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Brian Mcmurray published Voting isn't the only thing we can do! in Recent Updates 2026-04-10 18:41:28 -0400
Voting isn't the only thing we can do!
Forward Blog: The Accidental Forwardist Judge of Elections
By Jessica Gullickson
Last fall, I decided to sign up to become a Poll Worker here in my Beaver County precinct. There are a handful of precincts here in Beaver that really struggle to find enough poll workers for primaries and elections each year. This was a surprise to me. Did you know that? As such, I was asked to serve in an adjacent precinct to where I live; an acceptable practice here in Pennsylvania when workers are in short supply.
Fast forward to the upcoming 2026 Primaries. Again, a shortage of Poll Workers. This time I’ve been appointed to serve as Judge of Elections for Harmony Township (in the Ambridge area).
I didn’t step into this because I had extra time, I stepped in because there was a gap, and it needed to be filled. I think that’s the part of civic participation we don’t talk about enough. Voting gets the spotlight, but there’s a whole layer of work underneath it that only functions if people show up.
As a Forwardist, it’s a bit of an interesting seat to hold; helping with a primary election that’s still structured largely around a two-party system. But, if anything, it reinforces why showing up matters. I can’t hope to change a system by standing outside of it.
What struck me most is how much of this process depends on ordinary people who decide to take on the responsibility. Being honest, showing up can be tough. Pennsylvania’s elections happen on a Tuesday. One day, during the business week. It can be tough for people to take time to vote, let alone commit to a full day away from work to help run the election. And it’s a long day, 6am to 9pm for some teams. No fanfare, no big recognition. Just people making sure things run fairly and smoothly for everyone else.
If you’re aligned with Forward values, there’s a real opportunity here. Not just to vote, but to participate in the mechanics of how our elections actually work; understand it from the inside. Poll workers are needed, but if being a poll worker is out of reach, find other ways to get involved. There are tons of ways; engage with local advocacy groups, political organizations, and nonprofits doing the day-to-day work of strengthening communities.
It’s easy to assume someone else will step up. But in a lot of these cases, there isn’t someone else waiting in the wings.
If you are looking for a way to serve your community, please consider being a poll worker. It's a great way to strengthen our democracy and gain experience at the same time. The position of judge of elections may even be vacant in your area. You can be appointed to this role like I was, or run for the office when the term is complete like several other Forwardists did in 2025.There are still opportunities to get involved this year, visit vote.pa.gov/GetInvolved for more information.Read more
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2026 Uncontested Districts
An important deadline just passed for the PA State Assembly major party candidates. We now know who will be on (or not on) the primary ballots. If one major party or the other has no candidates, it is very likely that the other party will go uncontested and voters in that district will have no choice on election day. We think this is terrible for any voter and a sign that our election system needs to be reformed. Until we can make that happen, it's an opportunity for us.
At this time, there are 81 districts that are on track to be uncontested.
Read moreCurrent Breakdown:
23 uncontested Republican districts
48 uncontested Democratic districts
This adds up to 40% of the districts.
More information:
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2026 Candidate Recruitment!
We're seeking 2026 candidates for the PA State House! Run for office with us.
How We Win in 2026
We've been building a foundation for 4 years. Now 2026 is our time to seize the moment... and the road to change is through the PA State House. There are 203 State House seats, with a margin of only ONE seat between Republicans and Democrats!
State House seats are often filled by party loyalists with no connection to their constituents. We can change that! All across the state, there are potential leaders who could run for these offices and win. The system is built to keep them out, but the Forward Party is built to let them in. Help us help them. Together, we can move Harrisburg Forward.
What makes a great candidate?
- Connection to their community
- Clear communication of their ideas
- A collaborative, solution-oriented mindset
- Addressing local issues (state and community)
Where can Forwardists win?
- Uncontested races (nearly 50% in PA)
where no one is running against the incumbent - Districts that aren't competitive (nearly 75% in PA)
because the same party always wins - Anywhere that local issues aren't being addressed by the people in charge
Where to find information for your district?
- Use the PA site Find My Legislator to look up your house district
- Use Ballotpedia to find your representative and the results of past elections
- Email [email protected] to discuss running in your district (or recommend someone who can)
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2025
2025 Candidates
Christian Fyke- New Kensington Treasurer (Write In)
Tommy Feldman- Delaware County Controller
Matthew Guglielmello- Lower Macungie Township Commissioner
Lesa Brackbill- Derry Township School Board Director
Danny Ceisler- Bucks County Sheriff
Eric Taylor- Berks County Court of Common Pleas
Paul Royer- Adams County Court of Common Pleas
Pat Dugan- Philadelphia District Attorney
Forward on the Ballot
Zachary Thompson- Judge of Election Allegheny County
Jessica Forsell- Inspector of Election Bucks County
Steven Goodsell- Judge of Election Delaware County
Eva McGowan- Judge of Election Philadelphia County
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County Leads
Help Lead the Forward Movement in Your County!
