The Forward Party Rides National Momentum into Massachusetts
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Boston, MA – Many Bay Staters are both frustrated with our political system and looking for a hopeful vision of the future. The Forward Party is offering this group a new political home, welcoming all problem solvers and those looking for moderation and compromise from their elected officials.
After collecting well over the required petition signatures, the Forward Party is establishing itself within Massachusetts as a minor party, filing for a political designation. The Massachusetts Forward Party’s new political designation allows voters to enroll as a Massachusetts Forward Party (MFP) member and allows candidates to run for office with the MFP designation.
“I see the Forward Party as a catalyst for candidates that respect everyone’s time and attention in society and as a rallying point for voters who appreciate independent thought but have a desire for collective action,” says Sean Diamond, Independent Candidate for Waltham State Representative (Middlesex 9th District), who will be the first candidate in Massachusetts to use this new designation in November. “I’m excited that the Forward Party is taking a ‘big tent’ approach, welcoming candidates and voters from any party or none at all. I believe that within a decade of this historic occasion, the Forward Party will not only gain full recognition as a political party but become the second largest political party in the state.”
Forward Executive Chair and former Babson College President as well as former Massachusetts Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey was present to celebrate and had this to say about the occasion: “Massachusetts has long been a national leader in education, health care and innovation, due in great part to its rich history of collaboration and balance between its Democratic legislature and Republican governors. But today, our political system in Massachusetts is broken. More than 60% of Massachusetts’ registered voters choose not to affiliate as either Republicans or Democrats, and the Massachusetts GOP claims only 8 percent of registered voters. The Forward Party was founded by former Democrat Andrew Yang and former Republican Governor Christine Todd Whitman in 2022 as an alternative to the stagnation, polarization and negativity of the duopoly. Forward offers a principled, pragmatic, collaborative and innovative alternative for independent voters. We are excited today to announce that the Forward Party now has officially filed as a Political Designation, and we are proud to announce our first Forward Party candidate for the State Legislature, Sean Diamond.
Forward aspires to fill the political void that has left Massachusetts voters with no real alternatives at the ballot box. In 2022, candidates in 107 of the 160 legislative races ran unopposed—that’s not democracy when you have no choice. Massachusetts doesn’t need a third party alternative, it needs a second party, with new candidates; exciting, future-oriented ideas; and a passion for service over party loyalty. We welcome like-minded Democrats, Republicans and Independents who don’t care where good ideas come from, who focus on the data when making important decisions and who believe in respectful debate.”
“Forward’s national momentum meets the moment, reflecting the sentiment of the current political climate. Massachusetts joins the growing list of states accelerating its momentum nationwide,” says Massachusetts Forward Party Leader Keoni Aricayos. Examples of that momentum include legal recognition in Florida, North Carolina, Connecticut, Colorado, and Utah; and over 40 elected Forwardists in 11 states.
Over the next few months, the Massachusetts Forward Party will be focusing on outreach as well as identifying and supporting Massachusetts candidates aligned with our values.
As more and more Americans grow sick of the outdated two-party system in this country, more and more elected officials are finding a welcoming home in the Forward Party. “We’re seeing an unprecedented number of elected leaders reach out to us, tired of being told what’s best for their constituents by out-of-touch party leaders,” said Lindsey Williams Drath, Forward Party’s CEO. “We believe that voters put people in office in order to solve their problems, and the Forward Party is creating space for these public servants to do just that, without requiring them to adopt policy positions they don’t believe in or know won’t work just to toe the party line.”
Massachusetts Forwardists are holding virtual and in-person events found on https://home.forwardparty.com/massachusetts and are having an in-person kick-off Launch Party July 6th with Keynote speakers (TBD).
If you’re interested in talking with the national leadership or the leadership of the MA team about the Forward Party, please reach out to Natalie Medved at [email protected] or Keoni Aricayos at [email protected].
The Forward Party is bringing moderates, conservatives, and progressives together to heal our political divisions, find our shared ground, and create a brighter future for America. Forward Party candidates are accountable to the voters, and they will focus on solutions, not partisan fighting, in order to serve their constituents better. https://www.forwardparty.com
For more information about the Forward Party, please read through our Prospectus and Fact Sheet.