Pictured (L-R): Wayne Jones—Constitution Party of North Carolina; Brad Hessel—Wake County Libertarian Party; Sarah Johnson—Better Ballot NC; Patrick Newton—North Carolina Forward Party; James Bledsoe—Veterans Party of North Carolina.
RALEIGH, NC — The North Carolina Forward Party took center stage on Friday, May 30, at North Carolina State University, participating in Rise of the Third Parties, a dynamic and engaging panel discussion among leaders from several local and state-wide political and non-profit organizations.
Approximately 40 to 50 attendees—including university students and staff, community leaders, party members, and press—gathered in Room 4101 at Talley Student Union in West Raleigh for a conversation on how we can create a more inclusive and representative political landscape in the state. The discussion explored the expanding role of third parties in shaping the future of American democracy, tackling key topics such as electoral reform, including ranked-choice voting, instant runoffs, ending gerrymandering, the challenges of grassroots organizing, and the growing public appetite for alternatives to the traditional two-party system.
The event’s panel included Patrick Newton, North Carolina Forward Party Chair, as well as representatives from the Wake County Libertarian Party, the Veterans Party of North Carolina, the Constitution Party of North Carolina, and Better Ballot NC, a nonprofit organization promoting ranked-choice voting across the state. The discussion was moderated by Matthew Williams, a community thought leader on public issues and founder of Lecture Lounge, a University-based initiative that hosts community lectures with a special focus on supporting underrecognized academic voices.
“It is possible to have sensible conversations across ideological aisles about reality and what we believe simply isn’t working in our politics,” Williams said. “I think regardless of one’s feelings on third parties, we did that Friday night.”
Mr. Williams also thanked the Forward Party specifically for its participation in Friday’s event, stating, “Their presence was a huge help in talking about how change can occur in immediate, practical, and tangible ways.”
The Forward Party’s collaboration with Lecture Lounge exemplifies its commitment to building partnerships that bring civic engagement and political reform into the public square. As grassroots support for the Forward movement continues to grow, events like Rise of the Third Parties provide a forum for like-minded individuals to come out and pledge their support for moving toward a more functional, fair, and forward-thinking political system—demonstrated by the more than 30 individuals who signed the Forward Party’s petition to secure ballot access and add “More Choice, and More Voice” in North Carolina.
“This event was a clear sign that North Carolinians are ready to embrace political innovation and expand the choices available to voters,” said Patrick Newton. “People are tired of being forced to pick the lesser of two evils. The energy in that room showed a real hunger for something new.”
Be sure to check out the recording HERE.
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