HALLIE LAUER, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette | View Article on Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
The Forward Party was born out of the political celebrity Yang attained during his 2020 Democratic presidential campaign
Allegheny County executive candidate Joe Rockey has picked up another endorsement, this one from an emerging centrist political group led by former Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang.
Mr. Yang’s Forward Party, which was born out of the political celebrity he attained during his 2020 campaign, backed the GOP nominee for the county’s top position Thursday. The group has also endorsed District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr. for reelection. Mr. Zappala is a lifelong Democrat running as the GOP nominee in the November election.
“Joe Rockey’s platform focuses on real solutions to pressing problems in Allegheny County, including public safety, jobs, and tax reform, and aligns with the ethos at the heart of the Forward Party,” Mr. Yang said. “He’s a voice of moderation in a county that has seen increasing problems driven by politicians who are more interested in scoring partisan points than serving the people of Pennsylvania’s second largest county.”
The Forward Party, launched in 2021, is the latest in a string of third-party groups meant to offer an alternative to voters disaffected with the two major parties. Some of the group’s main priorities include election reforms like nonpartisan primaries and creating independent redistricting commissions. Despite the group’s interest in multiple Allegheny County races, it hasn’t met the state’s requirements to be an official political party.
Joe Rockey is getting support from a new GOP group in his campaign for Allegheny County executive
At the Laborers Union Hall & Headquarters Downtown, Mr. Rockey was joined by Mr. Yang, former Pennsylvania Republican Gov. Tom Corbett and multiple union leaders for the endorsement.
“This endorsement embodies what our campaign stands for — moving Allegheny County forward, together,” Mr. Rockey wrote in a social media post.
Mr. Rockey, a former PNC executive, faces Democratic nominee Sara Innamorato in the November general election. He has often said during his campaign that “the only R in this race is Rockey,” emphasizing his centrism.
The Forward Party’s endorsement in two Allegheny County races is an effort to “bring a slate of candidates… that have broad appeal and a proven track record of finding shared ground solutions to big problems,” the group said in a statement.
Hallie Lauer: [email protected]