Forward Florida

Forward Florida
Name	Forward Florida
Type	Political advocacy group
Founded	2018
Headquarters	Tallahassee, Florida
Leader title	Executive Director
Leader name	Jason Smith
Region	Florida
Website	ForwardFlorida.org

Forward Florida is a political advocacy and grassroots organization active in the U.S. state of Florida. The group engages in voter outreach, candidate training, policy advocacy, and independent expenditure campaigns focused on state and local races. Forward Florida operates within networks of party committees, labor organizations, civic groups, and media outlets to influence electoral outcomes and public policy debates across the state.

History

Forward Florida was established in 2018 amid a wave of post-midterm organizing that included groups such as Indivisible (organization), Emily's List, MoveOn, and League of Conservation Voters. Founders drew on experience from campaigns tied to National Democratic Redistricting Committee, Organizing for Action, and staffers previously employed by the Florida Democratic Party and Service Employees International Union. Early activities coincided with the 2018 Florida gubernatorial election and efforts around the 2018 Florida Amendment 4 voter restoration debate. In subsequent cycles Forward Florida expanded operations during the 2020 United States presidential election in Florida and the 2022 Florida gubernatorial election while interacting with coalitions including Sierra Club, Fair Fight Action, and Common Cause.

Organization and Leadership

Forward Florida is structured as a state-focused 501(c)(4) advocacy organization with affiliated independent expenditure committees and a training arm. