DEMOCRACY WEEK 2025 - The Forward Party: A Case Professorship Conversation
Join the Eagleton Institute of Politics for the 2025 Clifford P. Case Professorship in Public Affairs with the founders of the Forward Party, whose motto is, “Not Left. Not Right. FORWARD.” This year’s conversation will explore how their distinguished careers in public service, defense of democratic values, and commitment to reshaping political discourse reflect Senator Case’s legacy of bipartisanship and principle.
2025 Clifford P. Case Co-Professors:
The Honorable Dr. Kerry Healey, Executive Chair of the Forward Party – Dr. Kerry Murphy Healey’s career spans higher education, elected office, and foreign and domestic public policy. She currently co-chairs the Council for Responsible Social Media (CRSM) with former House Leader Dick Gephardt. CRSM is a non-partisan coalition focused on addressing online threats to youths, democracy and national security. From 2019-2022, Healey was the inaugural president of the Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream in Washington, DC, and continues with the Milken Center as a Senior Fellow. Dr. Kerry Murphy Healey served as Massachusetts’ 70th Lieutenant Governor under Governor Mitt Romney, leading bipartisan initiatives on healthcare, education, and public safety. From 2013 to 2019, she was the first woman president of Babson College, where she expanded global entrepreneurship programs, improved affordability and access, and was later named President Emerita.
The Honorable Christine Todd Whitman, Founding Co-Chair of the Forward Party – Christine Todd Whitman was the 50th Governor of the State of New Jersey, serving as its first woman governor from 1994 until 2001. Governor Whitman went on to serve in the cabinet of President George W. Bush as Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency from January of 2001 until June of 2003. As Governor, Whitman earned praise from both Republicans and Democrats for her commitment to preserve a record amount of New Jersey land as permanent green space. She was also recognized by the Natural Resources Defense Council as having instituted the most comprehensive beach monitoring system in the nation. As EPA Administrator, she promoted common-sense environmental improvements such as watershed-based water protection policies. She championed regulations requiring non-road diesel engines to reduce sulfur emissions by more than 95 percent. During her tenure, the Agency was successful in passing and implementing landmark brownfields legislation to promote the redevelopment and reuse of “brownfields”, previously contaminated industrial sites.
Andrew Yang, Founding Co-Chair of the Forward Party – Yang was a Democratic candidate for president of the United States in 2020. Yang announced his run for the presidency under the slogan “Make America Think Harder” (MATH) along with his defining policy proposal of Universal Basic Income (UBI), which is a supplemental income offered to American adults to prepare them for the economic challenges incurred by artificial intelligence and automation. Prior to suspending his presidential campaign in February 2020, Yang built a strong digital coalition and attracted a base of loyal supporters called the Yang Gang. In 2021, Yang changed his voter registration from Democrat to Independent. In a statement about the change, Yang said, “Now that I’m not a member of one party or another, I feel like I can be even more honest about both the system and the people in it…I believe I can reach people who are outside the system more effectively. I feel more . . . independent.” In July 2022 Yang alongside former Democrats, Republicans and Independents formed the new political party Forward.
*In-person only. Extra Credit Opportunity Available.
This program is presented by the Clifford P. Case Professorship of Public Affairs, which honors Senator Case by bringing prominent and respected public servants to meet with students and deliver public remarks at Rutgers.