In recent weeks, we have shared news about the candidates running, the signatures gathered, and forward momentum for independents this cycle. This week, we’re focusing on the fight to make sure independent candidates can even get that far. The Forward Party announced support for a lawsuit against the State of Texas this week, and we want you to understand why.

81,030 is the key number here. That is the number of valid voter signatures Texas requires an independent statewide candidate to collect, with only 30 days to do it.

The Forward Party is officially supporting Texas independent candidate for Lieutenant Governor Mike Collier who filed a lawsuit challenging the state’s ballot access requirements for independent statewide candidates. It was filed in cooperation with the Center for Competitive Democracy.

Here’s what Texas law actually requires: an independent candidate for statewide office must collect more than 81,030 valid voter signatures. That alone would be a serious challenge for any campaign, but Texas adds another twist. Independent candidates are legally prohibited from beginning that signature collection process until after the partisan primary runoff elections have concluded.

This year, that meant the clock didn’t start until May 26th, when Texas’s primary runoffs wrapped up. Independent petitions are due June 25th. That leaves independent candidates just 30 days to collect more signatures than most statewide campaigns gather in six months.

It gets more restrictive. Texas law also sharply limits who is allowed to sign an independent candidate’s petition. Any voter who participated in a party primary or runoff election is disqualified from signing an independent candidate’s petition.

Combine a pressed 30-day timeline with a shrunken pool of eligible signers, and you get a system that is not only expensive but also logistically difficult to navigate. That is by design.

As the lawsuit argues, these barriers serve no public purpose other than locking independent candidates, and the voters who want to support them, out of the democratic process entirely.

Whether it’s gerrymandered districts that reduce competition or ballot access laws that keep independent candidates off the ballot entirely, the result is the same: fewer meaningful choices for voters, and a political system built to protect incumbents and party insiders rather than the people they’re supposed to serve.

Please forward this to your friends, family, and coworkers. It helps us introduce them to Forward and to what we are building. Also consider inviting them to one of our upcoming events listed below. We’d love to meet them.

Brand new this week on The Forward Party Podcast, is John Avlon, journalist, political analyst, and host of “How to Fix It” and special guest Khalil Ekulona, former NPR host and community storyteller. Together, the hosts and Khalil explore how media has changed over the last two decades and what those changes mean for democracy.

Click the image below to watch.

ICYMI: The Forward Party Podcast – Episode 11

June 28th – Young Forwardists High School Introduction

Are you a Highschooler who wants to get involved?  Do you have a Highschooler in your life who is politically engaged and wants to make real change in the world? The Young Forwardists are always looking for the next generation of leaders and they’re ready to welcome new members.

June 29th – Welcome Team Training

Learn how our state teams welcome brand new members to their party.  We’ll work on phone scripts and email templates to get the most out of your new interested members.

July 1st – Town Hall Training

 Join us for a practical, energizing training on how to plan and run town halls that actually bring people together. You’ll learn how to choose the right venue, confirm speakers, promote the event effectively, and handle day of details with confidence.

If you’re tired of waiting for the system to fix itself — this is your moment.
👥 Volunteer | 🗳️ Run for Office | 💸 Donate | 🌐 forwardparty.com

Contrary to what our detractors on social media say, YES, we read!

Rick Bennett To Face Off Against Bobby Charles and Hannah Pingree in Maine

This week, we’re going to Maine, where something historic just happened quietly and deserves to be said loudly.

While Maine’s U.S Senate primary has been a focal point recently with party candidates Graham Platner and Susan Collins occupying headlines, the Governor’s race has brought voters’ optimism back to their state.

We’re featuring Rick Bennett this week – Bennett is a Harvard-educated businessman, a former President of the Maine State Senate, and a lifelong Republican who spent decades building his party — then walked away from it. On June 24, 2025, he announced he would run for governor as an independent, ending a party affiliation he’d held his entire political life.

Just a couple weeks ago, he qualified for the November gubernatorial ballot — the only independent to do so.

Here is the argument most independent candidates have to make: I’ll find a way to work with everyone once I get there. Rick Bennett doesn’t have to try to make that argument – he already has the record proving that he can. He has spent 18 years in the Maine Legislature doing exactly what he is now asking Maine voters to elect him do in the Blaine House. He has built coalitions, negotiated with Democrats and Republicans, moved legislation through a divided chamber, and delivered results on the issues Maine families actually talk about at the kitchen table.

This is not a candidate learning on the job. This is a candidate who has already done the job, at every level of the legislative process, and who is now asking for the chance to do it from the top.

___

The Maine governor’s race has gone to a ranked-choice runoff, with results expected before June 19th. On the GOP side, with 43% of votes counted Tuesday night, Bobby Charles — an attorney who ran a Trump-style campaign largely relying on social media — led with more than 38%. No candidate crossed the 50% threshold, sending the Republican primary to a ranked-choice runoff that will conclude before June 19th. Ben Midgley and Jonathan Bush were neck-and-neck for second place.

The Democratic field is even less clear, with Nirav Shah, Hannah Pingree, Troy Jackson, and Shenna Bellows all within 6% of each other.  Who comes out of that field is anyone’s guess.  But one thing is clear – Rick is the only candidate who is ready to win in November.

Maine loves its independents, having elected two independent governors in its modern history: James Longley, who served from 1975 to 1979, and U.S. Sen. Angus King, who served as governor from 1995 to 2003 before being elected to the Senate.

Rick was the first candidate that the Forward Party endorsed for the 2026 cycle in December of 2025. He’s the right leader for Maine, and we’re proud to support his campaign.

To learn more about Rick, check out his website here!

Please forward this to your friends, family, and coworkers. It helps us introduce them to Forward and to what we are building. Also consider inviting them to one of our upcoming events listed below. We’d love to meet them.

If you haven’t caught the newest episode of The Forward Party Podcast that dropped most recently, be sure to give it a watch!

Click the image below to watch.

ICYMI: The Forward Party Podcast – Episode 10

June 15th – Recruitment Training: How To Talk About Forward

Join Head of Volunteer Programs Carrie Anne Templeton and Forward National to learn how to grow the Forward Party in your home state. Dozens of Forwardists just like you attend this training every month and learn how to be a changemaker in their community – join the party!

June 17th A Conversation With Lindsey Williams Drath, Forward Party CEO

Join Forward CEO Lindsey Williams Drath for a fireside chat hosted by the Forward Women’s Committee!  Get the inside scoop on all things FWD.

June 18th – Ballot Access Laws: New Mexico, Texas & Arizona with FIVE & Open Primaries

This virtual town hall hosted by the Foundation for Independent Voter Education and Open Primaries, examines ballot access and what’s at stake across Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. This is the policy conversation behind the headlines.

Featured Guests:

Jeremy Gruber — Open Primaries

Oliver Hall — Center for Competitive Democracy

Moderated by Sarah Lenti. The conversation covers state-specific ballot access barriers, real-world candidate and voter experiences, structural obstacles facing independents, and practical pathways for reform. Whether you’re a candidate, a voter, or just someone who believes the rules should be fair,  this one couldn’t be more timely.

If you’re tired of waiting for the system to fix itself — this is your moment.
👥 Volunteer | 🗳️ Run for Office | 💸 Donate | 🌐 forwardparty.com

Contrary to what our detractors on social media say, YES, we read!

With Charles In Lead, Republican Gubernatorial Race Headed To Ranked Choice Run-Off

Bill —

The independent wave is building. This week, six key states held primaries that demonstrated, across the board, a growing tide of voters wanting more choice in their representatives.

Tuesday’s Independent Candidates

Forward has been fighting the conventional wisdom in American politics: “If you want to win, you have to pick a team.”

Well, voters are done with being handed two choices that no longer work for them. We are increasingly seeing candidates respond to that frustration by doing something the system has deliberately made difficult – running without a party label.

This cycle, independent candidates are qualifying for November ballots from Montana to South Dakota, to Iowa, and more. They come from different backgrounds, different ideologies, and different regions. What they share is a conviction that the people of their districts deserve a representative who answers to them, not a party.

Even more – in CA-06, the Democrats gerrymandered mid-cycle to try and gain more seats in Washington.  Instead, voters are clear that they’ve had enough and an Independent is poised to win the top two primary.

