Agree Where You Can 08/29/2026

This week we are focusing on the work being done in Minnesota. Eight legislative candidates stood together at the Minnesota State Capitol last Thursday and made a public commitment to govern across party lines after Election Day.

Minnesota Forward Together, a coalition of DFL, Republican, Independent and Forward Independence legislative candidates, committed to working across party lines to solve problems for their constituents instead of trying to score political points

They did not promise to agree on everything. They are promising to put their constituents ahead of their party and find common ground wherever they can.

The Forward Party has been talking about the Fulcrum Strategy at the federal level all year. The argument is you don’t need a majority of independent senators or representatives to change how Congress works. You need enough members who are independent from the control of either party to hold the balance of power on votes that matter.

Minnesota Forward Together is that argument: built at the state level with eight candidates standing together who are running for office right now.

A note for readers outside Minnesota: The DFL (The Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party) is Minnesota’s Democratic Party. It was formed in 1944 through a merger of the Minnesota Democratic Party and the Farmer-Labor Party, which had been a powerful independent political force in the state since the 1920s.

The DFL name reflects Minnesota’s long tradition of coalition politics, the same tradition that Minnesota Forward Together is drawing on.

It also reflects the work and growth of the MN Forward Party that formed through a merger last year. The Independence-Alliance Party of Minnesota and the Minnesota Forward Party merged to form the Forward Independence Party of Minnesota. The merged organization is bringing candidates together that share our values and ultimately driving more choices in front of the voters. 

So when you see DFL candidates committing to govern alongside Republicans and independents, it is worth knowing that the party itself was founded on the principle that different political movements could come together around shared values.

Politicians from different parties sharing a stage and making this pledge reflects the current stage of our democracy. It reflects that this kind of promise has grown uncommon among our representatives. Putting the needs of constituents first should be expected of our state and federal leaders. What makes Minnesota Forward Together significant is the timing.

These candidates are making a public pledge before they are elected. They are choosing accountability now and presenting their intentions to voters before they are safely in office.

They are publicly announcing to the people of Minnesota that they are better served by legislators who talk to each other than by legislators who perform for their base.

The Bigger Picture

Minnesota Is the State-Level Version of What We’re Building Nationally.

The Fulcrum Strategy in the U.S. Senate says a small bloc of genuinely independent senators, two to  three members who answer only to their states and not to either party, can hold the balance of power in a closely divided chamber. Neither party can pass anything without them. That changes the incentive structure for everyone. Legislation has to earn their vote on the merits, not on party loyalty.

Minnesota Forward Together is enacting a model of that strategy with a cross-partisan coalition of state legislators who have committed publicly to governing together. Pledging to agree where they can, and disagree where they must, is a vehicle for changing how a state legislature operates. In an evenly divided state house like Minnesota currently has, this coalition would be incredibly powerful in advocating for principled reforms.

The principle is identical. You don’t need a majority. You need a committed coalition that refuses to be owned by either side. Minnesota Forward Together is what that looks like when eight people decide to do it before they even win. Imagine what it looks like when they do.

What does it take to govern effectively when you leave the traditional party system behind? On this episode of The Forward Party Podcast, host Lindsey Drath sits down with independent Congressman Kevin Kiley 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.

Recruitment Training: How to talk about Forward

August 31, 2026 at 7:30pm Eastern Time 

Ready to help Forward Party grow? This training will give you the tools and confidence to talk about our mission with others in a way that actually connects. We’ll go over a party status update so you feel knowledgeable, values to talk about, and a formula for creating your own Forward story. Whether you are already active as a volunteer or brand new to the movement, there is something for everyone in this training. Build the future, and bring a friend! 

UNLV Fall Involvement Fair 

September 02, 2026 at 10:00am Pacific  

Come meet the UNLV Forward Party at the Fall Involvement Fair! Whether you are interested in politics, civic engagement, leadership, or simply want to meet students passionate about creating a healthier democracy, we would love to connect with you 

Young Forwardists Introduction 

September 03, 2026 at 5:00pm Eastern 

Join members of the Young Forwardists as they introduce you to the Forward Party and how you can get involved in our pivotal movement to make politics better. Whether you are a Democrat, a Republican, or anything in between, there’s a place in the Forward Party for you.

Learn about how you can get involved with the Young Forwardists by joining our Young Forwardists Introduction Meetings! These introductions occur every month (1st and 3rd Wednesday, 2nd and 4th Saturday).

If you’re tired of waiting for the system to fix itself — this is your moment.
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