Joining the Forward movement is an opportunity to distinguish yourself from politics as usual, and be a part of something truly special.
In many cases, it doesn't require changing parties at all!
Of course, we love to see careful and informed decision-making from our leaders, and that applies here as well. So when you're done reading about why you should run with Forward, and what our party is looking for in our candidates, we encourage you to reach out to us with any questions that you might have, so that we can get this conversation started.
Why Join Forward?
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The Forward Promise - Forward is a new kind of party, and at the heart of that is our promise to empower independent thinkers and dynamic solvers to bring their and their constituents' unique voices to the table. This is the Forward Promise, and we believe it is central to our ability to foster better solutions for the challenges that we face.
Plus, we don't like being told what to believe, so why should we be telling you what to believe? -
A Growing Resource Network - Empowering problem solvers at every level means more than just letting them have different beliefs. It also means building up a strong network of tools and support, built up not only through our party but through our many partner organizations dedicated to building a better politics.
These resources range from guides and workshops on productive governance, to a network of hundreds of other candidates and elected officials to share insights and ideas. And of course, there are our many supporters, donors, and volunteers, to whom we'll be more than happy to broadcast your message. -
A Critical Opportunity Ahead - Forward was built on more than just hope and idealism - there's also a shared belief that a different kind of politics genuinely can succeed, and there's no better time for it than now. Even in Florida, with our closed primary structure, over four million voters have chosen not to be a part of either major party, and that number is growing rapidly. Our duopoly isn't doing its job of serving the people, and the people are fed up.
And so, with a strategic mindset and plan of attack, and with exceptional leaders under our banner (that means you), the possibility is real. With your help, we can move Forward.
What We're Looking For
Though any voter can legally join our party, those who want to seek our official endorsement and support - including Forward-affiliated Democrats and Republicans - will need to go through a formal evaluation process by our Executive Committee. Here's what we'll be looking for:
- Dignity - Do you consistently demonstrate grace and tolerance when discussing critical matters?
- Humility - Do you appreciate that issues are complicated, do you welcome criticism and debate, and do you utilize data to make informed policy proposals and conclusions?
- Transparency - Are you honest and forthright about voting and governing intentions, and do you make clear the principles and logic that may inform your future decisions?
- Responsiveness - Do you take time to listen to constituents, and create avenues for them to provide input?
- Focus - Are you ready to work with others towards the common ground principles of free people, thriving communities, and vibrant democracy? Do you value solving problems and bringing real results over riling up voters and making ideological statements?
Switch or Affiliate?
If you're interested in joining our movement as an elected official, you can of course change your party affiliation (though please note that this might affect your eligibility to run if you have an upcoming election campaign). If you do, you'll be making a powerful statement that you're tired of your party's current direction, and that you want to be a part of a powerful new mediating force in our government, committed to empowering problem solvers to solve problems.
But you don't have to leave your party! By joining as an affiliated Democrat or Republican, you're sending the message that you want to work through your party towards a politics that welcomes new ideas, that works effectively towards solving problems, and that empowers dynamic leadership at every level. Because the reality is that we do need partisans in an effective discourse, to advocate constructively for their values, for their constituents, and for their concerns. We're stronger when we listen to each other and work together, and we salute those politicians - left, right, and anywhere in between - helping to make better discourse happen.
Ready to Join the Movement?
If all of the above sounds good to you, and you think you're ready to explore joining the Forward movement as a candidate, party-switcher, or affiliated official, then let's get this conversation started. Send us an email at [email protected], and we'll get back to you within 24 hours with next steps.
