The Forward Party: 3 political groups merge to create new party, chaired by Yang, Whitman

A new political party, named Forward, launched Thursday.

The party, which describes itself as a centrist party, is being co-chaired by former Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang and former Republican New Jersey Gov. Christine Todd Whitman.

It is being established to "reinvigorate a fair, flourishing economy and open society where everyone can live a good life and is safe in the place where we learn, work and live," according to its website.

Reuters first reported on the party's formation.

Yang said in a video post the party is seeking to "solve the problems that are literally driving us crazy."

The Forward Party is being formed by a merger of three political groups that have come out in recent years as a reaction to "America's increasingly polarized and gridlocked political system."

The three parties are the Renew America Movement, which was created in 2021 by former Republican officials, the Forward Party created by Yang, and the Serve America Movement, combined of Democrats, Republicans and independents led by former Republican Rep. David Jolly of Florida.

Yang, Whitman and Jolly said in a Washington Post op-ed on Wednesday that "the United States badly needs a new political party — one that reflects the moderate, common-sense majority."

The party states on its website that its main three priorities are:

• Free people: revitalize "a culture that celebrates difference and individual choice, rejects hate, and removes barriers so that each of us can rise to our full potential."

• Thriving communities:Give new energy to "a fair, flourishing economy and open society where everyone can live a good life and is safe in the places where we learn, work, and live."

• Vibrant democracy: Change "our republic to give Americans more choices in elections, more confidence in a government that works, and more say in our future."

Part of the party's requirement is "diverse thinking.". It will also treat people with "grace and tolerance," its website said.

The new party will hold events in different cities throughout the country in the fall to speak about its agenda and gain support, Reuters reported.

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Yang, who also ran for New York City mayor in 2020, left the Democratic Party in October 2021. He led his presidential campaign on the idea of universal income.

Whitman, served as New Jersey's first female governor from 1994-2001.

This news comes as a recent Suffolk University and USA TODAY poll showed that most Americans prefer a third-party candidate instead of a Democrat or Republican.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Forward Party launches, political merger led by Yang, Whitman