California

California’s uses a nonpartisan Top Two primary system which allows every candidate — Democrat, Republican, independent — appears on the same ballot. The top two finishers, regardless of party, advance to November. Under this system, there is no “spoiler.” Top Two is one of the many reforms that Forward fights for nation-wide because they make our democracy better than it is today.

California’s June 2 primary was a strong test for independents (especially in a state with 30% “no party preference” voter registration). Under a partisan primary system, independent candidates have to wait until November. California’s Top Two system is different. It is, as Forward has long argued, what every state’s system should be: a fair fight, on one ballot, where voters choose who moves forward. Here’s how our candidates fared.

Rep. Kevin Kiley California — CA-06

Rep. Kevin Kiley did something remarkable this spring: he walked away from the Republican Party, choosing principle over party. After California’s Proposition 50 redrew his district into solidly Democratic territory, Kiley could have retired, switched parties, or found a safe Republican-leaning seat. Instead, he filed as “No Party Preference,” took the gerrymandering issue head-on, and made his case directly to voters.

With 53% of the district reporting Tuesday night, Kiley is leading all candidates in the Top Two primary with 26.8% of the vote. Final results are expected early next week. These results are showing Kiley advancing to the November general election, making him the first sitting independent member of the House of Representatives to survive a primary in 2026.

Chris Demers California — CA-18

Chris Demers entered the race as a No Party Preference candidate in a field that included both a major-party incumbent and challengers. Like many of our candidates, he isn’t a career politician. He embodies Forward’s values by wanting to provide something better for his community.

With 54.8% of the district reporting, the race has been called for Rep. Zoe Lofgren and Republican Shane Lewis. Demers did not advance to November. But CA-18 is among the deepest Democratic districts in California – a seat that has never been seriously contested since Lofgren first won it. The fact that Chris Demers stood up, refused PAC money, and made the case for independent representation in one of the hardest possible environments is a step we are proud to see happen. Every independent candidate that runs in a district like this makes the next one easier. We’re thankful for Chris Demers, and we hope he stays in the fight.

Karen Leigh Matthews California — CA-23

Dr. Karen Leigh Matthews is a Navy veteran, physician, radiologist, and small business owner who spent more than 20 years serving in the military. She ran for Congress as an independent because she was tired of being “caught between a party that wants government to fail and a party that wants government to do everything.” That thinking, along with her resume, is something rare.

In CA-23, Karen outraised every Democratic challenger in the field. With Democratic support solidifying in the final days, the math narrowed her path to November and she fell short of advancing. With 61.3% of the district reporting, the race was called for incumbent Rep. Jay Obernolte (R). We are proud of Dr. Matthews and deeply grateful for her campaign. She showed what an independent candidate can look like when they’re built for the job, not the party. Her district missed out on an exceptional public servant. We hope she runs again.

Iowa

Michael Bridgford Iowa — IA-01

Michael Bridgford is running in a district where roughly one-third of voters aren’t registered with either major party. He officially filed his nomination petitions on June 1st, the day before the primary. He expects to pass the mark handily and qualify on to the ballot for November, we just need to wait for the Secretary of State to make it official.

The general election matchup: Incumbent Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R) won her primary with 71.6% of the vote, while Christina Bohannon (D) won her primary with 81.5%. This will mark the third consecutive election in which these two candidates will face each other in the general. Iowa’s 1st District voters know both options. Bridgford offers a third — one that doesn’t arrive with three cycles of partisan theatrics.

Dave Bushaw Iowa — IA-02

Dave Bushaw is going to qualify for November’s ballot even though Iowa’s legislature “moved the goalposts in the middle of the night,” according to Dave, by raising the signature threshold mid-cycle. His campaign knocked on more than 7,000 doors and found that 88% of the people they spoke with wanted to sign. On June 2nd, Bushaw officially filed his nomination petitions. His campaign achieved 200% of the required signatures in every single county in IA-02.

We are continuing to monitor official approval, as signature challenges can be filed through next week, but Dave should sail through to November. The general election matchup: Democrat Lindsay James, Dubuque state representative and Presbyterian minister, won with just under 60%, and will face Trump-backed Republican Joe Mitchell, who won with 61.5%. Notably, Democratic primary turnout in IA-02 outpaced Republican turnout: roughly 47,900 Democratic votes to roughly 39,700 Republican votes. Cook Political Report rates the seat Likely Republican, R+4 PVI, but calls it “increasingly competitive.”

Montana

Seth Bodnar Montana

Seth Bodnar needed 13,327 verified signatures from registered voters statewide to qualify for the November general election ballot as an independent in Montana. He didn’t just meet the mark; he submitted nearly 30,000 signatures from 52 of Montana’s 56 counties, collecting nearly twice the required threshold through a volunteer-driven grassroots petition effort. His campaign has also outraised every Democrat and Republican in the race, demonstrating that independent candidacy paired with serious organization is no longer a longshot strategy.

Bodnar officially filed his signatures in late May. As of May 29th, counties have accepted enough verified signatures to put Bodnar on the ballot. The general election matchup: Kurt Alme (R) won his primary with 76.2% of the vote, while Alani Bankhead (D) won her primary with 43.8% of the vote.

South Dakota

Brian Bengs South Dakota — U.S. Senate

Brian Bengs is running for U.S. Senate in South Dakota with a grassroots campaign built on small-dollar donors. To qualify for the ballot as an independent in South Dakota, Bengs needed 3,502 valid signatures. He submitted more than 4,500 — and his petition was certified by the Secretary of State with a 93.85% validity rate, the highest of any statewide candidate in South Dakota this election season. That’s better than both the Republican and Democratic candidates. The campaign called it “a testament to the strength of this movement.” We agree.

He submitted his signatures in April and is officially on the November 3rd general election ballot, certified by the South Dakota Secretary of State. The general election matchup: Incumbent Mike Rounds (R) won his primary with 75.8% of the vote, while Julian Beaudion (D) advanced unchallenged.

Forward Progress 

It would be easy to look at Tuesday’s results and just count votes. However, the snapshot is bigger than any individual race. It is about a country that is waking up to the fact that the two-party system is not delivering for the people it’s supposed to serve.

We don’t just believe America can do better, we are actively building the infrastructure, recruiting the candidates, and making the case that voters deserve more than two choices handed to them by institutions that have long since stopped listening. Iowa, South Dakota, Montana, California, Washington, Minnesota, Maine, Tennessee, Rhode Island, and Nebraska are all seeing independent candidates qualify for ballots and create excitement. The movement is growing.

November is five months away. The work continues. And so does our question, How can we build a just and fair government that truly represents Americans?

One primary at a time. One candidate at a time. One voter at a time.

Please forward this to your friends, family, and coworkers. It helps us introduce them to Forward and to what we are building. Also consider inviting them to one of our upcoming events listed below. We’d love to meet them.

In this thought-provoking episode of The Forward Party Podcast, hosts Lindsey Williams Drath, Governor Christine Todd Whitman, and Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healey sit down with former U.S. Congressman, Army veteran, and author Chris Gibson to explore one of the most important questions facing America today: What did the Founders get right, and what have we forgotten?

Click the image below to watch.

ICYMI: The Forward Party Podcast – Behind the Scenes reel

We’re Hosting Events All Over The Country

Find one near you, sign up, and help build a better future for America.

If you’re tired of waiting for the system to fix itself — this is your moment.
👥 Volunteer | 🗳️ Run for Office | 💸 Donate | 🌐 forwardparty.com

Lindsey Drath Talks Gerrymandering on FOX 5

Forward CEO Lindsey Drath talks midterms, gerrymandering, and independents as a fulcrum for change on FOX5.

Young Americans have always believed the future would offer more opportunity than the past. That optimism has long been one of the country’s defining strengths. But new polling suggests that confidence is starting to crack and policymakers should pay attention.

A recent Gallup survey found that just 43% of Americans ages 15 to 34 believe now is a good time to find a job where they live, a stunning reversal from historic trends.

