The 2024 election is one of the most critical in American history. Our democracy is
under siege, with a political climate so toxic it’s driving people away from civic
engagement altogether. But this year, The Forward Party will sit out the presidential
race. As much as we’d love to dive into the main event race and shake things up, we
know the reality—we’re not yet in a position to win the presidency.
Although we at the Forward Party intend to build a fully functioning political party, we
are only at the beginning of that journey. It’s no easy task to build a viable political
party in the United States; our system is designed to make it a near impossibility. And,
for the time being, running a presidential candidate without a viable path to victory is
simply reckless. We’re not here to play spoiler. In 2024, the American people must
choose between the only two candidates with a real path to victory. Our democracy is in
the hands of voters to reject those who openly threaten the rule of law, our democracy,
and our freedom.
As a result, we have adopted a two-tiered strategy—one for 2024 and another for 2025
and beyond. We’re building a party from the ground up and that will take time. This
year, we’re laser-focused on making a difference where it counts: in local and state
contests, and in a handful of critical U.S. House and Senate races. These are the
elections where we can start cracking open the stranglehold of the two-party system.
We’re working on real, sustainable change.
In 2024, we’re planting the seeds of a movement—one that’s grounded in practical
solutions instead of ideological purity tests. The Forward Party is putting its energy
behind candidates who are committed to working for all their constituents, not just their
partisan bases. Some will run as “Forwardists,” while others might run on a major party
line but are equally committed to advancing our core values. These are the battles we
can win now, and they’re the steppingstones to something much bigger.
Let’s be clear about something else: The Forward Party isn’t interested in playing the
same old partisan games. We’re not the Democratic Party, we’re not the Republican
Party, and we’re not some ideologically rigid fringe group. We’re building a “big tent,”
and when we say big, we mean it. Each of us brings our personal views to the table, we
fight for what we believe in, we find common ground and we move forward.
We welcome everyone who’s tired of the extremes and dysfunction dominating our
politics today. Whether you’ve been a lifelong Democrat, Republican, or an Independent
fed up with the whole mess, there’s a place for you in the Forward Party. This isn’t about
compromising values; it’s about finding common ground on the issues that matter
most—such as fixing our broken borders with a functioning immigration system, seriously addressing climate change, and building an economy that works for everyone, not just the elite few. Most importantly, it’s about protecting our Constitution so future generations can enjoy the freedoms given to us by our parents and grandparents.
This approach isn’t just strategic—it’s urgent. The challenges we face as a nation are too
massive to be tackled by one party alone, and certainly not by the narrow ideological
factions that have been holding us back. We’re building a coalition that’s about
solutions, not slogans.
So, what’s next? After we’ve made our mark in 2024, we’re not just going to pat
ourselves on the back and call it a day. We’re going to keep fighting to reshape our
political landscape.
Beginning in 2025, we aim to become a force that will not be ignored—a party with a
solid 50-state presence and broad-based support. When we do run a presidential
candidate—and we will—it will be because we’re in a position to win.
To those who might question our strategy: We’re looking at the bigger picture. We’re
playing the long game, and we’re playing it to win. If you’re tired of the same old
politics, if you’re ready for something different, something real—join us. The Forward
Party isn’t just another option; it’s a new path to improving our political system where
politicians are rewarded not for obeying their party’s leaders, but for getting things
done.
And make no mistake—democracy is far more fragile than we realize. If we don’t start to
protect it right now, our kids will be living in a very different world.
Michael Willner – Forward Party Board Member