The Forward Party is looking for leaders who want to make a real difference in their local communities by governing the Forward way!
Whether you’re planning on running for office or are currently a sitting elected official, we want YOU to demonstrate what it looks like to be a Forward Leader in your community.
Candidates looking to run as Forwardists |
Currently elected officials looking to lead as Forwardists |
A candidate or elected official |
Any leader who commits to governing according to our principles and values, putting the interests of their community above ideology and working to heal divides rather than exploit them, can find a home at Forward.
“For me, I feel like now I have a party that supports me wanting to do that instead of a party that wants me to stand against everything and get nothing done [...] I have a party now that is judging my leadership based on the ability to get things done and to compromise and work with other people.” – Jordan Marlowe, Mayor of Newberry, FL and a registered Forwardist |
“We can’t solve big problems or major policy because we are electing people who are beholden to party ideals and less worried about finding that middle ground.” – Lisa Boscola, PA State Senator and a Forward Democrat |
ADOPTING A VALUES-BASED PLATFORM
The Forward Party doesn’t enforce adherence to a particular set of policies. Rather, we believe that candidates and officials should commit themselves to objective and verifiable standards of transparency and accountability, and behave in a way that reflects our core principles and values.
Forward Leaders are those who:
- Want to be true public servants, leading in their communities as an act of service
- Believe in choice and accountability in our electoral processes, and are willing to fight for reforms that will increase them (e.g., ranked-choice voting, independent redistricting commissions, term limits)
- Seek out opposing views and work towards shared ground
- Commit to transparency during their time in office, through public disclosures of affiliations, conflicts of interest, and activities that might impact their decision making
- Look to regularly engage with their constituents to have conversations about how they can best serve them
We’re ready and willing to cross-endorse candidates from other parties as long as their values are aligned with ours. There are “Forward Democrats” and “Forward Republicans” out there, and we’re pleased to support them and work with them on shared priorities. In states where we have ballot access, we’re also able to have officially registered Forwardists in office and seeking election!
Forward Party Leaders are not going to all agree on specific policy positions, but they will agree that the best way to deliver for Americans is to get in a room with others, have a good faith debate over solutions, engage in practical experimentation, and measure the results to see what works and what doesn’t. This is the only way we can move this country forward.
Candidates looking to run as Forwardists |
Currently elected officials looking to lead as Forwardists |
A candidate or elected official |
[PICTURE OF PA STATE SEN. WILLIAMS] |
PENNSYLVANIA | STATE SENATE SD-8 | INCUMBENT |
[PICTURE OF ALMA HERNANDEZ] |
ARIZONA | STATE HOUSE CD-3 | INCUMBENT |
FLORIDA | SEMINOLE COUNTY SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS | CANDIDATE |
[PICTURE OF BRIAN BEUTE] |
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What do Forward Leaders stand for?
Our values-based platform is made up of a few core principles.
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What are you looking for in your applications?
Unlike the major parties, we’re not looking for what an applicant can do for US, we’re looking for what they can do for their COMMUNITY. We welcome all applicants of all political backgrounds – left, right, center – and experiences, as long as they’re willing to govern according to our principles and values.
In your application, we’re primarily looking for this alignment with our principles and values, demonstrated either through public service or time in the private sphere, by reading about your background, the office that you’re running for or currently hold, and the community that you serve.
Please note you SHOULD NOT share non-public information (campaign plans, projects, activities, needs, etc).
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I’m a Democrat/Republican/Other - can I still apply for endorsement or affiliation with Forward?
You should still apply!
Here at the Forward Party, we are interested in supporting good public servants who are driving towards real solutions for their constituents. We believe there are Democrats and Republicans out there who are doing this.
A central belief of the Party is that strict policy litmus tests stifle innovation and prevent compromise that creates real, lasting solutions. We want leaders – left, right, and center – who are committed to working together to address problems in their communities. As long as someone is committed to our principles and values, we welcome them to lead their community under the Forward name.
Forward, Forward Democrat, or Forward Republican - it’s more important to us that you uphold our values than what you label yourself as. Though, in states where we have official recognition, we certainly invite these leaders to officially register as members of the Forward Party.
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Who reviews my application?
The Forward Party is building this Party from the ground up, and that means empowering state leaders and parties to drive on choosing the candidates who best represent them. Your application will be reviewed by members of the state team in which you’re running, with support from members of the national team. Leaders from other states may be involved, as well, in order to provide their perspective.
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What kind of support can I expect from Forward?
As a part of the consideration process, Forward will run a legal analysis on what support is permissible in your jurisdiction. We’ll work with the state parties to determine what level of support to provide, within those confines.
The following list highlights ways that we have, in the past, supported Forward leaders, within the confines of all relevant local, state, and national laws:
Public Endorsement and Support:
The Forward Party has publicly endorsed and supported prior leaders, highlighting the aspects of their campaigns and platforms that align best with our values.Forward Communications Guidance:
The Forward Party has a lot of experience in speaking with voters about our unique approach and mission. We have provided this guidance, on a general level, to leaders who are interested in talking about the Forward Party.Grassroots Community Connections:
Connectivity is key to success. The Forward Party has relationships with reform groups and grasstops leaders across the country. They have enjoyed meeting leaders we have endorsed and supporting their campaigns.Volunteer Support:
The Forward Party’s members are dedicated and passionate, looking for opportunities to support public servants who are representing their constituents well, and fighting for solutions to our biggest problems. Forward leaders have seen these volunteers phone bank, knock doors, and get out the vote in their campaigns.Involvement in the FWD Community:
Forward has hosted well over a thousand events at the state and national level. We’ve asked Forward leaders to attend these meetings to meet with and speak to our supporters. We’ve also hosted campaign events for Forward leaders, where allowed by local regulations.National Communications Support:
Our national press team regularly reaches out to publications to write stories about Forward’s activities. We’ve frequently connected them with leaders who identify as Forwardists to provide interviews.Effective Digital Media Channels:
Forward leaders of all types have been highlighted on our social media channels, through messages, infographics, and even live discussions.National Influencer Support:
The Forward Party has many nationally prominent members, including co-Chairs Andrew Yang and Governor Christie Todd Whitman. Forward leaders have frequently engaged in public conversations with these individuals, through social media, online events, and other channels.(Note: The national Forward Party, the Forward State Party, your campaign, and sitting government officials are regulated by government ethics and campaign finance laws, and all support is contingent on whether an analysis of these laws shows that such support is allowable.)
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What if I still have some questions?
If you still have some questions or need to make any changes/additions to your existing application, please send them to [email protected]
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