Washington D.C. –
The Forward Party today announced its endorsement of Celeste Landry for Colorado Secretary of State and Jay Reeves for Minnesota State Auditor, supporting two highly qualified candidates who share a conviction that certain government roles must be independent. As more and more voters choose not to affiliate with any political party, the Forward Party is pleased to offer voters capable, independent candidates.
Secretary of State and State Auditor are two government oversight roles that require independence. These offices are responsible for the integrity of elections, the accuracy of public financial records, and the accountability of government institutions. Landry and Reeves are knowledgeable, thorough, ethical leaders who are loyal to the law, not to a party.
Both Landry and Reeves are running on the Forward Party ballot line in their respective states, reflecting the Forward Party’s growing presence and recognition across the country.
This work is paving the way toward building a more competitive democracy where qualified candidates can run for office without first having to battle a system designed to keep them off the ballot. It gives candidates who want to run outside of the two-party system a real path forward. Instead of spending time and resources fighting to get on the ballot, candidates can focus on the issues that matter to voters.
Celeste Landry, Jay Reeves, and all of our vetted Forward Party candidates see a need for hardworking, experienced officials who can bring transparency, accountability, and independence to their offices.
“Certain government positions exist specifically to serve as checks on political power, and they cannot do that job if they are beholden to a party. Celeste Landry and Jay Reeves understand that. They are running to restore the kind of independent, credible oversight that voters in Colorado and Minnesota deserve”
-Kayla Berube, National Political Director, Forward Party
Colorado Secretary of State
Celeste Landry is running for Colorado Secretary of State. She is a longtime election and voting champion, working for more than two decades at the intersection of voting rights, electoral reform, and civic participation as a member of the League of Women Voters.
Her platform is built on three pillars:
- The right to vote
- Better representation
- Election integrity
She is the only candidate fighting Colorado’s new vacancy elections that disenfranchise voters based on party affiliation. She supports re-enfranchising Colorado 17-year-olds in the primary election if they turn 18 by the general election. Because communities are hungry for proportional ranked voting and Approval Voting, Landry is committed to writing the needed implementation rules for county clerks. Landry will also defend Colorado’s paper ballots and risk-limiting election audits.
“Elections belong to the voters, not to political parties, not to special interests, and not to whoever happens to be in power. The Secretary of State’s job is to protect the integrity of that process for everyone, and I intend to do exactly that”
-Celeste Landry, candidate for Colorado Secretary of State
Minnesota State Auditor
Jay Reeves is running for Minnesota State Auditor. He spent nearly 17 years serving in the United States Army as a lab scientist and data analyst, deploying to Iraq and rising to the rank of Major. He now brings that record of service and analytical expertise to a race for State Auditor.
His background spans union labor, independent small business ownership as a truck driver, military healthcare leadership, and private-sector data analytics. His platform for State Auditor reflects that background by:
- Keeping the office free from outside political influence
- Building a modern data dashboard with township-level detail
- Creating a single standardized statewide reporting system
- Providing training to jurisdictions across Minnesota
- Ensuring that fraud and financial irregularities are reported promptly to the appropriate authorities, with law and process driving every decision rather than partisan pressure
“This race is different from any other in that it is a position that requires independence. Keeping the office free of outside influence and ensuring unbiased reports are among my top priorities, and I am ready to serve our state in a way that positively impacts every community”
-Jay Reeves, candidate for Minnesota State Auditor
Celeste Landry and Jay Reeves represent the leadership values and experience the Forward Party was built to support. They bring genuine independence, deep expertise, and a demonstrated commitment to the public interest over partisan advantage.
The Forward Party’s ability to offer them both ballot lines in Colorado and Minnesota is proof that it is building a viable infrastructure for independents. Every candidate who runs under the Forward ballot line is evidence that the path exists and that the two-party duopoly over ballot access can change.
The Forward Party is building a national movement to support qualified, independent-minded leaders and to expand choices for voters across the country. Additional endorsements will be announced in the months ahead leading up to the November 2026 election.