It’s not surprising. They are entering adulthood during a period of economic whiplash: pandemic disruption, inflation, housing costs that feel permanently out of reach, rising student debt, and growing uncertainty around artificial intelligence and the future of white-collar work. Axios recently reported that unemployment among recent college graduates has climbed above the national average and underemployment remains high.

Many did what society told them to do: work hard, get educated, build skills, and prepare for the future. Now,  too many feel like they are walking into a system that no longer guarantees stability, affordability, or even a clear path forward. That frustration is real. But it is also a warning sign for a country that depends on innovation, entrepreneurship, and upward mobility to thrive.

The answer cannot simply be nostalgia for an older economy that is not coming back. AI is real. Automation is real. Global competition is real. The world is changing quickly, whether our political system is prepared for it or not.

That is where the Forward Party believes a different kind of politics matters.

Forward’s approach starts with a simple idea: government should focus less on ideological warfare and more on helping people successfully navigate a changing future. That means investing in workforce development, apprenticeships, modern career training, entrepreneurship, technical education, and AI literacy. It means preparing students not just for the jobs that existed 20 years ago, but for the industries and technologies that will define the next 20. It also means recognizing that dignity and purpose matter just as much as economic statistics.

The good news is that pessimism is not destiny.

The same generation expressing anxiety about the job market is also the most adaptive, technologically fluent, and entrepreneurial generation in modern history. Young Americans are already building businesses online, creating entirely new industries, using AI tools creatively, and reshaping what work looks like in real time. Even leaders in the AI sector argue this technological transformation can create enormous opportunity if the country embraces it thoughtfully and prepares people for it.

America has reinvented its economy before. We can do it again. But it will require leaders willing to stop treating every issue as a partisan fight and start treating it as a practical challenge to solve together.

Young Americans do not need empty promises. They need leaders willing to level with them about change, invest in their future, and build an economy where hard work still creates opportunity.

That is the kind of future Forward believes is still possible.

Please forward this to your friends, family, and coworkers. It helps us introduce them to Forward and to what we are building. Also consider inviting them to one of our upcoming events listed below. We’d love to meet them.

In Episode 10 of The Forward Party Podcast, the conversation turns toward one of the biggest questions in American politics right now: Can independent leaders actually reshape Congress from the inside? Hosts Lindsey Williams Drath, Governor Christine Todd Whitman, and Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healey sit down with former Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele for a candid discussion about party loyalty, election reform, voter frustration, and the growing demand for independent leadership across the country.

We hope you enjoy! Don’t forget to let us know what you think.

Click the image below to watch.

ICYMI: The Forward Party Podcast – Behind the Scenes reel

NY Monthly Virtual Town Hall

Each month, NY Forwardists across the state meet on Google Meets to hear from a partner organization or potential endorsed candidate or to discuss a relevant topic. Open discussion follows. Email maverick@gmail.com to join!

Michigan Forward – May State Meeting

Come join us at our May state meeting for a quick discussion about what our plans for Michigan Forward are and what we can work on this summer.

Georgia Virtual May Meeting

We are excited to welcome Jerry Ramos, who is running for Sheriff in Hall County in the 2028 election. Jerry has a truly unique perspective shaped by his time in the Army, his work in security and law enforcement, and his experience raising 8 kids (!!). After seeing opportunities for improvement in the system, he decided to step up and run for office himself.

If you’re tired of waiting for the system to fix itself — this is your moment.
👥 Volunteer | 🗳️ Run for Office | 💸 Donate | 🌐 forwardparty.com

NYC shuts out half its voters. The Forward Party supports a new bill to change that

Americans are anxious about the economy.  People feel it every time they buy groceries, fill up their gas tank, pay rent, or open a credit card bill. Across the country, families are asking the same question: why does it feel harder and harder to get ahead, even when they are working harder than ever?

New polling from Gallup shows affordability now dominates Americans’ financial worries. Inflation and high prices remain the top concern for families, while a record 55% of Americans say their financial situation is getting worse. Energy costs, housing costs, healthcare expenses, transportation, and childcare are all rising faster than many household budgets can keep up with.

At the same time, confidence in the broader economy is falling sharply. Gallup’s Economic Confidence Index dropped to -38 in April, one of the lowest readings in recent years and a sign that Americans are increasingly pessimistic about both current conditions and where the economy is heading. Even among people who are still employed and financially stable, anxiety about the future is growing. Americans are worried about layoffs, AI, inflation, debt, and whether the next generation will have the same opportunities they had.

There are warning signs at the national level as well. This week, America’s debt burden surpassed the country’s annual economic output for the first time since World War II, with public debt reaching more than $31 trillion. Economists across the political spectrum increasingly warn that long-term fiscal dysfunction in Washington is making it harder to invest in the future while also increasing pressure on interest rates and the cost of living.

And yet, despite these very real concerns, too much of our political system remains trapped in partisan theater instead of focused on practical solutions. Americans are looking for leadership willing to address affordability, energy costs, housing supply, workforce development, healthcare expenses, and the national debt with seriousness and honesty. Instead, many see constant political warfare, performative outrage, and a system designed more around scoring points than solving problems.

This is where Forward’s values matter.

The Forward Party was built around the belief that Americans are exhausted by a politics that rewards division and punishes problem solving. Most voters are not asking for ideological purity. They are asking for leaders who will listen, work together, use facts and data, and focus on outcomes that improve everyday life.

Forward believes affordability should not be a partisan issue. Making it easier to build housing, supporting energy innovation, investing in workforce training for a changing economy, modernizing infrastructure, and bringing down healthcare costs are not red or blue ideas. They are practical challenges that require serious leadership.

Forward also believes the country cannot solve long-term economic problems if elected officials are more focused on protecting political power than building public trust. Gerrymandered districts, hyper-partisan primaries, and a political culture driven by outrage make compromise politically risky even when compromise is what the country needs most.

But there is reason for optimism.

Across the country, more independent and solutions-focused leaders are stepping forward to run for office, build coalitions, and challenge the idea that Americans are permanently stuck choosing between dysfunction and extremism. Voters are increasingly open to candidates who prioritize collaboration, accountability, and results over partisan loyalty.

The economic challenges facing the country are real. Americans feel them every day. But this moment also creates an opportunity to rethink how we govern and what we reward in politics.

The future does not have to be defined by gridlock, economic anxiety, and political exhaustion. With better leadership, more accountability, and a political system that rewards solving problems instead of escalating conflict, the country can build an economy that is more affordable, more resilient, and more hopeful for the next generation.

Please forward this to your friends, family, and coworkers. It helps us introduce them to Forward and to what we are building. Also consider inviting them to one of our upcoming events listed below. We’d love to meet them.

Episode 9  – Lindsey Drath, Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healey, and Governor Whitman hold a grounded and timely conversation about the future of American politics. At the center of the discussion is a pressing question: Can the system be recalibrated without starting from scratch?

We hope you enjoy! Don’t forget to let us know what you think.

Click the image below to watch.

ICYMI: The Forward Party Podcast – Behind the Scenes reel

May 14 – Women’s Committee Event – Commanding Change: From the Marine Corps to the Movement

Join the Forward Party Women’s Committee in a frank discussion about the current situation of women in the military with Forward Woman Sarah Czech, who co-chairs the Veterans & Military Families Committee.  For more information and to RSVP, click here. 

May 20 – AAPI Committee Launch

May is AAPI Heritage Month

Join us as we officially launch the AAPI Committee on May 20th.We will be joined by Andrew Yang and other special guests  For more information and to RSVP, click here.

If you’re tired of waiting for the system to fix itself — this is your moment.
👥 Volunteer | 🗳️ Run for Office | 💸 Donate | 🌐 forwardparty.com

Virginia’s high court strikes down voter-passed House map favoring Democrats

At the same time, confidence in leadership is near historic lows. Congressional approval is around 10 percent in recent Gallup tracking, President Trump’s approval rating has dropped to 34 percent, and trust in government more broadly remains deeply eroded. Yet despite that dissatisfaction, incumbents continue to win reelection at rates exceeding 90 percent. That disconnect tells you something important. The system is not responding to what people are actually experiencing. While affordability tops the list of concerns, Washington often appears focused elsewhere. That includes partisan maneuvering like gerrymandering, political investigations and prosecutions, and internal power struggles that have little to do with lowering costs or improving economic opportunity.

