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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. |
| REMINDER: The next episode of The Forward Party Podcast is now live! In Episode 3 of The Forward Party Podcast*, Gov. Christine Todd Whitman, Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey, and Lindsey Williams Drath take a wide-angle look at one of the most important shifts in American politics: the rise of independent voters and the growing demand for a new political approach.
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 |
Christina Schultz, a financial professional, and Andy Sweet, a Main Street business owner, are also running for the position. Schultz, endorsed by former U.S. Presidential candidate and businessman Andrew Yang’s Forward Party, announced her candidacy Wednesday. Sweet, running with no affiliation, launched his campaign early in the year.
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Join us Monday, February 23 at 7:00 PMÂ 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.
Join FWD-MN for an ad hoc state convention to address a plethora of party building and election year issues on February 25!
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.
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. |
| Contrary to what our detractors on social media say, YES, we read!
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.
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.
Six states have drawn new congressional maps this cycle — but experts say a Supreme Court case could kick mid-decade redistricting into overdrive.
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