More Than a Party. A Movement.

Forward CT Is Building a Statewide Coalition to Amplify Local Voices, and Connecticut’s Unaffiliated Majority Is Leading the Way

PHOTO: Mike Urgo, MaryAnne Butler, Chase Trahan, Danielle Chesebrough, David Rosenwaks, Maryfrances Metrick, Laura Del Savio, Tenaya Taylor, and Gayle Weinstein.

May 6, 2026 HARTFORD, CT — As the Connecticut General Assembly concludes its 2026 legislative session, a growing coalition of local leaders and civic-minded residents gathered at the Legislative Office Building to send a message: the problems facing Connecticut can be solved, but not by the same system, operating the same way, rewarding the same behaviors.

Forward CT is not another political party. It is a movement built on a simple belief: that progress happens when people work across differences, focus on long-term solutions, and put communities ahead of parties. With more than 40% of Connecticut’s registered voters unaffiliated with either major party, Forward CT is building a home for the residents who are done accepting election-year, temporary fixes, and ready to push for the structural, root-level changes Connecticut actually needs.

The message shared by various speakers was directed to residents of CT who feel their State Government can do better. They invited residents to join and help amplify the voice of the unaffiliated majority of registered voters in Connecticut. You can watch the video here.

The group also announced two initiatives underway.

Legislative Scorecard

A public accountability tool that will score elected officials based on bipartisanship, support for electoral reforms and their level of engagement with local stakeholders. It will also include governance reforms recommended by Councils of Government across Connecticut, the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities (CCM), and the Council of Small Towns (COST), reflecting priorities already identified by the communities legislators are meant to serve. Commitments tracked will include reducing unfunded mandates, understanding the true fiscal cost of legislation before voting bills out of committee, and supporting democratic reforms including Ranked Choice Voting and Open Primaries.

Concord Vote Pilot Launch

Forward CT is announcing the pilot launch of Concord Vote (concordvote.com), a digital platform under design to give Connecticut residents a direct, ongoing voice in public policy. Forward CT is inviting residents to use the platform and provide feedback, and calling on elected officials to listen to what their constituents are saying through it.  

They also called on the Connecticut legislature to commit to listening and acting upon the outcomes of an upcoming Connecticut Citizens Assembly on property tax reform , which would be the first statewide citizens assembly in the country. The Assembly would give everyday residents a direct role in shaping solutions to one of Connecticut’s most pressing and persistent challenges.

The session has ended. The work is just beginning.

Learn more and join Forward CT at www.ctforwardparty.com.

Voices from Today’s Event

“The session ends tomorrow. Our work does not. Connecticut’s cities and towns are being asked to deliver more every year with less flexibility and less support. The people closest to the problems — local officials, educators, law enforcement, nonprofit leaders — are left with fewer tools to solve them. Forward CT exists because we believe there is a better way: not replacing one party with another, but building something genuinely different — a movement that asks elected officials to put communities ahead of parties.”

— Danielle Chesebrough, Former First Selectman, Stonington 

“The foundation of democracy is choice in elections. Forward CT is building in Connecticut in order to make sure that elections offer real choice to voters. Without choice, the power to hold legislators accountable through elections is diminished. Protecting the value of voting has to be as important as protecting access to voting.”

— Laura Del Savio, Connecticut Resident and Retired Teacher

“Many Connecticut residents want a government that brings as many voices as possible into the decisions that affect our lives. We want a system that holds elected officials accountable. Forward CT is comprised of an inspiring group of people committed to giving voters a real voice in how we govern."

— David Rosenwaks, Independent Candidate for First Selectman, Westport

“It’s time for citizens to have a voice in their government beyond the current polarized party agendas.”

— MaryAnne Butler, Former Superintendent, Stonington Public Schools

“I spent years working within the Democratic Party because I believe in public service and solving problems for my community. What I've learned is that party priorities too often get in the way of both. Forward CT is about getting back to what actually matters, results for the people we serve.”

— Gayle Weinstein, Former First Selectman, Weston

“People want to be engaged, but our system does not always make it easy,” said Mike Urgo, former North Stonington First Selectman and founder of People for Planet and Democracy. “Events like this Forward Party press conference reflect a growing recognition that our democratic processes should be more inclusive, accessible, and responsive to the people they serve. When more people are meaningfully included, participation grows and the outcomes are stronger for our communities.”

— Mike Urgo, Former First Selectman, North Stonington

“Events like this help to amplify voices in communities who continue to face social and environmental justice barriers due to gaps in a system that has never worked for us. We need real change in leadership that prioritize accountability and action and equitably addresses our needs” 

— Tenaya Taylor, Executive Director, Nonprofit Accountability Group

Join the Movement

Forward CT is a statewide, volunteer-driven movement working to reduce political polarization and advance practical, long-term solutions to the systemic challenges facing Connecticut residents. Forward CT believes that progress happens when people work across differences, focus on root causes rather than quick fixes, and put communities ahead of parties. All Connecticut residents, regardless of party, background, or prior political involvement, are welcome.

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Media Contact:

Danielle Chesebrough

Forward CT

860-912-0380

ctforwardparty.com