The results speak for themselves. Congress has passed relatively few major pieces of legislation that directly address the core drivers of affordability. Conversations about long term economic challenges, like preparing workers for technological change, strengthening local economies, and expanding access to good paying jobs, are not getting the attention they deserve. Meanwhile, approval ratings for both Congress and national leadership remain deeply underwater, reinforcing the sense that the system is not delivering.

This is exactly why the Forward Party is focused on building something different. We are recruiting and supporting candidates who are solutions focused, grounded in their communities, and committed to listening to what voters are actually saying. That means using data, evidence, and real world experience to shape policy, not ideology or party talking points. It means prioritizing affordability, economic opportunity, and long term stability over short term political wins.

There is a better path forward, and more Americans are starting to see it. Across the country, people are stepping up to run for office, engage in their communities, and demand a system that actually reflects their lives and priorities. Change will not happen overnight, but it is already beginning. With leaders who are willing to listen, focus on real problems, and work toward practical solutions, we can build a system that delivers again. One that makes life more affordable, expands opportunity, and gives people confidence in their future.

Please forward this to your friends, family, and coworkers. It helps us introduce them to Forward and to what we are building. Also consider inviting them to one of our upcoming events listed below. We’d love to meet them.

Episode 8  – Lindsey Drath and Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healey are joined by Forward National Communications Director John Goodwin for a thoughtful conversation on the growing momentum behind independent voters and what it really takes to challenge America’s entrenched two-party system. What starts as a discussion on political identity quickly expands into a deeper look at structural barriers, voter frustration, and the untapped potential sitting in plain sight across the country. At the center of the conversation is a striking reality: nearly half of Americans now identify as independents, yet the system itself makes it incredibly difficult for those voices to translate into representation. From closed primaries to limited ballot access, the episode breaks down how the current structure favors party insiders while leaving everyday voters on the outside.

We hope you enjoy! Don’t forget to let us know what you think.

Click the image below to watch.

ICYMI: The Forward Party Podcast – Behind the Scenes reel

May 20 – AAPI Committee Launch

May is AAPI Heritage Month

Join us as we officially launch the AAPI Committee on May 20th.We will be joined by Andrew Yang and other special guests  For more information and to RSVP, click here.

If you’re tired of waiting for the system to fix itself — this is your moment.
👥 Volunteer | 🗳️ Run for Office | 💸 Donate | 🌐 forwardparty.com

Supreme Court decision sets off gerrymandering scramble 

Bill —

Viktor Orbán, long a symbol of democratic backsliding and the self-proclaimed creator of “illiberal democracy,” was defeated by the very force he worked so hard to bend: the will of the voters. In Hungary, citizens were given a chance to speak clearly, and they did. Their message was bigger than one man. It was a reminder that even leaders who spend years weakening institutions, centralizing power, and putting themselves above the public are still vulnerable when people decide enough is enough.

This was not only a vote about ideology. It was also a vote about accountability. Orbán’s defeat reflected something basic but powerful: people expect leaders to serve the public, not themselves. When governments become arrogant, insulated, corrupt, or indifferent to the daily struggles of ordinary families, voters notice. And when democracy is still strong enough to give them a voice, they can use it to demand something better.

That is why Hungary’s election matters far beyond Hungary. It stands as a warning to leaders everywhere, including here in the United States, that public office is not personal property. It is a temporary trust. Leaders are sent to their capitals to solve problems, uphold democratic norms, and improve people’s lives. When they fail in that responsibility, voters not only can replace them; they should replace them.

At Forward, we believe politics should be rooted in service, responsibility, and results. We are working to support leaders who understand that holding office means stewardship, not self-preservation. Hungary may be the latest example of voters insisting on that standard, but it cannot be the last. In this election year, we will keep fighting to make sure more leaders are chosen not for their ambition but for their willingness to serve.

Please forward this to your friends, family, and coworkers. It helps us introduce them to Forward and to what we are building. Also consider inviting them to one of our upcoming events listed below. We’d love to meet them.

REMINDER: The next episode of The Forward Party Podcast is live!

Episode 7 brings the conversation back to where politics has the most immediate impact: local leadership. While national headlines tend to dominate attention, this discussion highlights how mayors and community leaders are quietly solving real problems every day without the noise of partisan division. Featuring Deke Copenhaver, former mayor of Augusta, Georgia, Brian Vincent, current mayor of Farmville, Virginia, and Clint Eisenhauer, South Carolina Forward Party Chair, the episode explores what it looks like to lead with service, accountability, and community-first thinking. These leaders share firsthand experiences navigating political pressure, earning trust at the grassroots level, and making decisions that directly shape the lives of their constituents.

We hope you enjoy! Don’t forget to let us know what you think.

Click the image below to watch.

ICYMI: The Forward Party Podcast – Behind the Scenes reel

April 22 – Candidate Outreach Training

With such an impactful election year upon us, it’s important we find the right candidates to support! Join Carrie Anne and Jake Mellen, National Forward staff members, to learn what to look for in candidates and race in your area and best practices for outreach.

If you’re tired of waiting for the system to fix itself — this is your moment.
👥 Volunteer | 🗳️ Run for Office | 💸 Donate | 🌐 forwardparty.com

Contrary to what our detractors on social media say, YES, we read!

Forward Party Announces First Round of 2026 Congressional Endorsements

Bill —

We’ve officially kicked off our 2026 congressional endorsements, and this first slate says a lot about where this movement is headed. These are not typical candidates. They are leaders who have built careers solving real problems, working in their communities, and stepping up because they believe the system should work better than it does today. They come from different backgrounds and different regions, but they share a commitment to practical leadership, accountability, and getting things done.

Looking across this first group of endorsed congressional candidates, a few things stand out. These are problem solvers first. They have spent their careers in service, whether in business, public service, or their local communities, focused on outcomes instead of ideology. They are also stepping forward at a moment when most Americans feel like the system is not listening. Nearly half the country identifies as independent, yet the system still forces binary choices between the legacy parties. Just as important, they are willing to run anyway. One of the biggest challenges in our politics today is not just who wins, but who never runs in the first place. Too many capable leaders look at the current system and opt out. These candidates are choosing to step up.

Click the image for more information on each of our 2026 endorsed candidates so far. 

This election is bigger than any single race. We are operating in a system where trust in government is low, competition is limited, and outcomes are too often driven by small, partisan primaries instead of the broader public. That combination produces exactly what voters are tired of: more division, less problem solving, and fewer real choices. At the same time, there is a clear opportunity. Most Americans are not asking for more extremes. They are asking for leaders who can work across differences, focus on solutions, and represent the full community, not just one side of it.

This first slate also reflects something bigger about how change can actually happen. It does not take a majority to shift how Congress works. A small group of independent minded leaders who are focused on solutions instead of party can become a deciding force and help bridge divides. That is how incentives begin to shift toward cooperation instead of conflict and negotiation instead of gridlock.

This is just the beginning. This first group of congressional endorsements is one step in a much broader effort, with many more endorsements to come across federal, statewide, and local elections. The goal is to build a durable pipeline of leaders who reflect the country as it actually is and give voters more credible choices at every level.

That work is already underway. Earlier in the cycle, we made our first endorsement of the year with gubernatorial candidate Rick Bennett in Maine, a leader who has consistently demonstrated what it looks like to put voters ahead of party and govern with integrity. That endorsement helped set the tone for what we are building, and this first congressional slate continues that momentum.

At its core, this effort is about something simple. American politics should reflect the American people. Right now, it does not, but it can. By supporting candidates like these, leaders who are independent minded, solutions oriented, and accountable, we are helping create a system where voters have real choices again. This is an important step forward, and there is much more to come.

Please forward this to your friends, family, and coworkers. It helps us introduce them to Forward and to what we are building. Also consider inviting them to one of our upcoming events listed below. We’d love to meet them.

Episode 7 brings the conversation back to where politics has the most immediate impact: local leadership. While national headlines tend to dominate attention, this discussion highlights how mayors and community leaders are quietly solving real problems every day without the noise of partisan division. Featuring Deke Copenhaver, former mayor of Augusta, Georgia, Brian Vincent, current mayor of Farmville, Virginia, and Clint Eisenhauer, South Carolina Forward Party Chair, the episode explores what it looks like to lead with service, accountability, and community-first thinking. These leaders share firsthand experiences navigating political pressure, earning trust at the grassroots level, and making decisions that directly shape the lives of their constituents.

