King, Citron, Powell Gain Forward Endorsement Based on Demonstrated Commitment to Accountable Governance, Electoral Reform, and Fighting Corruption
10/30/2023
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
New Jersey – The Forward Party is proud to announce its endorsement of candidates for the New Jersey state legislature from District 23 (LD23). These candidates are Denise King for State Senate, and Guy Citron and Tyler Powell for State General Assembly.
Steve Barratt, a state leader from New Jersey, explained the endorsements: “These candidates have embraced the Forward Party values and priorities. Accountability in our elected officials is key, and Denise, Guy, and Tyler all support this value as is seen by their advocacy for electoral reforms such as ranked-choice voting and a nonpartisan, top-4 primary. These reforms will help lead the way to more competitive elections, more choices for voters, and a more responsive government for New Jersey.”
Said Tyler Powell: “I intend to work hard to be on a first name basis with as many constituents as possible.”
Ms. King pointed to her commitment to listening in order to properly understand and represent the interests of the District.
Mr. Citron repeatedly emphasized the need to work across the aisle to solve problems for his District. “I don’t care who they voted for,” he said. “A resident of the 23rd District can rest assured that I will work with whoever I need to, regardless of party affiliation, in order to promote their interests. I run proudly as a Forward Democrat.”
Outside of the value of accountability, the Forward Party is also focused on fighting against corruption in our government. Senior leadership has released strong statements against TX Attorney General Ken Paxton and, relevant to New Jersey, Sen. Bob Menendez. The LD23 candidates have also taken stances against such corruption.
The LD23 candidates join other Forward endorsees and elected officials across the country, including mayors, members of city councils, and state legislators from California, Florida, and Arizona, among others. The Forward Party is built around shared values rather than a set of policy prescriptions, allowing local leaders to focus on solutions that will work in their communities. The Party’s focus on values allows our elected officials to work across the aisle to find shared solutions rather than engaging in partisan fighting tied to ideologies that fail to produce results for Americans.
Forward Affiliates are elected officials who retain their party registration with one of the two major parties, but publicly join with Forward and pledge to govern according to this values-based platform:
BOTTOM-UP, NOT TOP-DOWN
Forward empowers leaders to find solutions that work in their communities. We won’t dictate a rigid, top-down policy platform and expect it to work for all Americans.
DIVERSE THINKING ISN’T JUST WELCOME, IT’S REQUIRED
Forward welcomes new ideas and fearless conversations around the issues of the day. We won’t silence debate or refuse to adapt to the modern world.
WORK TOGETHER, NOT AGAINST
Forward strives for collaborative solutions. We’ll make sure they work, and we’ll try something else if they don’t.
ALL ARE WELCOME — LEFT, RIGHT, OR CENTER
Forward is creating a political home for everyone willing to work together in good faith to find practical ways to make this country better.
MORE LISTENING, LESS TALKING
Forward is asking what we can do for your community. We will not ask what your community can do for us.
GRACE AND TOLERANCE
Forward believes in approaching one another with grace and tolerance, finding ways to pick people back up rather than knock them down.
REFORM MINDED
Forward supports election reform policies such as ranked-choice voting and open, nonpartisan primaries to bring more competition and better options to the ballot in local elections.
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.”
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 Q3 Fact Sheet.