The Forward Party Podcast EP21 - Bob Smith and Brian Bengs on Breaking Free From Two-Party Politics

In this episode of The Forward Party Podcast, the conversation turns to Iowa politics, political reform, independent voters, and the long game of changing American politics. The episode features congressional candidate Michael Bridgford and longtime Iowa political voice Ed Fallon, offering two perspectives on what is happening in Iowa and why the state is important to watch for independent and third-party politics. The episode begins with Michael Bridgford, who is running for Congress in Iowa’s 1st Congressional District. With roughly a third of registered voters unaffiliated, the conversation explores what those voters are saying and what traditional party candidates may be missing. Michael discusses listening directly to voters, the Iowa State Fair soapbox tradition, and why he chose to run. A central theme of Michael’s campaign is the question of why. He explains why meaningful change requires looking beyond individual policy debates toward the systems and incentives that shape government. The conversation also examines the Forward Party’s strategy for creating political change, including opportunities in closely divided legislative bodies and candidates committed to pragmatic, representative government. The episode then shifts to Ed Fallon, who brings decades of experience in Iowa politics. Fallon served for 14 years in the Iowa House and has continued following politics through his work as a commentator and radio host. His perspective provides context for Iowa’s political structure and the changes he has witnessed since his time in office. One of the key topics is Iowa’s approach to redistricting. Fallon explains why Iowa has avoided some partisan redistricting dynamics seen elsewhere and discusses the role of the state’s process in producing more competitive elections. The conversation also looks at nonpartisan local government and third-party candidates, including opportunities for candidates outside the traditional Democratic and Republican structure to compete where one party has effectively ceded control. Key themes from the episode include: Iowa politics and the 2026 election cycle, including the importance of unaffiliated voters.

The Forward Party Podcast EP19 brings together Elizabeth Dionne and Utah State Senator Emily Buss to explore what independent-minded leadership looks like when the goal is to govern, solve problems, and work across party lines. Both describe an approach centered on listening, practical results, and good governance. Elizabeth Dionne joins the conversation while running for Massachusetts state treasurer on the Republican ballot line. Drawing on local government experience in Belmont, she explains why she entered statewide politics, ballot access, and what she hears from voters. She discusses transparency, accountability, public records, external audits, affordability, taxes, local aid, and the fiscal pressures facing cities and towns. Elizabeth’s experience shows how local government can create space for people with different political views to work toward shared outcomes. She describes reforms involving budgeting, pension investments, zoning, commercial development, and business access. Her approach is grounded in the idea that communities can make progress when leaders work from shared facts rather than partisan assumptions. Elizabeth also talks about the difficulty of building trust with voters who have become skeptical of political promises. She explains why her record in local government matters to her campaign and why she believes transparency and accountability should be central responsibilities for elected officials. The episode also examines proposals for voter choice. The second half features Emily Buss, a Utah State Senator who ran on the Forward Party ballot line and became the only Forward member serving in the Utah State Senate. Emily describes entering public office with no prior political experience and learning to navigate a partisan institution through listening. Emily talks with constituents, subject matter experts, stakeholders, teachers, workers, and community members before making decisions. She emphasizes hearing directly from people affected by legislation and understanding unintended consequences. Emily also discusses working with Republicans and Democrats in the Utah Capitol. She describes building relationships through everyday interactions and focusing on getting the work done. The conversation explores collegiality, bridge building, and serving effectively without treating every issue as a partisan contest. Topics covered in this episode include: Independent leadership and governing across party lines