We hope you enjoy! Don’t forget to let us know what you think.

Click the image below to watch.

ICYMI: The Forward Party Podcast – Behind the Scenes reel

April 10 – New Mexico Press Event with Andrew Yang

Andrew Yang has a big announcement for New Mexico! Meet us on the steps of the Capitol in Santa Fe to hear from Forward Party co-founder, Andrew Yang. Then, join us for a special evening celebration event in Downtown Albuquerque to meet Andrew in-person for a live Q&A, connect with New Mexico Forward leadership, mingle and meet fellow reform-minded New Mexicans, and learn how to get involved to help grow ballot access and voter choice statewide. Click here for more information and to RSVP.

April 11 – Texas Inaugural State Convention

Join a coalition of independent thinkers for the Texas Forward Party’s Inaugural State Convention—a historic weekend of action, training, and connection in Austin. We are bringing together community leaders from across the state to lower the temperature, break the gridlock, and put power back in the hands of voters.

April 11 – Colorado Forward Party Nominating Convention

On April 11th, the Colorado Forward Party is holding a virtual assembly to nominate candidates for the November ballot and conduct other party business.

April 11 – Forward Party of Utah State Convention

Join Forwardists from across the state and Forward Party Cofounder Andrew Yang for the Forward Party of Utah’s annual State Convention—our biggest gathering of the year. At the convention, attendees will meet and nominate Forward candidates, vote on party priorities, and help shape the direction of the Forward Party of Utah for the year ahead. The program will feature a strong lineup of speakers, thoughtful discussion, and meaningful opportunities for members and supporters to share ideas and perspectives on Utah’s political future.

If you’re tired of waiting for the system to fix itself — this is your moment.
👥 Volunteer | 🗳️ Run for Office | 💸 Donate | 🌐 forwardparty.com

Gavin Newsom, Ben Shapiro, and Donald Trump Finally Agree on a Major Voting rights Issue

Bill —

Americans want elections that are secure and easy to participate in. Mail-in voting is one of the ways we make that possible.

It’s back in the spotlight right now because of a new executive order from President Trump that would limit how states use mail-in voting and add new federal requirements around who can receive a ballot. That kind of top-down change raises real questions, both legal and practical, for states that are responsible for running elections and for voters who rely on these systems.

Before getting lost in the politics of the moment, it’s worth stepping back and looking at how mail-in works, and why so many Americans use it.

Mail-in voting is not new. Americans have been voting by mail for generations, starting with military members serving overseas and expanding over time to include seniors, rural voters, and anyone who needs more flexibility. Today, it is a part of how elections are run across the country. In states like Colorado, Oregon, Washington, Utah, and Hawaii, elections are conducted almost entirely by mail. Across the country, millions of voters use it every cycle, regardless of party.

In fact, about one in three Americans has voted by mail in recent national elections – including the President himself. That alone tells you something important: this is not a niche system. It is a normal, widely used way Americans participate in democracy.

Security is often where the conversation turns around mail-in ballots. A system only works if people trust it. Mail-in voting includes multiple layers of protection. Ballots are tied to registered voters, signatures are verified, and many states use tracking systems so voters can see when their ballot is sent, received, and counted. Like any system, it is not perfect, but there is no evidence of widespread fraud. What there is, instead, is a system that has been tested at scale and continues to work.

For many people, mail-in voting is not about convenience. It is about access. It allows a parent working two jobs, a senior who cannot stand in line, or a voter living miles from the nearest polling place to still have a voice. For military families and Americans overseas, it is often the only realistic option.

That is why sudden, nationwide changes to the system could cause confusion, disenfranchisement, and barriers to voting. The current proposal would require states to adjust how they administer mail-in voting and who qualifies for it. Even setting aside the legal questions about whether a president can direct those changes, the practical impact could be significant. States would need to rework systems quickly. Voters could face confusion about eligibility. Ballots could be delayed or rejected under new rules.

That is not how you build confidence in elections. It is how you create uncertainty.

At Forward, we believe this should not be an either-or debate. Americans want elections that are both secure and accessible. Those goals are not in conflict. In fact, the best systems do both well. The answer is not to restrict access or to ignore concerns about integrity. It is to improve the system in ways that are transparent, consistent, and based on what actually works.

The bigger issue here is not just mail-in voting. It is whether our political system is focused on serving voters or fighting over the rules of the game. Too often, the conversation is about control instead of outcomes, about process instead of people.

Americans are looking for something different. They want a system that works. They want to know their vote counts and that they have a real voice in the outcome.

That means making it easier for eligible voters to participate while strengthening trust in how elections are run. It means working with states, not around them. And it means focusing on solutions that bring people in, not push them out.

That is how we move forward.

Please forward this to your friends, family, and coworkers. It helps us introduce them to Forward and to what we are building. Also consider inviting them to one of our upcoming events listed below. We’d love to meet them.

We hope you enjoy! Don’t forget to let us know what you think.

Click the image below to watch.

ICYMI: The Forward Party Podcast – Behind the Scenes reel

April 8 – Recruiting New Forwardists

The midterm year is upon us and we need as many voters and volunteers as possible to support the incredible candidates we endorse this year! Join Carrie Anne our Head of Volunteer Programs to learn how to help us recruit more supporters. We will go over how to talk about Forward with your friends and family, and how to share your recruitment link so you can earn points that are redeemable for items in our merch shop! Click here for more information and to RSVP.

April 10 – New Mexico Press Event with Andrew Yang

Andrew Yang has a big announcement for New Mexico! Meet us on the steps of the Capitol in Santa Fe to hear from Forward Party co-founder, Andrew Yang. Then, join us for a special evening celebration event in Downtown Albuquerque to meet Andrew in-person for a live Q&A, connect with New Mexico Forward leadership, mingle and meet fellow reform-minded New Mexicans, and learn how to get involved to help grow ballot access and voter choice statewide. Click here for more information and to RSVP.

April 11 – Texas Inaugural State Convention

Join a coalition of independent thinkers for the Texas Forward Party’s Inaugural State Convention—a historic weekend of action, training, and connection in Austin. We are bringing together community leaders from across the state to lower the temperature, break the gridlock, and put power back in the hands of voters.

April 11 – Colorado Forward Party Nominating Convention

On April 11th, the Colorado Forward Party is holding a virtual assembly to nominate candidates for the November ballot and conduct other party business.

April 11 – Forward Party of Utah State Convention

Join Forwardists from across the state and Forward Party Cofounder Andrew Yang for the Forward Party of Utah’s annual State Convention—our biggest gathering of the year. At the convention, attendees will meet and nominate Forward candidates, vote on party priorities, and help shape the direction of the Forward Party of Utah for the year ahead. The program will feature a strong lineup of speakers, thoughtful discussion, and meaningful opportunities for members and supporters to share ideas and perspectives on Utah’s political future.

If you’re tired of waiting for the system to fix itself — this is your moment.
👥 Volunteer | 🗳️ Run for Office | 💸 Donate | 🌐 forwardparty.com

Kevin Kiley Leaves GOP, Bets on Independent Voters in California’s 6th District

Bringing Power Back to the American Voter

Bill —

Right now, people across the country are watching the same thing play out again in Washington, and a lot of them are asking a simple question: why does it always have to be like this?

A fight over funding for the Department of Homeland Security has turned into another standoff. Tens of thousands of workers are not getting paid. Travelers are stuck in long airport lines. Things that should just work are not working. This is not complicated. It is a breakdown, and people can see it clearly in their daily lives. But it is also a reminder that we can do better.

The DHS shutdown started in mid-February and is still going because lawmakers cannot agree on a funding deal. The impact is not abstract. More than 50,000 TSA workers are working without pay. Hundreds of officers have already quit, and more are calling out. At airports across the country, people are waiting hours just to get through security, and some airports are warning they may have to shut down parts of their operations if this continues.

