The following was originally written as a letter to the editor — my local newspaper didn’t pick it up, so you get it instead. ❤️

Nearly every afternoon, I take an hour-long walk through the streets of Quincy. On the way, I pass many homes with signs and banners advertising their political affiliation — Republican, Democrat, Trump, Biden. 

It would be easy to assume, when walking past all of the reds and blues, that the majority of Quincyans are happy with their political party. But I pass just as many houses, if not more, that do not display signs. I wonder, sometimes, if the people in those homes are equally happy with whichever party they most recently voted for — or if they, like me, wish there was an alternative to our divisive and reductive two-party system.

The Forward Party is working to provide Americans with new options. Recently founded by Andrew Yang — whom I supported in the 2020 presidential primaries — the Forward Party has a singular and unique mission: to create a political system that supports problem-solving over partisanship. Not left, not right, but forward.

Let me share with you the Forward Party’s goals:

"While other political parties look to divide America into different camps, the Forward Party aims to bring them together. We welcome both conservatives and liberals, independents and libertarians — anyone who is interested in solving the problems that are currently plaguing our country and is willing to debate ideas in good faith.

"We will support candidates for office who align with our core principles so that we can reform the system and make it more responsive to the American people. This means that we will support Republicans, Democrats, and Independents — as well as candidates identifying themselves as Forward Party members.

"We will also work with organizations that are promoting democracy reform in order to promote policies such as Ranked-Choice Voting, Open Primaries, and easier ballot access for third parties."

I’ve had the privilege of meeting Andrew Yang, and I trust that he and the Forward Party team have what it takes to present a solution to our current divisiveness. The next time you see me walking through Quincy, feel free to stop me and ask any questions you might have about ranked choice voting, the advantages of shifting away from a bipartisan system. and the process of creating an effective and modern government.

That way, we can take a few steps forward together.