What happens when an elected official decides that serving the public matters more than following the party line? On this episode of The Forward Party Podcast, hosts Lindsey Drath and Ben Carter sit down with Diana DiZoglio, Massachusetts State Auditor, for a candid conversation about government accountability, political independence, transparency, and what it takes to challenge your own party when you believe the public interest comes first. As Massachusetts State Auditor, DiZoglio’s job is to examine state government on behalf of taxpayers, looking at how public programs operate and whether government resources are being used responsibly. She explains what a state auditor actually does, why independent oversight matters, and why transparency is essential when elected officials are entrusted with public money and public power. A major focus of the conversation is the tension between party loyalty and public responsibility. DiZoglio ran for office as a Democrat, but she makes clear that her role as auditor requires her to examine government without giving special treatment to people simply because they share her political affiliation. That approach has put her at odds with Democratic leaders in Massachusetts, including the state legislature. The conversation turns to a Massachusetts ballot measure requiring the legislature to participate in an audit by the State Auditor’s Office. DiZoglio discusses the significance of voters supporting greater oversight and her frustration with legislative resistance to the audit. For her, the issue goes beyond Democrats or Republicans. It is about whether elected institutions should be subject to the same standards of accountability expected from everyone else. DiZoglio shares her experience working with people across the political spectrum, including Republican groups and voters who may not agree with her on every issue. She argues that leaders should actively search for areas where people can work together rather than allowing political differences to prevent progress on issues where common ground exists. The discussion also examines how political parties can respond when one of their own elected officials refuses to follow the expected party line. DiZoglio speaks openly about feeling pressure from the Democratic political establishment and why she believes voters should look beyond party labels when deciding who deserves their support. Throughout the episode, the conversation returns to a central question: Who does an elected official actually work for?For DiZoglio, the answer is the people. Her approach reflects a larger idea at the heart of the Forward Party: elected leaders should be accountable to their constituents rather than political organizations. Topics covered in this episode include: Diana DiZoglio’s role as Massachusetts State Auditor and what her office does for taxpayers

What happens when a sitting member of Congress decides that answering to his constituents matters more than answering to a political party? On this episode of The Forward Party Podcast, hosts Lindsey Drath, Gov. Christine Todd Whitman, and Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey sit down with Congressman Kevin Kiley, who made the unusual decision to leave the Republican Party and run for Congress as an independent. Kiley’s decision was driven by his experience with partisan gridlock and gerrymandering. When California’s redistricting process split his former congressional district into six different pieces, he faced a choice: pursue a newly created safe Republican district or run in a bluer district as an independent. He chose the harder path, arguing that taking advantage of the gerrymander would only contribute to the problem. That decision has already produced a historic result. Kiley finished first in California’s top-two primary, becoming the first independent candidate to reach the top two since the system began in 2012. Now he is campaigning for the general election and trying to demonstrate that an independent member of Congress can win, govern, and represent constituents without being controlled by either major party. During the conversation, Kevin Kiley explains what led him away from the Republican Party, what it feels like to operate in Washington without the protection of a party structure, and why he believes the current rules of the House make it unnecessarily difficult for independent members to serve effectively. Why Kiley believes partisanship has become embedded in Congress

What does it take to govern effectively when you leave the traditional party system behind? On this episode of The Forward Party Podcast, hosts Lindsey Drath, former New Jersey Governor Christine Todd Whitman, and former Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healy sit down with two independent candidates running for governor in 2026: Ken Block of Rhode Island and Rick Bennett of Maine. Their conversations explore why experienced political leaders are stepping away from party labels, what voters are asking for, and whether independent candidates can offer a different approach to governing. Ken Block, a Forward-endorsed independent candidate for governor of Rhode Island, joins the hosts to discuss his third campaign for the state's highest office. Block has previously run under different political labels, but says his views have remained consistent while the parties around him have changed. A major theme of Block's campaign is government dysfunction. He points to Rhode Island's infrastructure challenges, including the collapse of a major bridge in Providence, as an example of problems that voters expect government to address. He says voters are increasingly frustrated with political gridlock and are looking for leaders who will focus on practical solutions rather than partisan conflict. Affordability is another central issue. Block says the cost of energy, housing, and groceries is weighing heavily on Rhode Islanders, with energy costs standing out as a particular concern. He discusses the taxes included in electricity bills and argues that state policy should do more to reduce the burden on families already struggling with rising costs. Ken Block discusses why independence can be an advantage in the governor's office.