We’re looking for County Leads in each of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties — people like you who believe in practical problem-solving, community engagement, and putting people over partisanship. As a County Lead, you’ll serve as the point of contact for Forward Party activities in your county, helping connect new supporters, build local partnerships, and grow our presence where it matters most: in our towns, boroughs, and neighborhoods. You don’t need political experience to get started — just a willingness to listen, organize, and inspire.
Read this if you're interested in becoming a County Lead:
Pennsylvania is ready for something new — something Forward. Across the Commonwealth, neighbors are standing up to say they’ve had enough of division, gridlock, and politics-as-usual. The Forward Party of Pennsylvania is growing rapidly, and we’re building a statewide network of local leaders to bring this movement to life in every community. That’s where you come in.
Your role will include reaching out to new Forward Party sign-ups in your county, organizing and hosting local meetups or community events (with help from state leadership), and supporting Forward-endorsed candidates in local elections. County Leads also participate as nonvoting members on State Committee calls, ensuring that every region’s voice is heard as we shape the future of the movement together.
Whether you’re a lifelong community advocate or simply someone who’s ready to see a better kind of politics take root in your area, this is your opportunity to lead change close to home while being part of a statewide team that’s redefining what political engagement looks like in Pennsylvania. If you’re ready to help move Pennsylvania Forward, we’d love to hear from you.
Click below or reach out to our state team to learn how to become a County Lead and help build a movement that’s inclusive, local, and truly representative of the people it serves.
OR Email us at [email protected]
Join the Movement. Lead Forward in Your County.
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Candidates and Elected Officials
Forward Elected Officials in Pennsylvania
Anthony Williams- Forward Democrat in PA Senate District 3
Lisa Boscola- Forward Democrat in PA Senate District 18
Valerie Gaydos- Forward Republican in PA House District 44
Seth Bluestein- Forward Republican member of the Philadelphia City Commission
Stephen Zappala- Forward Democrat (elected as a Republican) Allegheny County District Attorney
Chris Woodward- Forwardist Lower Heidelberg Township Auditor
Danny Ceisler- Forward Democrat Bucks County Sheriff
Lesa Brackbill- Forward Independent Derry Township School Board Director
Eric Taylor- Forward Democrat Berks County Magisterial Judge
Zachary Thompson- Forwardist Judge of Election in Allegheny County
Jessica Forsell- Forwardist Minority Inspector of Election in Bucks County
Eva McGowan- Forwardist Judge of Election in Philadelphia County
Ron Ruman- Forward Democrat West Manchester Township Supervisor
Kristine Cousler Womack- Forward Independent Mayor Dallastown Borough
Jessica Gullickson- Forwardist Judge of Election in Beaver County
Past Endorsements
If you are interested in running for office, seeking our endorsement, or
affiliating with us while in office please click the link below and fill out
the Forward Party's Intake form:
https://airtable.com/app7TWyYHxyS1tmx1/pagKafXfx6QIIQBel/form
Learn more here:
https://www.forwardparty.com/runforoffice/
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Run for Office
Election Season is in full swing at the PA Forward Party. We currently are working with Forward and independent candidates as well as candidates from other parties who would like to align with us over our common values. We'll be rolling out these candidates over time and we'd love to add your name to our growing list.
To begin the process for an endorsement you will need to fill out the intake form from the national party as well as complete our Pennsylvania questionnaire.
Intake Form: https://airtable.com/app7TWyYHxyS1tmx1/pagKafXfx6QIIQBel/form
Please reach out to [email protected] with questions.
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Brian Mcmurray published Fair District PA Addresses our meet in Recent Updates 2025-03-31 01:55:37 -0400
Fair District PA Addresses our meet up in Doylestown
Carol Kuniholm, Chair of Fair Districts PA (https://fairdistrictspa.com/), made a great presentation at our March 27 Station Tap House gathering in Doylestown. Present were some 20 persons between FWD and FD participants. We urge you to visit the FairdistrictsPA website to learn more about this organization that is dedicated to one of FWD's top priorities, establishing independent redistricting commissions to end gerrymandering. FairdistrictsPA supports House Bill 31 and Senate Bill 131 that amend the PA Constitution by replacing the Legislative Reapportionment Commission with an independent citizens redistricting commission to draw both congressional and state legislative districts with defined transparency and public input and clear, prioritized mapping standards. Click below to see a PDF summarizing the content of these bills. A second file provides a map of the current PA House districts and a list of Legislators who have and have not Co-Sponsored HB 131. Please consider calling and/or writing your State representative to indicate your support for this important legislation.
