LOS ANGELES — For years, this nation has been dominated by two major political parties, but some say it’s time for a change. According to a Pew Research survey, about 40% of Americans say they wish there were more political parties to choose from.
The chairs of two of the country’s newer political parties are joining forces to attract more potential California voters.
The Forward Party bills itself as the new and necessary party that works for people, not extremists. Among the party’s chairs is Andrew Yang, who ran as a Democratic candidate in 2020.
Yang joined former California U.S. congressman and state Sen. Tom Campbell, who is chair of the Common Sense Party, in an interview with host Alex Cohen on “Inside the Issues.”
“California [is] very ideologically diverse,” Yang said. “There are Asian communities and Latino communities and Black communities where they don’t fit that caricature of this progressive lefty. And if you go to red or purple states, there are also people from all over the map. The problem with our political system is that it does enforce the caricature.”
“In California, we’ve got such a polarized power structure,” Campbell said. “The whole idea is, ‘Maybe I don’t have the right answer, but at least I should be allowed to get into the discussion.’ And right now, if you’re not from the far left, you’re not getting into the discussion on the Democratic side. And if you’re not from the far right, the Republicans don’t want to have anything to do with you either.”
In California, there are currently six qualified political parties. Along with the Democratic and Republican parties, there are the American Independent, Green, Libertarian and Peace and Freedom parties.
Political parties are qualified either by petition or the voter registration method. Campbell said their goal is to get an affiliate of the Forward Party across the finish line in California. Yang said the Common Sense Party is halfway to the 73,000 registered voters needed to qualify.
“The Forward Party, of which Andrew Yang is co-chair, is doing a remarkable, great job across the country. And I applaud what they’re doing. We’re focusing just on California,” he said. “The key here is supporting each other.”
Although California has a top-two primary system, Campbell said the Common Sense Party could help voters even if they did not have an official candidate in the race.
“[We’ll] support the more sensible, the common sense Democrat. You don’t have to be a Common Sense Party member. Once we’re more official, we will help the common-sense candidate, even if she happens to call herself Democrat.”
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