Voters have long argued for a third party that would more accurately reflect their political opinions, and former presidential candidate Andrew Yang is looking to continue pressing that narrative and lead the charge. Comprised of dismayed Democrats, Republicans, and Independents, the Forward party has officially announced itself as a “viable” national political third party.
The party, espousing its centrist views, also announced that two key pillars of its platform include to “give Americans more choices in elections, more confidence in a government that works, and more say in our future” as well as to “reinvigorate a fair, flourishing economy.”
What that means for voters will surely be explained in the coming months, but one question it’s expected to answer ahead of its official launch is “how will we solve the big issues facing America? Not Left. Not Right. Forward.”
Democrats have responded to the announcement by warning that the Forward party will affect Democrats greatly, siphoning votes away from them instead of siphoning them from Republicans.
When interviewed about the party’s plan, Yang said that Forward is “starting in a very strong financial position” and that “financial support will not be a problem.”
Spearheading the party are members of previous administrations including the Trump administration.
Miles Taylor, a former Homeland Security official, is heavily involved, saying that Forward will provide voters with “a viable, credible national third party.”
Also linked to the new party is Florida Rep. David Jolly (I), who formerly served in the U.S. House of Representatives as a Republican, and later became a critic of President Donald Trump (R).
In 2018, Jolly announced that he had resigned from the Republican Party, and considered running for lieutenant governor of Florida on a bipartisan ticket with Florida Rep. Patrick Murphy (D), but ultimately decided not to.
No announcements have been made regarding the 2024 presidential election, but the Forward party does plan on attain party registration and ballot access in 50 states by the end of 2024.