Read more
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Forwardists make the Ballot!
Pennsylvania Forward Party Candidates Make the Ballot
This year, every Pennsylvania voter will see two candidates on their ballot from the PA Forward Party and we could not be more excited for those candidates to be Eric Settle and Chris Foster. Please read their statements about what being on the ballot means to them!
Eric Settle for Attorney General
Chris Foster for Treasurer
Last December when I was asked to run for Attorney General by the Forward Party, I could not have imagined how much fun and interesting the next 8 months would be. It has been great to meet so many of you who started and supported this party to try to find a way to create a new political movement that looks at both major parties and says: There has to be a better way to solve our problems. I've also been amazed to meet registered voters (over 4,000 of them) who wanted to support our effort to get Chris Foster and I on the ballot in November by signing our nomination petitions. And I'm excited to say, that effort was a success! Thanks to everyone who helped us get there. Especially the crew from Rittenhouse Square led by Nancy Hanks, our Forward Northeast Chair Jeff Grisewood and Party Secretary and Petition Czar Ben Valimont for organizing all of us.But this was just the first step and I'm hoping that Chris and I can count on all of you as we move towards November to achieve our next goal--2% of the vote and minor party recognition. So, what's next: We need to meet more voters to tell them about the Forward Party and its candidates-if you are willing to host an event where your friends and neighbors can meet us, let us know and we will try to get there. Also watch your social media for Forward party canvassing opportunities to meet more voters in your neighborhood and to encourage voting by mail. Finally, we will need as many volunteers as possible on Election Day to go to their polling place to remind you neighbors to support us. Election Day 2024 is going to be exciting, and all of us can play an important role that day. Even if you can only work for a few hours that day, it matters. Remember when your goal is 2%, every vote counts and unlike the Presidential race, most voters will not have made up their mind about who they are voting for AG or Treasurer when they reach the polling place.Thanks again for helping Pennsylvania move Forward!As we reflect on the incredible journey PA Forward has embarked upon since March, we are filled with immense gratitude for each and every one of you who helped us launch our first statewide candidates and secure our place on the ballot. Eric Settle, who is running for Attorney General, and I, Chris Foster, your candidate for State Treasurer, could not have come this far without your unwavering support and dedication.The process of collecting over 4,000 signatures was no small feat. It was a challenging and, at times, stressful task. Walking door to door, standing outside local businesses, and engaging with the public—asking them to sign in support of our campaign—required a great deal of perseverance. There were moments when the weight of the responsibility felt heavy, but it was in those moments that we were reminded of why we do this work.
Every time someone took the pen and added their name to our petition, we saw a glimpse of the power of democracy in action. It was incredibly rewarding to witness how our message resonated with so many across Pennsylvania. Despite the frustration many feel with the current political landscape, our commitment to civility in political discourse and our avoidance of entrenched partisan ideas have been a breath of fresh air for the public. People were inspired not just by our words but by the vision of a better future that PA Forward represents. Your belief in us and the cause we champion is what fueled our determination to keep pushing forward.
But our work doesn’t stop here. The signatures we gathered are just the beginning. Now, more than ever, we need to amplify our message and reach even more Pennsylvanians. We urge you to continue spreading the word about our campaign, sharing our vision with your friends, family, and community. Together, we can ensure that our voices are heard and that PA Forward continues to be a force for positive change.
Thank you for your unwavering support. Let’s keep moving forward—together.
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Become a volunteer
Join the team to help save democracy and fix our broken government.
The work of building a new State political party from is no easy task, but we're blessed with a community of talented, thoughtful, intelligent and humble activists, organizers and leaders. If you'd like to help grow this movement and build a thriving, community-driven coalition in Pennsylvania, we'd love to have you. Join the Forward Party to fix our broken democracy and build a better future. Join the team below and you'll receive more information on how to get involved.
Help get Forward Candidates on the ballot!
To be recognized as a State Party in Pennsylvania the law requires us to run a Statewide Candidate every other year. Win or lose these candidates must receive a minimum number of votes for us to earn recognition. The first step is getting on the ballot and we need your help to get there! Our goal is 5000. Collections are between Primary Day and July 31. There are three things you can do today to join the effort: Organize Volunteers, Collect Signatures and Host events
Become a volunteer
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