Airport leaders are warning Congress that the situation is getting worse and could have lasting effects. Behind all of this are real people trying to get by. Some TSA workers are sleeping in their cars. Some are picking up second jobs. Some are donating plasma just to make it through. Families are missing flights, and workers are missing paychecks. This is what a broken system looks like.

This did not have to happen. This is not some unavoidable crisis. It is a political fight. Lawmakers are arguing over immigration policy and trying to attach other demands to a basic funding bill. Talks have stalled, and each side is blaming the other. On top of that, the White House has pushed to tie this funding fight to the SAVE Act, a controversial voting bill. As a result, funding for airport security and paychecks for workers has been pulled into a much larger political battle.

The frustrating part is that this is not what most Americans are asking for. People are not looking for political wins. They are looking for things to work. They want leaders who solve problems, work with others, and get things done. A majority of Americans now say they are independent, not strongly tied to either party, yet our system keeps producing the same kind of gridlock.

It does not have to be this way. If there were more independent minded members in Congress, you would likely see deals happen sooner, more focus on real people, and a clearer path out of standoffs like this. Even a small group can make a difference in close votes and help move both sides toward a solution.

That is exactly why the Forward Party is recruiting and running candidates for Congress across the country. The goal is not to add more noise, but to change how things work. We are supporting leaders who care more about solving problems than picking sides, leaders who reflect their communities and are willing to work with anyone to get results. Even a handful of leaders like this can break up political standoffs, push for real debate, and represent the millions of Americans who feel stuck between the two parties.

This shutdown will end. Funding will get passed, and people will get paid. But the bigger question is what happens next. Do we keep going through this over and over again, or do we send people to Washington who will do things differently?

More Americans are ready for that change than ever before, and Forward is working to make it happen.

Please forward this to your friends, family, and coworkers. It helps us introduce them to Forward and to what we are building. Also consider inviting them to one of our upcoming events listed below. We’d love to meet them.

We hope you enjoy! Don’t forget to let us know what you think.

Click the image below to watch.

ICYMI: The Forward Party Podcast – Behind the Scenes reel

April 8 – Recruiting New Forwardists

The midterm year is upon us and we need as many voters and volunteers as possible to support the incredible candidates we endorse this year! Join Carrie Anne, our Head of Volunteer Programs, to learn how to help us recruit more supporters. Click here for more information and to RSVP.

April 11 – Texas Inaugural State Convention

Join a coalition of independent thinkers for the Texas Forward Party’s Inaugural State Convention—a historic weekend of action, training, and connection in Austin. We are bringing together community leaders from across the state to lower the temperature, break the gridlock, and put power back in the hands of voters.

If you’re tired of waiting for the system to fix itself — this is your moment.
👥 Volunteer | 🗳️ Run for Office | 💸 Donate | 🌐 forwardparty.com

A Home for independents: Why I Joined the forward Party

Independent candidate for Maine governor Rick Bennet offers healthcare affordability plan 

Bill —

Early voting is now underway in Virginia. On April 21, voters will decide whether to allow a mid-decade redraw of congressional maps, revisiting a system designed to limit direct political control.

In 2020, Virginia adopted a redistricting commission made up of legislators and citizens, evenly split between Republicans and Democrats. The maps drawn after the last census were intended to last through 2031, providing consistency and predictability for voters.

The current measure would temporarily change that system. It would allow the General Assembly to redraw congressional districts before the next census, with a new map already approved that would take effect for the 2026 elections if voters agree.

Supporters say this allows Virginia to respond to similar moves in other states. Opponents, including the Forward Party, are concerned it could reintroduce more direct political influence into a process voters intended to make more independent.

Below is our official statement

This moment in Virginia reflects a broader national challenge. Across the country, both parties have increasingly looked to redraw maps in ways that strengthen their position, raising questions about consistency and trust in the rules that govern elections.

As Brian Vincent, Forward-aligned independent mayor of Farmville, Virginia, recently wrote, stable rules and clear standards are essential to building public confidence. You can read his full perspective here.

That same principle was echoed by Lindsey Drath, CEO of the Forward Party, in a recent Fox 5 DC interview, where she emphasized that voters want a system that is fair, transparent, and consistent over time.

How districts are drawn shapes how elections function, from how competitive races are to how responsive leaders are to the people they represent.

At Forward, we believe the goal should be simple: fair processes, consistent rules, and elections where voters feel their voices truly matter.

Virginia voters will make their decision soon, but this issue goes well beyond one state.

Across the country, rules like gerrymandering, closed primaries, and complicated ballot access requirements often shape who gets to run and who voters actually get to choose from. Too often, they narrow the field instead of opening it up.

That can leave independent voters with fewer real options and make it harder to support leaders who truly reflect their values or make them feel proud to cast a ballot.

It also keeps a lot of strong civic leaders on the sidelines. Many people who have led in their communities, businesses, or public service simply do not want to sign up for strict party labels or ideological lines just to run for office.

If we want a healthier democracy, it starts with making sure the system invites more people in, not keeps them out, and gives voters real choices they can believe in.

Please forward this to your friends, family, and coworkers. It helps us introduce them to Forward and to what we are building. Also consider inviting them to one of our upcoming events listed below. We’d love to meet them.

We hope you enjoy! Don’t forget to let us know what you think.

Click the image below to watch.

ICYMI: The Forward Party Podcast – Behind the Scenes reel

March 25 – Virginia Statewide Virtual Meeting

Politicians should not choose their voters.

Yet Virginia is facing a renewed redistricting effort that risks undoing the will of voters who approved reform in 2020.

The Forward Party in Virginia is hosting a statewide virtual meeting to discuss what this means and what we can do about it. Click here for more information and to RSVP.

April 8 – Recruiting New Forwardists

The midterm year is upon us and we need as many voters and volunteers as possible to support the incredible candidates we endorse this year! Join Carrie Anne our Head of Volunteer Programs to learn how to help us recruit more supporters.  Click here for more information and to RSVP.

If you’re tired of waiting for the system to fix itself — this is your moment.
👥 Volunteer | 🗳️ Run for Office | 💸 Donate | 🌐 forwardparty.com

Wisconsin Lawmakers Propose Ranked Choice Voting for All Elections

State Senator Mark Spreitzer (D-Beloit) and Representative Clinton Anderson (D-Beloit) introduced LRB-5709 on March 5, legislation that would implement ranked choice voting for state, federal, and local elections in Wisconsin.

The Wisconsin legislation would also eliminate the need for February primaries in nonpartisan elections.

Bill —

For generations, Americans have relied on a simple principle to protect our democracy: no branch of government should hold too much power.

But in recent years, that balance has been shifting.

This week we’re highlighting an important new piece from members of Forward’s Veterans and Military Families Committee: “The Two‑Party Drift Toward Executive Power.”

The article looks at how presidents from both parties have increasingly used military force without meaningful congressional oversight – a trend that raises serious questions about the erosion of constitutional checks and balances.

Click the image to read the blog post

The U.S. Constitution gives Congress the authority to declare war, reflecting the founders’ belief that decisions about military force should involve democratic accountability.

But over time, presidents from both parties have increasingly acted without formal congressional approval. The Forward blog argues that the erosion of oversight has made it easier for the executive branch to wield military power with limited restraint.

This isn’t just about one president or one party.

It reflects a broader pattern in American politics where the two‑party system has allowed power to consolidate in the executive branch while Congress struggles to assert its role.

When those checks weaken, so does public confidence in the system. When institutions work properly, power is balanced and decisions carry broader legitimacy.

When those guardrails erode, it becomes easier for any administration — Republican or Democrat — to expand executive authority without sufficient accountability.

One of the core ideas behind the Forward movement is that political incentives shape political outcomes. If the system rewards partisan loyalty and discourages independent oversight, we should not be surprised when institutions weaken. That is why Forward supports reforms that strengthen democratic accountability and encourage leaders who are willing to work across differences.

Healthy competition in politics leads to stronger institutions. Stronger institutions help preserve the constitutional balance that protects our freedoms.

Please forward this to your friends, family, and coworkers. It helps us introduce them to Forward and to what we are building. Also consider inviting them to one of our upcoming events listed below. We’d love to meet them.

