Unite America

Unite America
Motto Country Over Party
Formation 2013
Purpose To elect independent politicians to political office
Headquarters Denver, CO
Founder
 Charlie Wheelan
Affiliations Unite New Mexico, Unite Colorado, Maine Independents, Washington Independents, National Association of Nonpartisan Reformers, Bridge Alliance
Website www.uniteamerica.org
Formerly called
 The Centrist Project

Unite America (previously known as The Centrist Project) is an American grassroots organization founded by professor Charlie Wheelan with the goal of encouraging independent candidates to run for public office. While not a political party, the project intends to endorse slates of independent candidates and provide them with campaign infrastructure, financing and support.[1]

Unite America is focused on what it calls the "Fulcrum Strategy," electing enough independents to the United States Senate to deny both major parties a majority of seats.[2][3]

Affiliated politicians include: Alaska Governor Bill Walker, Iowa state senator David Johnson, Greg Orman, and Evan McMullin.[4]

History

Author and Professor Charles Wheelan published The Centrist Manifesto in 2013, inspired by the failed bipartisan efforts surrounding the Simpson-Bowles Commission in 2011.[5] In the book, he outlines an approach to government in which a "Centrist Party" challenges partisanship by controlling the swing vote and facilitating compromise between Democrats and Republicans.[6] Putting ideas into practice, Wheelan worked with business, political, and academic leaders from across the country to form the Centrist Project in 2014, which would eventually become Unite America.[7]

In October 2016, Nick Troiano, former congressional candidate and part of "Forbes 30 under 30" for Law & Policy, joined as executive director.[8] The organization continued to grow through 2017, attracting talent from both sides of the aisle on a mission to elect enough independents to shift the balance of power in key state and statewide elections.[9] Unite America adopted its current name in January 2018, aiming to reflect the organization's core mission.[10] Unite America announced the first-ever nationwide slate of independent candidates in February 2018.[11]

Mission

Unite America aims to help independent candidates win elections by building the necessary donor network, volunteer support, and electoral infrastructure to do so.[12] It endorses candidates on both state and statewide levels, and while it is not considered a third party, Unite America candidates and supporters subscribe to a set of principles laid out in the "Declaration of Independents."[13]

"Declaration of Independents"

Each of Unite America's endorsed candidates abides by a unifying set of principles, the "Declaration of Independents," published in February 2018.[14] Developed by Unite America's leadership, the document lays out the movement's five key tenets:

"First, we put the public interest ahead of any partisan or special interest. Government should represent “We the people” – not the party leaders or those who can buy access to power.

Second, we use common sense and find common ground to solve problems. We reject today’s zero-sum politics and instead work together with Democrats and Republicans in an inclusive and civil manner to get things done.

Third, we stand for the timeless values of opportunity, equality and stewardship. We want to empower every American to realize their full potential, uphold equal rights for all under the law, and ultimately leave a stronger country for the next generation.

Fourth, we champion integrity, transparency and accountability in politics. We seek to rebuild America's trust in government by holding ourselves to the highest standards of honor and honesty and by fixing the broken incentives that contribute to political dysfunction.

Fifth, we believe in shared responsibility of civic engagement. As Americans, we understand it is our civic duty to be informed and engaged on important issues."[15]

State-focused partnerships

In an effort to build the movement from the ground up, Unite America endorses and provides resources to independent candidates for state legislatures in a number of viable states, including Colorado, New Mexico, Maine, Alaska, and Washington.[16]

Unite Colorado

Unite America formalized its Colorado-concentrated efforts for statehouse elections with the organization of its largest state-focused affiliate, Unite Colorado.[17] Troiano identified the state's wide-ranging political leanings and the potential for a historic independent candidate victory as the driving motivations for this strategy.[18]In 2018, Unite Colorado endorsed five independent candidates the Colorado House of Representatives and the Colorado Senate.[19]

