Nashville, Tennessee –
The Forward Party today announced its endorsement of Lauren Pinkston for Governor of Tennessee, supporting a leader focused on practical solutions, accountability, and bringing people together to solve problems at a time when many Americans feel the political system is no longer working for them.
Across the country and in Tennessee, voters are increasingly frustrated with a system that limits choices, rewards partisan division, and leaves too many people feeling unheard. Lauren Pinkston represents a different kind of leadership, independent-minded, solutions-focused, and grounded in the belief that government should reflect and serve the people.
Across the country and in Tennessee, voters are increasingly frustrated with a system that limits choices, rewards partisan division, and leaves too many people feeling unheard. Lauren Pinkston represents a different kind of leadership, independent-minded, solutions-focused, and grounded in the belief that government should reflect and serve the people.
“Lauren Pinkston is exactly the kind of leader the Forward movement is working to support. Principled, collaborative, and focused on solving real problems. At a time when trust in politics is low and too many voters feel locked out of the process, leaders like Lauren are showing that it is possible to put people ahead of parties, deliver results, and be the kind of candidate people are proud to vote for.”
-Kayla Berube, Forward Party National Political Director.
Pinkston has a track record of delivering results, bringing people together, and leading with integrity through her work as an educator, entrepreneur, and counter-trafficking expert. She has focused on lowering the cost of living, strengthening education and workforce pathways, building reliable infrastructure and energy systems, restoring government accountability, and supporting rural communities, putting the needs of Tennesseans ahead of partisan politics.
Pinkston has spent her career working across sectors to solve complex challenges, from combating human trafficking globally to advancing ethical business and community development at home. Her campaign reflects a commitment to practical problem solving that resonates across Tennessee’s urban, suburban, and rural communities, and with voters who are tired of being forced to choose between two parties that do not fully represent them.
Forward supports leaders who are helping build a more representative politics, one where voters have real choices, leaders are accountable, and problem solving matters more than party labels. Pinkston embodies those values and represents the kind of leadership needed to move beyond a system that too often discourages cooperation and limits competition.
“I’m honored to receive the Forward Party’s endorsement. As a seventh-generation Tennessean, I care deeply about the future of this state. People are tired of politics that focus on division instead of results. Tennesseans want leaders who will listen, work across differences, and actually solve problems. That is exactly what I am committed to doing.”
-Lauren Pinkston, TN Gubernatorial Candidate
The Forward Party is building a national movement to support independent-minded leaders and expand choices for voters across the country. By opening pathways for candidates who are not defined by party labels, Forward is working to create a more competitive, responsive, and representative political system.
Forward will be announcing many more endorsed candidates leading up to the November 2026 election.
More information on Lauren Pinkston and a full, running list of Forward-endorsed candidates is available at forwardparty.com/candidates.
