2024
PROSPECTUS
Maryland Forward Party
With another pivotal election year upon us, the opportunity to create
something new and powerful in our politics has never been greater.
And the need to do so has never been more critical.
Nationally, demand for a third major party is at an all-time
high, with a record 63% of Americans saying one is
needed in a 2023 Gallup Poll. Yet on the state and local
level, the need for voter choice is even greater.
Year to year, 70% of elections go uncontested. That lack
of competition means a lack of accountability for
incumbents, and leads to the bloat and corruption of
single-party dominance. The people deserve better.
Political differences in our nation are nothing new, but
the social media age has made it easier than ever for
politicians to rile up the partisan crowds and play them
against each other. Worse yet, our zero-sum political
system makes it all too profitable for parties to do just
that, pushing us into an unending tug-of-war where no
one can really win, and nothing is getting done.
Here in Maryland, over 955 thousand voters, about 23% of
our total, are currently registered to vote either unaffiliated,
or with a minor party. And that‘s in a Closed Primary state!
Across the nation, political independents now outnumber
both Democrats and Republicans, and continue to grow.
Uniting these voices is the key, but it‘s not so simple -
these are the people most tired of rigid, rah-rah ideology,
those sick of being told how to think and what to believe.
It’s Time for Change
2. A Need for Options
1. A Dangerous Division
3. A Growing Independent Energy
What we need now isn’t just a new political party.
It’s a new kind of party altogether.
What makes a Forward Leader?
Most third-party efforts are top-down,
built around a niche philosophy or a
single central candidate. Rather than
think outside the box, they offer a new
box, which rarely makes for more than
a ‘statement’ campaign.
Forward is built bottom-up - we
evaluate endorsees based on values,
and allow our leaders to bring their
unique voices, and those of their
constituents, to the table.
By doing so, we embrace an
independent ethos that can reach a
huge - and growing - voting population.
Dignity - Our candidates approach
discourse with grace and tolerance.
Humility - We understand that problems
are complicated, and that there is always
more to learn.
Transparency - We demand clarity on
how leaders approach the issues and
what they intend to do.
Responsiveness - We believe that
government should serve the people and
make them feel heard.
Focus - We aren’t interested in
performative politics. We want to solve
problems and move forward.
Why Forward?
Who are we? We’re a politically diverse group of
problem solvers working together to fix a broken system
A Different Kind of Party
63% of Americans say a third major party is
needed (Gallup, Oct. ‘23)
40% of U.S. voters identify as independent -
the largest bloc by far (Gallup, Nov. ‘23)
Our Mission is to build a viable, credible, and
durable political alternative in Maryland and
across the country
Our Vision is to foster a politics that welcomes
new ideas, works toward real solutions, and
empowers dynamic leadership at every level
2023 Accomplishments
raised since May
2023. Our Monthly
donor base continues
to grow each month.
This was all thanks to our awesome
volunteers, we would love for YOU to join us!
We established a 527 non profit
organization in March 2023 with a Board of
Directors that were elected by Ranked
Choice Voting. Corporate bylaws were
approved, and Officers were elected. The
Board meets weekly, and once a month
there is a State-wide meeting that is open
to the public to update everyone on our
progress and have an open discussion with
supporters.
$13,500
Signatures collected over 13 events
that were held all over the state,
from Western Maryland to the
Eastern Shore
1,193
MARYLANDFORWARDPARTY.COM
New Website Launched!
Social Media growth with
2000 followers across
platforms.
Merch Line Introduced
James Kole
The First Forwardist was elected to Laurel City Council
Affiliating Candidates with Maryland Forward include:
Ashwani Jain - Andrea Crooms
Fitzgerald Mofor - Wendy Bozel
8%
Our Targets
$120,000
At the federal level, this is how much of
Congress a party like Forward would have to
control, in order to consistently deny either
major party a majority. Reaching this milestone
would be a colossal step towards ending our
current tug-of-war, driving our parties to
actually work together, and fostering a politics
that works for the people. And it‘s not as far
away as it may seem.
That‘s why we‘re looking to collect the 17,500
signatures that will allow us to become a minor
party in Maryland and enable us to run
candidates in local elections all over the state.
In 2023 we collected over 1100 signatures over
31 events located through the state, and we are
looking to hire and fund a signature collection
firm to help us collect the required signatures ,
and allow us to more effectively spread our
message at future events throughout the state
And that‘s what we‘re aiming to build up in
2024. To support and cultivate candidates,
effective messaging, and a chance to change
Maryland politics for the better.
We believe in creating a lean, efficient, and
durable organization. We don‘t need the millions
the major parties spend to repeat their tired
refrains. With a strategic mindset, an exemplary
suite of candidates, and your help, we can
make a difference. We can win.
The change we want to bring our nation
starts here and now. Are you in?
17,500
Leading the Charge
PJ Benenati (Vice Chair): I joined the Maryland Forward Party
because I believe in a more respectful form of political discourse. I
want to see us prioritizing people over party and policies and hope
that we can see progressive positive change in our communities
and across our nation.
Brenna Vega (Secretary): After spending most of my early adult years
avoiding politics like the plague, my dad reminded me that if any of this
was going to change in my lifetime, I needed to stop complaining and
start doing. As an advocate for a universal basic income (UBI) and finding
myself politically homeless due to the seismic shift in the Republican
Party, I signed up the next day for the Forward Party.
Michael O’Loughlin (Fundraising Chair): I do believe that the Forward
Party is different in that they are making the changes at the local level, as
well as building a political home for the people that they find along the
way. I am very focused on making sure the Maryland Forward Party has a
strong foundation to build upon so that it may be able to make the
changes that are so desperately needed.
The Maryland Forward Party is governed by an elected Board of Directors. They bring
varied experience and dynamic perspective to our political work. The entire board of
directors can be found on our website at marylandforwardparty.com/our_team as we
recruit 25 leaders for our party formation committee. Let’s meet a few of them!
Pete Oliver-Krueger (Policy and Priorities Chair): my passion is creating
opportunities for listening to real people and crafting practical political
solutions. I have struggled to fit in with any party. I’m with the Forward
Party because the people here are willing to think different, think
practical, and get real things done.
Shiv Gupta (Treasurer): I rarely feel represented at the ballot box and
believe that electoral reform is badly needed so that voters can elect
representation that better reflects their views. I joined the Maryland
Forward board and am currently the treasurer of the Maryland Forward
Party because I want to leave my children an America that is Forward
thinking, rather than one torn apart by partisan politics.
Matt Beyers(Chair): I am a biologist by education, a program manager
by profession, and a Scouter by avocation. I joined the Maryland
team in September 2022 and quickly helped them get through the
process of establishing a Board structure and a corporate entity. I
strongly believe in servant leadership and feel that Forward’s
principles and methodology will truly change politics for the better.
Take the Next Step
Volunteer
Donate
Run
Contact Us
Our organization is driven by passionate volunteers,
exemplary candidates, and the generous donors who
help make our operation possible. Below, you‘ll find
links on our current volunteer opportunities, the
processes required to become a candidate, and the
portal for interested donors.
We believe in making informed decisions, and the
same applies here. If you have any questions at all,
about getting involved, about our party, or anything
else, we encourage you to contact us and get the
conversation started.
The future is what we make of it.
Let’s make it great.