At the Forward Party, we have introduced a novel approach to representation in that we advocate for the best candidate to represent constituencies. The Forward-Aligned Candidate concept developed as an innovative idea given our lack of traditional party representation and the desire to start forming an ideal representative of our brand through the type of candidates we run. Representative Don Davis emerges as the answer.

Davis, a man of the people and for the people, embodies an approach to politics that truly encapsulates the idea of putting people before party. While a registered Democrat, Davis commits himself to his constituents regardless of culture, creed, or political affiliation. What matters most to him are the people of his district—including those who did not vote for him. For instance, he hosted a town hall meeting in Snow Hill, North Carolina, on July 29, 2024, where he invited both supporters and critics to discuss community issues. He works to rally support from across the political spectrum, defying the leading conventional political wisdom of our time that suggests he should double down on his party’s purists.

Davis invites both critics and supporters to collaborate, seeking innovation and inspiration even in these uncertain political times. His support for a bipartisan farm relief bill, despite pressure from party leadership to oppose it for strategic reasons, provides a real-world example of his commitment to problem-solving over political point-scoring.

He supported the House Agriculture Chair G.T. Thompson's $1.5 trillion farm bill, which aimed to enhance farm safety net programs and rural funding. Despite some partisan disagreements, Davis's support highlighted his focus on the needs of his constituents over party lines.

Davis gives us a pictorial representation of a politician striving to demonstrate to his supporters why their confidence in him is well-founded, and why criticism of his pragmatism is misplaced.

Even amid the tension of partisans fighting to impose their own cultural beliefs on the rest of us, Davis—with a stoic disposition—seeks the following alternative: the people. He remains steadfast to the agenda of his constituents, ignoring the partisan loyalists and demagogues who pressure him to acquiesce to ideological agendas. An example of this is when he voted “present” on the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act. Davis was the only member of the U.S. House of Representatives to vote “present” on this bill. His choice reflects a nuanced position: acknowledging certain aspects of the legislation that resonate with his constituents’ values while expressing concern over the bill’s partisan framing and potential implications. By abstaining from a definitive “yes” or “no” vote, Davis signaled his dedication to thoughtful deliberation and his reluctance to support legislation that, in his view, may have been structured in a manner that exacerbates partisan divisions.

As a Forward-Democrat—a Democrat who believes in cross-party collaboration to represent the will of his or her constituents and find common-ground solutions—Davis exemplifies what it means to be a Forwardist even within a two-party dominant system. A system that deprives all of us of real choice and forces the will of partisans onto the will of the people. Davis rejects that notion, firmly believing that people come first.

At the Forward Party, we are proud to engage in cross-party collaboration with Representative Davis, a Forward-Democrat who welcomes even conservative voices into the dialogue. Deeply rooted in the traditions of Eastern North Carolina, he draws upon that foundation—family, faith, and community—to encourage opportunities for prudent transformation.

It is because of these efforts that Davis serves not only as an ideal representative—community-centric, consensus-building, and solution-focused—but also as an ideal individual to model after—stoic, pragmatic, and understanding. These are qualities that are too often lost in today’s world of extreme partisanship and political polarization.

Davis stands as one of those famous lighthouses in Eastern North Carolina. He guides us to shore and provides a welcoming beacon once we get there—a true light of hope in dark times indeed.