thing: good representation does not require a party. It requires the right person.
|
|
In case you missed it, we had Rep. Kevin Kiley on the podcast last week with host Lindsey Drath for a discussion on leading with integrity in Washington.
Their conversations explore why experienced political leaders are stepping away from party labels, what voters are asking for, and whether independent candidates can offer a different approach to governing.
Click the image below to watch.
|
|
September 08, 2026 at 7:30pm Eastern
Please join our director of volunteer engagement Carrie Anne for a 30 minute rundown of all things Forward Party! Meet other volunteers, hear what’s happening in the committees and other states, and stay abreast of party news. This call is for any level of volunteer in any state, and is a great starting point if this is your first time getting involved!
September 10, 2026 at 6:30pm Eastern
Join the Forward Text Force, a group of dedicated volunteers working remotely to support our candidates and GOTV efforts. Each Thursday from 6:30-7:00pm ET from Sept 10th through election day, we will log on together to onboard, troubleshoot, and send text messages in community. We provide the script, support, and socialization with other volunteers, all you need to bring is your computer or phone!
September 10, 2026 at 8:00pm Eastern
Once again this campaign season we bring you Meet the Forwardists, a virtual opportunity to get to know some of the federal and statewide candidates we have endorsed this year.
Next week will feature candidates running for various levels of office across the country on the Forward Party ballot line.
If you’re tired of waiting for the system to fix itself — this is your moment.
👥 Volunteer | 🗳️ Run for Office | 💸 Donate | 🌐 forwardparty.com
|
|
Bob Chew the Forward Party candidate running for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by John Hickenlooper joins Colorado Point of View to discuss his campaign
As Sen. Emily Buss vies to hold on to the Forward Party’s highest-ranking elected position in the country, Democrat bows out to give her a better chance at keeping the seat out of the GOP supermajority’s hands
With 47% of voters nationally identifying as independent, Columbia businesswoman Lauren Pinkston wants to give voters who don’t identify with either major political party someone to vote for.
|
     
Copyright © 2026 Forward Party, all rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
1701 Rhode Island Ave NW, Washington, DC 20036, United States
Paid for by Forward Party and not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.
ForwardParty.com
|
|
|
|
