New political party announced by former Republican and Democrat officials

Written by Jamie Epstein, Countable News

What’s the party?

• Former Republican and Democratic officials announced a new national political third party that appeals to millions of Americans as the dysfunction of the two-party system comes to light. The new party, called the Forward party, will initially be co-chaired by former Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang and the former Republican governor of New Jersey, Christine Todd Whitman. Officials hope to create a viable alternative to the Democratic and Republican parties, which dominate U.S. politics. 
• The party is currently centrist and has no specific policies. The pillars of the party’s platform are to “reinvigorate a fair, flourishing economy” and to “give Americans more choices in elections, more confidence in a government that works, and more say in our future.” 
• The party was created by three political groups, which have emerged in recent years to combat the polarization and gridlock of America’s political systems. The merger involves the Renew America Movement, created in 2021 by former officials from Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, George W. Bush, and Donald Trump’s administrations; the Serve America Movement, directed by former Republican congressman David Jolly; and Yang’s initial Forward Party. Yang has stated that between the three groups, there are hundreds of thousands of donors and grassroots members lined up.
• The party leaders will roll out the platform and attempt to gain supporters through a series of events this fall. There will be an official launch in Houston on Sept. 24, and the party’s first national convention will take place next summer. 
• The Forward party aims to gain party registration and ballot access in 15 states by the end of this year and across the country by late 2024. Leaders plan to soon field candidates for local races and eventually work up to the presidency. 

Do we need a third party?

• Historically, America’s two-party system has led to the failure of third parties. Political analysts are unsure how the Forward party might impact the next elections as America is in a deeply polarized state. 
• Support for a third party is at a high point throughout the country – a Gallup poll last year showed that 62% of Americans believe a third party is needed. Since 2012, Gallup has found that Americans consistently support the idea of a third party. The poll also found that 50% of U.S. adults identify as politically independent, the highest percentage that Gallup has ever measured, and that Republicans are nearly as likely as independents to favor a third political party, a dramatic shift from past polls. 
• Miles Taylor, former Homeland Security official in the Trump administration and another creator of the Forward party said: 

"The fundamentals have changed. When other third-party movements have emerged in the past it’s largely been inside a system where the American people aren’t asking for an alternative. The difference here is we are seeing an historic number of Americans saying they want one."

What do you think? Do you want a third national political party?

(Photo credit: Flickr.com/garrity_j)