We hope you enjoy! Don’t forget to let us know what you think.

Click the image below to watch.

ICYMI: The Forward Party Podcast – Behind the Scenes reel

RECAP: Forward Voices: ICE and the Rule of Law

At a recent Forward Voices event, speakers discussed the importance of upholding the rule of law and protecting constitutional rights in federal law enforcement, with a focus on ICE practices and due process protections. The conversation reflected Forward’s core values of respecting the Constitution and strengthening democratic accountability. Speakers highlighted the need for clearer oversight, accountability, and thoughtful immigration reform that puts people and constitutional principles first. Click here to watch a recording of the event.

Tonight – Gulf Coast Regional Call

Join other Forward supporters in the states of Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana on a Gulf Coast Regional Call. Hear national party updates and brainstorm ways to spread the Forward message in your area. Click here for more information and to RSVP.

March 16 – NY Monthly Virtual Townhall

Each month, NY Forwardists across the state meet on Google Meets to hear from a partner organization or potental endorsed candidate or to discuss a relevant topic.

March 25 – Virginia Statewide Virtual Meeting

Politicians should not choose their voters.

Yet Virginia is facing a renewed redistricting effort that risks undoing the will of voters who approved reform in 2020.

The Forward Party in Virginia is hosting a statewide virtual meeting to discuss what this means and what we can do about it. Click here for more information and to RSVP.

If you’re tired of waiting for the system to fix itself — this is your moment.
👥 Volunteer | 🗳️ Run for Office | 💸 Donate | 🌐 forwardparty.com

Forward Veterans and Military Families Chair Sarah Czech on News Nation 

Forward Veterans and Military Families Chair Sarah Czech discusses how the public deserves answers and transparency around the conflict with Iran.

Empowering Independent Voters Can Fix Primary Elections

Today, there is a growing recognition that the way we run primary elections isn’t working. They’re too partisan. Too low turnout. Too dominated by ideological activists.

Bill —

With Operation Epic Fury, the United States is now engaged in a serious military confrontation with Iran. The situation is dangerous and still unfolding. Six American service members have already been killed, and others wounded. Civilians in the region are also paying a heavy price.

First and foremost, we mourn the Americans who have lost their lives in service to this country, and we hold their families in our thoughts. We hope for the speedy recovery of those injured and for the safe return of every American in harm’s way. War also brings suffering to innocent people. Civilians often bear the cost of decisions made far from their homes. Our hearts are with those families as well.

Iran’s government has long supported terrorism and destabilized the region. At the same time, the Iranian people themselves have repeatedly shown courage in demanding freedom, dignity, and opportunity. The Forward Party stands with the Iranian people and hopes for a future where they can determine their own destiny free from repression.

Click the image for our official statement on Operation Epic Fury

But moments like this also raise serious questions about the health of our own democracy and the checks and balances that were installed by the founders.

The Constitution is clear. The power to declare war belongs to Congress. The founders put that responsibility in the legislative branch so decisions about war would be debated openly and decided collectively by the representatives of the American people.

Over time, that system has eroded. Presidents of both parties have increasingly used military force without clear authorization from Congress. Meanwhile, Congress has too often avoided the responsibility the Constitution assigns to it. When members of Congress fail to debate and vote on war, they are not only avoiding politics; they are avoiding accountability.

This is exactly why the War Powers Resolution was passed in 1973. The law was meant to ensure that Congress had a clear role in approving and overseeing military action. Yet again and again, Washington finds ways to sidestep it.

The Forward Party believes that America can be strong and responsive to world events and national security threats while still faithful to the Constitution. Supporting our troops and defending the rule of law are not competing values. They reinforce each other.

This moment also shows why our political system needs more voices at the table.

Today, the two major parties often treat national security debates as partisan battles instead of constitutional responsibilities. Members of Congress frequently line up behind or against a president based on party loyalty rather than institutional duty. That leaves the branch of government responsible for declaring war acting more like a spectator than a decision maker.

This is why the Forward Party exists. When independent and third-party lawmakers hold seats in Congress, they can act as a forcing function for accountability. They are less tied to the incentives of the two-party system and more able to insist that Congress actually vote on the most important questions the country faces. War should never be decided by default or drift. It should be decided by debate and by votes.

That is what checks and balances are supposed to look like.

America is strongest when our institutions work as the Constitution intended. That means a president who leads, a Congress that does its job, and a political system that rewards courage instead of silence.

Our troops deserve nothing less. The American people deserve nothing less. And the future of our democracy depends on it.

Please forward this to your friends, family, and coworkers. It helps us introduce them to Forward and to what we are building. Also consider inviting them to one of our upcoming events listed below. We’d love to meet them.

This episode makes the case for building a durable political movement that restores voter choice, rewards problem-solving, and helps everyday Americans step into leadership where it counts.

We hope you enjoy! Don’t forget to let us know what you think.

Click the image below to watch.

ICYMI: The Forward Party Podcast – Behind the Scenes reel

Forward Voices: ICE and the Rule of Law – March 11

This virtual discussion, hosted by the Veterans and Military Families Committee and the Hispanic and Latino Committee of the Forward Party, centers on Forward’s core value of the Rule of Law and examines recent cases in which American citizens, including veterans and their family members, have been unlawfully detained or deported by ICE, raising serious concerns about due process, accountability, and government overreach. The conversation will focus on what the Rule of Law means in practice: holding government agencies accountable when they exceed their legal authority, while also respecting and enforcing immigration law in a lawful, transparent, and constitutional manner rooted in human dignity.

Virginia court allows a referendum on Democratic-led redistricting that could flip 4 US House seats

For the second time, Virginia’s Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that voters can cast ballots on a Democratic-led congressional redistricting plan that could help the party win four more U.S. House seats, as the justices review legal challenges to the effort.

GOP Sen. Steve Daines last-minute withdrawal from Senate race was meant to block Democrats from fielding a top-tier recruit

Daines was aware that if he withdrew too soon then Democrats would have a chance at fielding one of several potential Democrats — namely former Sen. Jon Tester or former Govs. Brian Schweitzer or Steve Bullock.

Bill —

Tuesday’s State of the Union was another reminder of how divided Washington has become. Instead of laying out a vision that spoke to the whole country, the President spent much of the speech framing the moment as Republicans versus Democrats. (Independents anyone?) At times he talked down to Democrats and suggested they were the problem rather than partners in governing. That kind of language may excite partisans, but it does not lower costs, secure the border, strengthen families, or rebuild trust. Many Americans already feel the country is on the wrong track, and they are tired of politics that puts winning over working together.

The President also outlined some of his legislative agenda for the year ahead. He urged Congress to codify his plans to reduce prescription drug prices, fully fund DHS, enact election reforms, ban Congressional stock trading and pursue other major policy changes. Forward believes these ideas should be aired openly with honest debate and real cost estimates, not used as partisan talking points. Important changes to taxes, spending, elections, and immigration policy affect every American. Congress should treat these issues with seriousness and work across party lines to find solutions.

There were parts of the speech we welcomed. The President’s proposal to expand retirement savings accounts could help more workers build long-term financial security. People deserve better tools to save and invest for their future. We also support the idea of restricting members of Congress from trading individual stocks so that public service is not a path to personal profit. Forward will push lawmakers in both parties to build upon good ideas such as these and make them a reality.

The speech included a number of claims that were exaggerated or did not hold up to scrutiny. Independent fact-checkers found that the President’s statements about economic growth, investment figures, jobs, and border security did not match the available data. For example, his claim that he had secured more than $18 trillion in new investment was far higher than the actual numbers reported by the White House and analysts. Other claims about record-low crime, instantly falling gas prices, or ending multiple wars were either misleading or overstated when checked against official data and outside reporting. These kinds of broad, unsupported statements make it harder for the public to have an honest conversation about how well policies are working and what should come next.

