The 2025 Case P. Professorship of Public Affairs lecture series event with the Forward Party. (Left to right) Director of the Eagleton Institute of Politics Dr. Elizabeth C. Matto, Founding Co-Chair of the Forward Party and 50th New Jersey Governor Christine Todd Whitman, Executive Chair of the Forward Party and 70th Lt. Governor of Massachusetts Dr. Kerry Healey, and Founding Co-Chair of the Forward Party and 2020 Democratic U.S. Presidential Candidate Andrew Yang

The Forward Party Talks Goals for Democracy—Party Affiliations Aside

The Eagleton Institute of Politics hosted the founders of the Forward Party, Dr. Kerry Healey, Governor Christine Todd Whitman, and Andrew Yang, as part of the 2025 Case P. Professorship of Public Affairs lecture series. The day kicked off with an off-the-record morning discussion with a select group of Rutgers-New Brunswick students at the Eagleton Institute. Students had the opportunity to speak with the Forward Party founders about their careers in public service, experiences, and what led them to the Forward Party. A similar student session was held for Rutgers-Newark students on Friday, October 17.

For the evening lecture, Dr. Healey, Governor Whitman, and Mr. Yang spoke in a panel discussion hosted by Eagleton’s Director, Dr. Elizabeth C. Matto. They shared their vision for the Forward Party with an enthusiastic audience, emphasizing their hopes for the movement in the current political landscape. Resonating across the room with nods and applause was the mutually expressed need for working across differences toward a stronger democracy, regardless of party affiliation. Thank you to Lt. Governor Dr. Healey, Governor Whitman, and Mr. Yang for joining us for an engaging evening of civic discussion.