How the NC Forward Party is trying to change political narratives, conversations and landscapes
March 25, 2025, Sampson Independent
Josh Peters is a member of the North Carolina Forward Party — a new, grassroots third-party option looking to make an impact on rural communities across the country. “The Forward Party is an amalgamation of Andrew Yang’s kind of Democratic Party experience and Christine Todd Whitman’s Republican Party experience coming together to create a centrist perspective on the political discourse,” Peters said in an interview. "[W]e need to change the conversation to get back to solutions rather than the kind of bickering and division that we see in politics today,” Peters continued. “So I just came down here to support that initiative and see where we can collaborate and have some cross-party opportunities to work together.”
Forward Party looks to offer alternative to current political binary
March 19, 2025, Davidsonian
FWD’s goals are straightforward: reduce polarization and restore the reigns of democracy to the people. To proponents of FWD, this means that policy and law should reflect the will of the people. “The Forward Party’s approach to politics is rooted in the ‘Forward Formula,’” North Carolina Forward Party Chair Patrick Newton explained.
“[Democrats] are now clearly identified as ideologically ‘liberal’ and the Republicans as ideologically ‘conservative.’ The Forward Party rejects these labels and embraces broad-based values such as ethical leadership, personal responsibility and the rule of law that are not associated with only the left or the right,” Associate Professor of Political Science Dr. Graham Bullock, who previously served as Chief Advisor of the FWD Policy Committee, said.
In a roundtable discussion, NC Forward Party Chair, Patrick Newton, talks about recent NC Senate and House bills
March 7, 2025, PBS NC, State Lines
On DEI and Political Division: "It’s really about the language and what it represents."
On Local Sheriffs and Immigration Policy: "It’s important to think about discretion in law enforcement... I mean, the General Assembly’s been very clear. And with our sheriffs being elected officials... they can make it clear what their policy recommendations are."
On Cryptocurrency Investment by the State: "Crypto seems to be here to stay and if we’re gonna put our toe in the water and see where it takes us as a state, I think most people are supportive of that."
On the State Health Plan Deficit: "Maybe we come up with a creative solution where we can stagger [premium increases] over a period of time so people can adjust and the state can help subsidize that, at least to get us where we need to be."
The North Carolina Forward Party's state chair Patrick Newton stops by to discuss ideas on how to improve primaries in our state
May 2, 2024, Spectrum News 1, Capital Tonight
"A lot of the people we speak to feel like they're not being represented by either of the two major parties...We're trying to help build a way for them to get that [representation]—some common-sense, common-ground solutions," said Newton. "Ranked choice voting would allow you to vote for who you think...is best...and then, if they don’t win, here’s who I’d rather see...It’s more choice, more voice for the voters—that’s certainly our primary motivation," he continued.
NC Forward seeks party approval, stays local
March 19, 2024, CBS 17
NC Forward chairman Pat Newton agrees with the majority of the country who, when polled, aren’t happy with the current options. "Things like character are really are important. Certainly, policy positions are what impact the voters’ opinions. But we’re finding more and more people are really just disappointed in the way our elected officials are conducting themselves and frankly that we deserve better."
Forward Party played active role in high profile Democrat primary
March 12, 2024, Carolina Journal
“Representative Brockman has a demonstrated history of compromising in a partisan NC assembly,” Evan Hess, NCFP Executive Committee Member, told the Carolina Journal in an email. “We support any representative, including Brockman, who chooses to put a majority of his constituents over the loudest voices in the room. The people of North Carolina expect their elected representatives to vote in accordance with their wishes. Brockman’s primary win reflects two realities: his willingness to compromise with the opposition for his constituents and his continued reelection by a majority of voters in Guilford County. The North Carolina Forward Party will support any candidate, Democrat or Republican, who demonstrates a willingness to work with the other side.”
“We view it as coming to bat for the moderate-middle voters of North Carolina,” said NCFP Chair Pat Newton. “The reaction of the Democratic Party to Representative Brockman’s willingness to work with members of all parties to find solutions for our citizens should be applauded, not criticized. The ultimate solution will emerge when we end gerrymandering, implement Instant Runoff Elections, institute term limits, and create a system where voters are heard, and decisions are not dictated by a two-party duopoly. In the meantime, we will continue to support elected officials like Representative Brockman, who are willing to collaborate with others and strive to highlight instances where individuals from different parties put aside their differences and do what is best for our state.”