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The Forward Party has been building the infrastructure that serious political change requires. This week, Forward’s drivers are proving every step is one we take together for the growth of the movement.
More than anything, this is an opportunity to leave a lasting legacy, not through any single campaign or election but by helping build one of the most consequential pieces of civic infrastructure for American politics in a generation.
This Week in Texas
Mike Collier fought for the movement’s future
On Monday, U.S. District Judge Robert Pitman denied Mike Collier’s request for a temporary injunction that would have placed him on the Texas ballot as an independent candidate for Lieutenant Governor. Judge Pitman expressed sympathy for Collier’s situation, noting that the burden the law creates is not felt similarly by candidates from the Republican and Democratic parties, but he concluded that it was not clear Collier would have succeeded in getting on the ballot even if Texas had a more moderate requirement.
Collier will not be on the November ballot in Texas. That is a loss for the people of Texas who will once again have fewer choices in who to place in elected leadership. This is not the end of the story, however. Not by a long measure.
We highlighted the case in Texas previously and supported Mike in the lawsuit. As a reminder, Texas law requires that 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 prohibited independent candidates from signature collection until after the primary runoff elections, which gave them only 30 days.
Collier took on Texas’s ballot access system, which, we should note, is so burdensome that no independent candidate for statewide office has ever qualified for the ballot in a Texas race with a primary runoff. Mike knew the odds were steep and that the timeline was nearly impossible.
The temporary injunction was denied but the constitutional case continues with an expected decision later this year. This ruling does not end the lawsuit. It does not settle the constitutional question. It establishes a legal record and creates precedent for future challenges. Mike Collier did not fight this battle just to get on the ballot in 2026. He fought it to build the case for changes to the ballot in 2028 and beyond.
What We Are Building with Mike Collier and Hundreds of Others Like Him
For our volunteers, donors, Fast Forward readers, and beyond, we want to say directly that our work is real. Our dedication to this country’s democracy is why we have put in the effort all these years. It is why we continue to stand behind the people who see the path to change, and we welcome more every day to join us in building something better.
When people talk about a political movement, they usually mean the candidates, the yard signs, the rallies. Those things matter. But the part of a political movement that determines whether it lasts is the part nobody talks about: the infrastructure that operates underneath it all.
Forward has grown state-level teams, now expanding into 41 states with chapters, leaders, volunteers, and the legal standing to participate in the political process as recognized entities.
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We are reaching communities. The Forward Party’s presence in New Mexico, for example, has earned minor party status and is fielding candidates for Magistrate Judge, Public Education Commissioner, State Auditor, and U.S. Senate. New Mexico Forward Party even prevailed on a ballot access dispute before a single court hearing recently. The fact that the filing prompted a county clerk to reverse a disqualification decision illustrates something important about the long game Forward is playing. We are not going away. This is a local story but one that shows the movement is real. Parties that are serious about governing show up in county courthouses and school board races, not just Senate campaigns – and the Forward Party is doing both.
Real change has never happened fast. It has always happened because people did not stop their pursuit of change.
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What does it take to govern effectively when you leave the traditional party system behind? On this episode of The Forward Party Podcast, hosts Lindsey Drath, former New Jersey Governor Christine Todd Whitman, and former Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healy sit down with two independent candidates running for governor in 2026: Ken Block of Rhode Island and Rick Bennett of Maine.
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.
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— August 15, 2026 at 5:00pm Eastern Time
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.
— August 17, 2026 at 7:00pm Eastern Time
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 email template for follow up will be provided.
— August 26, 2026 at 7:30pm Eastern Time
Join the Forward Women’s Committee, along with special guest and Executive Co-chair Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey, for inspiring ways you can take action this campaign season.
If you’re tired of waiting for the system to fix itself — this is your moment.
👥 Volunteer | 🗳️ Run for Office | 💸 Donate | 🌐 forwardparty.com
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Frances Kava of Deming, New Mexico will run for a magistrate judge seat in Luna County on the Forward Party ticket, joining Santa Fe County magistrate judge candidate Harry Montoya and Public Education Commission candidate Dennis Dinge as the party’s currently qualified candidates on the ballot.
Bob Chew, the Forward Party nominee for U.S. Senate in Colorado, sends household objects flying in a TV ad set to run statewide through September, backed by $1.3 million in ad reservations across multiple platforms, his campaign told Colorado Politics.
Michael Bridgford challenges Miller-Meeks, Bohannan as independent in Iowa’s 1st Congressional District race
Independent gubernatorial candidate Rick Bennett is renewing his long-running push for campaign finance reform, calling on his opponents in Maine’s race for governor to support stronger transparency laws and disclose more information about the people and organizations supporting their campaigns.
Chuck Todd breaks down the primary races this week and spotlights the Wisconsin win specifically by David Crowley.
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