On the ceremonial side, the President honored several Americans for service and sacrifice, and those moments deserve recognition. He awarded the Medal of Honor to Captain Royce Williams, a 100-year-old Navy veteran, and to Chief Warrant Officer Eric Slover, a wounded Army helicopter pilot. He announced the Presidential Medal of Freedom for Olympic hockey goaltender Connor Hellebuyck for helping bring home gold. He presented the Legion of Merit to Coast Guard rescue swimmer Scott Ruskan for saving lives during devastating floods in Texas. And he recognized Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe and Specialist Sarah Beckstrom with Purple Hearts for their service after Specialist Beckstrom was killed and Staff Sergeant Wolfe severely injured in an attack on the streets of Washington, D.C. These individuals represent courage and sacrifice that all Americans can respect.

But most families are focused on everyday costs that keep going up. Groceries cost more. Housing costs more. Some types of Energy cost more. People feel squeezed and are looking for real relief. Respected voices across the political spectrum have warned that dismissing concerns about affordability is out of touch with reality. Forward believes affordability is not a talking point. It is the daily reality for millions of Americans. Congress needs to stop ceding its authority to the WH or trying to score points and start working together on real solutions that lower costs and expand opportunity.

There were uplifting moments, like honoring our brave troops and celebrating Americans’ achievements. But unity requires leaders who respect differences and refuse to treat political opponents as enemies. Forward will continue to call for calm, practical leadership from our officials and recruit candidates focused on solving problems and strengthening trust. Americans deserve a government that isn’t so at odds with itself that it can’t solve problems.

Please forward this to your friends, family, and coworkers. It helps us introduce them to Forward and to what we are building. Also consider inviting them to one of our upcoming events listed below. We’d love to meet them.

This episode makes the case for building a durable political movement that restores voter choice, rewards problem-solving, and helps everyday Americans step into leadership where it counts.

We hope you enjoy! Don’t forget to let us know what you think.

Click the image below to watch.

ICYMI: The Forward Party Podcast – Behind the Scenes reel

Welcome Team Training – March 2

A quick training and show of resources for new members of the Welcome Team! Welcome Team participants will call new supporters in their state and welcome them to the Forward Party. A suggested script for conversations and an email template for follow up will be provided.

FWD TN Statewide Call w/ Khalil Ekulona – March 2

Forward Tennessee needs YOU! With our endorsement of Lauren Pinkston for governor and other exciting developments in the state, it’s time to put a team together. Please join us for a statewide call to discuss all things Forward Tennessee.

AAPI Committee Meeting – March 4

You are invited to the first meeting of the Forward Party AAPI Committee. This meeting brings together members and supporters who want to ensure Asian American and Pacific Islander communities are seen, heard, and represented in shaping the future of our democracy. 

This first meeting will focus on connection, listening, and alignment. We’ll introduce the committee’s mission and values, hear from participants about the issues and opportunities facing our communities, and begin identifying priorities for the months ahead.

Forward Voice: ICE and the Rule of Law – March 11

This virtual discussion, hosted by the Veterans and Military Families Committee and the Hispanic and Latino Committee of the Forward Party, centers on Forward’s core value of the Rule of Law and examines recent cases in which American citizens, including veterans and their family members, have been unlawfully detained or deported by ICE, raising serious concerns about due process, accountability, and government overreach. The conversation will focus on what the Rule of Law means in practice: holding government agencies accountable when they exceed their legal authority, while also respecting and enforcing immigration law in a lawful, transparent, and constitutional manner rooted in human dignity.

Joe Manchin, Andrew Yang, & Justin Amash: The Two-Party Problem 

On Saturday, February 21, Forward Party co-founder Andrew Yang joined former West Virginia Governor and Senator Joe Manchin, and former Michigan Congressman Justin Amash on America’s largest nonprofit speaker series, The Richmond Forum, for a conversation called The Two-party Problem. The leaders discussed how “political tribalism stifles innovation and consensus” and  explored “alternative voting systems, the rise of independents, and whether a post-partisan future is possible.” They also “challenged the audience to rethink the foundations of American democracy in a time when the old rules are not working.” A clip of Andrew speaking can be viewed here and a write up of the event is featured at this link.

Bill —

As we read the news and see Americans concerned about the costs imposed on them by tariffs, Presidential and Congressional approval ratings exploring new lows, continuously swirling questions about accountability and association with Jeffrey Epstein among U.S. officials, and more, we are reminded of our roots. Why does Forward exist?

Forward Party was born of the simple but profound idea that what ails our competitive American democracy is “lack thereof”: competition. Real, healthy competition. The current political system rewards division, stifles competition, and has literally devolved into one-party rule in several states. It is a system meant to preserve power and status quo, not one meant to lead Americans into and solve the problems of the future.

Americans want a system that hears them. Hearing implies active listening. Care. Concern. A genuine desire to touch the lives of many in a positive, intentional manner. To do this, a certain type of candidate–a certain type of person–must be able to win elections. This requires a system that draws people of high integrity into politics and builds electoral systems that allow them to fairly compete and win on the basis of their accomplishments and merits.

This is what we at Forward, with your help, seek to build. And we are. You are.

This is an election year and a very critical one. (As they all are, really.) We encourage you to be engaged, involved, and informed. We encourage you contact your elected leadership and to vote. And we thank you for your support of our mission and ask for your continued help getting our message out. Tell your friends about us: Together, stronger. Let us build a future on the lessons of the past and present.

Please forward this to your friends, family, and coworkers. It helps us introduce them to Forward and to what we are building. Also consider inviting them to one of our upcoming events listed below. We’d love to meet them.

Joined by veteran political journalist Chris Cillizza and professor and historian Dr. Jeremi Suri, the conversation explores what this moment means for the future of democracy and whether a new party can move the country forward. With nearly half of Americans now identifying as independent, the hosts dig into what that really signals. Is it frustration with polarization? A rejection of party loyalty? Or a deeper desire for common-sense solutions that neither major party seems willing to prioritize?

Chris Cillizza offers an unfiltered look at today’s political climate, arguing that while the appetite for change is real, building a successful third party requires more than a headline-grabbing announcement. It takes grassroots organizing, credible candidates, and proof that independent leaders can win and govern.

Dr. Jeremi Suri, chair of Leadership in Global Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin, places this political moment in context. He draws parallels to the 1850’s and the Progressive Era, times when economic upheaval and social change disrupted existing party systems and opened space for new movements.

According to Dr. Suri, when major parties fail to address pressing concerns, voters eventually realign around leaders and ideas that better reflect their lived realities. Together, the guests explore how today’s transformations, from artificial intelligence and workforce disruption to health care affordability and political disengagement, are reshaping expectations of government. The conversation challenges the idea that Americans are divided on everything. In reality, there is broad agreement on many core issues, but the current system amplifies the smallest points of conflict.

We hope you enjoy! Don’t forget to let us know what you think.

Click the image below to watch.

ICYMI: The Forward Party Podcast – Behind the Scenes reel

Forward Party’s Schultz, independent Sweet join crowded race for county treasurer

Georgia FWD Statewide Call with Former Mayor Copenhaver

Join us Monday, February 23 at 7:00 PM for what might be the most inspiring (and entertaining) 45 minutes of your month. Former Augusta Mayor Deke Copenhaver is dropping by to share how Forward can bring collaborative leadership to Georgia.

Minnesota Special State Convention Feb26

Join FWD-MN for an ad hoc state convention to address a plethora of party building and election year issues on February 25!

Welcome Team Training

A quick training and show of resources for new members of the Welcome Team! Welcome Team participants will call new supporters in their state and welcome them to the Forward Party. A suggested script for conversations and an email template for follow up will be provided.

FWD TN Statewide Call w/ Khalil Ekulona

Forward Tennessee needs YOU! With our endorsement of Lauren Pinkston for governor and other exciting developments in the state, it’s time to put a team together. Please join us for a statewide call to discuss all things Forward Tennessee.

Bill takes aim at Arizona Independent Party name change

What’s in a name? For new political parties in Arizona, it won’t be terms like “independent” if a recently proposed bill gets through the Legislature.

Virginia House of Delegates Passes Ranked Choice Voting Expansion

A bill that expands ranked choice voting in Virginia has passed the state House of Delegates not long after it was referred out of committee. If signed into law, the bill will allow cities and counties to adopt the reform for all elections.

Chat: What lies ahead for redistricting and the Voting Rights Act?

Six states have drawn new congressional maps this cycle — but experts say a Supreme Court case could kick mid-decade redistricting into overdrive.