RALEIGH, NC — The North Carolina Forward Party (NCFP) today proudly announced its alignment with two dynamic candidates—one Democrat, one Republican—who represent the next generation of local leadership in our state: incumbent Wake Forest Town Commissioner Nick Sliwinski, and Concord City Council candidate Alvarys Santana.

With their decision to join the Forward movement, Sliwinski and Santana underscore the party’s commitment to aligning with leaders from across the political spectrum who put people over partisan agendas and prioritize consensus-building and data-driven solutions for their communities.

“From the beginning, our promise has been to build a political movement that transcends party lines and uplifts leaders who embody Forward values,” said North Carolina Forward Party Chair Patrick Newton. “Nick and Alvarys are exactly the kind of servant leaders North Carolina needs—focused on collaboration, committed to community, and willing to listen to their constituents above all else.”

Commissioner Nick Sliwinski (Wake Forest, NC/Wake County)

Elected to the Wake Forest Board of Commissioners in 2021 with nearly 25% of the total vote, Nick Sliwinski (R) has served with distinction during his first term. Sliwinski, who originally hails from Western Pennsylvania before moving to Wake Forest in 2014, has raised his family in the community and been an integral member of it—helping to found a new church and becoming active civically through volunteer work and various community engagement efforts.

For the last four years, Sliwinski has brought passion, commitment, and integrity to the Board. During his tenure, he has supported local businesses through active involvement with the Chamber of Commerce, working with the Northeast Community Coalition and spearheading the creation of the town’s annual Mental Wellness Fair. In seeking reelection to fill one of two open seats on the Board of Commissioners (BOC), Sliwinski has elected to run without formal party endorsement this cycle, choosing to put the people of Wake Forest ahead of partisan politics and party approval. By signing the NCFP Candidate Pledge—which is publically accessible on our website—Sliwinski becomes Wake County’s first Forward-aligned Republican candidate and elected official.

“My commitment from day one has been to the people of Wake Forest,” Sliwinski said. “I’ve spent nearly four years listening, learning, and putting our town first—and I intend to continue doing exactly that. Wake Forest deserves leaders who answer to the people, not the parties.”

Election Day in Wake Forest is Tuesday, November 4, 2025. Residents of Wake Forest and citizens from across the state of North Carolina can get to know Commissioner Sliwinski by visiting his website or attending this week’s BOC Candidates Forum on Wednesday, September 10, from 6-8:30 p.m. at the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre at 405 S. Brooks St. in downtown Wake Forest. Subscribers to Spectrum’s Cable TV service will also be able to watch the event on Wake Forest TV 10 (WFTV 10) daily at noon and 6 p.m. through Election Day (Tuesday, Nov. 4).

From L-R: NCFP State Chair Patrick Newton shakes hands with Commissioner Sliwinski as he presents his signed candidate pledge.

Alvarys Santana (Concord, NC/Cabarrus County)

The other recent addition to the Forward family, Alvarys Santana (D), hails from the other side of the aisle from Commissioner Sliwinski, yet embraces the same vision and values embodied by the Forward Party, including her citizens-first approach to the City of Concord.

Santana enters the race for Concord City Council as a first-time candidate pursuing one of its seven seats for a four-year term. She brings a deep expertise in public policy, business, and the law, with a B.A. in Political Science and Government from Hunter College, an M.B.A. from Fayetteville State University, and a Juris Doctor (J.D.) from the Charlotte School of Law. As the President and Principal Consultant of AS Strategy LLC, Santana offers the citizens of Concord extensive professional experience in government and organizational advisory services, including a proven track record of community advocacy as an author, public speaker, and coalition builder.

Running as a Forward-aligned Democrat, Santana seeks to focus her campaign on creating affordable housing, economic mobility, youth development, and intentional growth planning to ensure Concord remains one of North Carolina’s safest and most livable cities—an issue also at the foundation of Commissioner Sliwinski’s campaign for Wake Forest.

“Concord is one of the fastest-growing cities in North Carolina. But with that growth comes a responsibility: to make sure we’re building a city that works for everyone,” Santana said. “Growth should feel like opportunity, not pressure—and that starts with intentional, people-centered planning.”

Early voting for the Concord, NC City Council election begins on October 16, 2025, with the general election scheduled for November 4. Citizens of Concord can get to know Alvarys Santana by visiting www.vote-alvarys.org or attending any one of her upcoming community events, including a special Meet the Candidate event scheduled for 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, at Total Wine & More at the Pavilion at King’s Grant in Concord, NC.

From L-R: Illinois Governor JB Pritzker poses with Alvarys Santana during an event earlier this year.

A Movement Gaining Momentum

The NCFP continues to grow by working with leaders who reflect the diversity of our state and are united by a shared mission: doing what’s best for their communities, not what’s dictated by partisan politics. As we strive to put candidates from the Forward Party on the ballot in 2026, we are meanwhile making every effort to support, promote, and elect both Forward-aligned Democrats and Republicans who fit this mold.

“With Nick and Alvarys joining our ranks, Forward is beginning to deliver on our promise to North Carolina voters,” added Patrick Newton. “Together, we’re proving that better leadership is possible—leadership that listens, collaborates, and puts people first.”