Unite New Mexico

Unite America announced Unite New Mexico on May 24, 2018.[20] The group will endorse independent candidates running for office in New Mexico state legislature in an effort to promote competition amongst 30 of 70 uncontested New Mexico House of Representatives seats.[21]

2018 endorsed national and state candidates

Unite America announced the first-ever slate of national candidates in February 2018, including three gubernatorial candidates and two candidates for US Senate.[22]

2018 national candidates
Candidate Distinction State Position
Bill Walker Incumbent governor of Alaska[23] Alaska Governor
Terry Hayes State Treasurer of Maine[24] Maine Governor
Greg Orman Entrepreneur and managing member of Exemplar Holdings[25] Kansas Governor
Craig O'Dear Corporate trial attorney in Kansas City[26] Missouri US Senate
Neal Simon CEO of Bronfman Rothschild and community leader[27] Maryland US Senate

In January 2018, Unite Colorado announced a historic slate of independent candidates for both the Colorado House of Representatives and the Colorado Senate.[19] In addition, Unite America endorsed independent candidates in Washington and New Mexico statehouse races.

2018 state candidates
Candidate Distinction State Position
Steve Peterson Strategy consultant[28] Colorado Senate District 30
Maile Foster Financial planner and IBM administrator[29] Colorado House District 18
Eric Montoya City council member[30] Colorado House District 31
Jay Geyer Professor of ethics and political philosophy[31] Colorado House District 33
Thea Chase Director of the Southwest Innovation Corridor[32] Colorado House District 54
Dr. Ann Diamond Physician and board member[33] Washington Legislative District 12
Ned Witting Auditor and financial officer[34] Washington House District 25
Marco Padilla Co-founder of Bremerton Visionaries, PhD Candidate[35] Washington Legislative District 26
Tweeti Blancett Sustainable energy advocate[36] New Mexico House District 40
Jarratt Applewhite Nonprofit leader, small business owner[37] New Mexico House District 50

Board of directors

Unite America's operating board is made up of leaders from both private and public spheres.[38]

  • Charles Wheelan, founder and senior economics lecturer at Dartmouth College
  • Colston Young, director of operations at Sapphire Ventures
  • Lisa D. T. Rice, political and external affairs strategist
  • Marc Merrill, co-chairman, co-CEO, and co-founder of Riot Games
  • Ben Goldhirsh, co-founder and chairman of GOOD
  • Katherine Gehl, former president and CEO of Gehl Foods
  • Cory Gilchrist, owner and president of KCG Holdings
  • Jim Jonas, Political Strategist, campaign manager for Greg Orman for Senate '14
  • Shawn Riegsecker, CEO and founder of Centro
  • William Obenshain, executive director for financial services at DePaul University
  • Gregg Sherrill, executive director and former CEO at Tenneco
  • Bill King, former president of Southwest Airport Services and former city counselor and mayor of Kemah, Texas
  • Derek McDowell, founder and managing partner at Boyne Capital Partners
  • Jeff Binder, president, chairman, and CEO of Immucor, Inc.
  • Leonard Gail, founding partner of Massey & Gail LLP
  • Randy Peeler, managing director at Berkshire Partners
  • Linda Killian, senior scholar at Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars

References

  1. ↑ "Centrist Project Charts Path for Electing Independents". rollcall.com. Retrieved 2017-08-10.
  2. ↑ The Centrist Project. "Mission". Centrist Project. Retrieved 2017-08-10.
  3. ↑ The Centrist Manifesto, W. W. Norton, 2013. ISBN 978-0-393-34687-9
  4. ↑ "Anti-Trump Independents Are Starting to Organize". POLITICO Magazine. Retrieved 2017-08-10.
  5. ↑ "The Man Behind the Movement: An Interview with Dr. Charles Wheelan - Free Wheel Media". Free Wheel Media. 2017-10-16. Retrieved 2018-05-24.
  6. ↑ "The Centrist Manifesto | W. W. Norton & Company". books.wwnorton.com. Retrieved 2018-05-23.
  7. ↑ "Our Story". Unite America. Retrieved 2018-05-23.
  8. ↑ "Nick's Site". Nick's Site. Retrieved 2018-05-24.
  9. ↑ "Centrist Project hopes to break statehouse gridlock by electing independent candidates - Colorado Politics". coloradopolitics.com. Retrieved 2018-05-24.
  10. ↑ "Centrist Project launches initial Colorado slate of unaffiliated legislative candidates, announces name change - Colorado Politics". coloradopolitics.com. Retrieved 2018-05-24.
  11. ↑ "Unite America Announces First-Ever National Slate of Independent U.S. Senate and Governor Candidates". Unite America. Retrieved 2018-05-24.
  12. ↑ "Our Mission". Unite America. Retrieved 2018-05-24.
  13. ↑ "Declaration of Independents". Unite America. Retrieved 2018-05-24.
  14. ↑ "Statewide independents roll out national slate". POLITICO. Retrieved 2018-05-24.
  15. ↑ "Independents Can Unite America | RealClearPolitics". Retrieved 2018-05-24.
  16. ↑ "Unite America Director: History Will Be Made In November". IVN.us. 2018-03-13. Retrieved 2018-05-24.
  17. ↑ Roberts, Michael (2018-01-09). "Unite Colorado's Plan to Snuff Out Partisan Political Bullsh*t". Westword. Retrieved 2018-05-24.
  18. ↑ "Unite America Director: History Will Be Made In November". IVN.us. 2018-03-13. Retrieved 2018-05-24.
  19. 1 2 "Unite America Director: History Will Be Made In November". IVN.us. 2018-03-13. Retrieved 2018-05-24.
  20. ↑ Writer, Dan McKay | Journal Staff. "New group promotes independent candidates in NM". www.abqjournal.com. Retrieved 2018-05-24.
  21. ↑ "Independent Revolution Expands to New Mexico with Competitive Slate of Candidates". IVN.us. 2018-05-24. Retrieved 2018-05-24.
  22. ↑ "National Slate of Independent Candidates". National Press Club. 2014-08-14. Retrieved 2018-05-24.
  23. ↑ "Gov. Bill Walker, Governor (AK)". Unite America. Retrieved 2018-05-23.
  24. ↑ "Treasurer Terry Hayes, Governor (ME)". BDN Politics. Retrieved 2018-06-08.
  25. ↑ "Greg Orman, Governor (KS)". Kansas City Star. Retrieved 2018-06-08.
  26. ↑ "Craig O'Dear, US Senate (MO)". Kansas City Post. Retrieved 2018-06-08.
  27. ↑ "Neal Simon, US Senate (MD)". Politico. Retrieved 2018-06-08.
  28. ↑ "Steve Peterson, Senate District 30". IVN. Retrieved 2018-06-08.
  29. ↑ "Maile Foster, House District 18". Colorado Springs Indepdendent. Retrieved 2018-06-08.
  30. ↑ "Eric Montoya, House District 31". Eric Montoya. Retrieved 2018-06-08.
  31. ↑ "Jay Geyer, House District 33". Jay Geyer. Retrieved 2018-06-08.
  32. ↑ "Thea Chase, House District 54". Colorado Politics. Retrieved 2018-06-08.
  33. ↑ "Ann Diamond, WA LD-12". Unite America. Retrieved 2018-05-24.
  34. ↑ "Ned Witting, WA HD-25". Washington Independents. Retrieved 2018-06-08.
  35. ↑ "Marco Padilla, WA LD-26". Marco Padilla. Retrieved 2018-06-08.
  36. ↑ "Tweeti Blancett, NM HD-40". INV. Retrieved 2018-06-08.
  37. ↑ "Jarratt Applewhite, NM HD-50". Santa Fe New American. Retrieved 2018-06-08.
  38. ↑ "About Us". The Centrist Project - 2014 Cycle. Retrieved 2018-05-24.


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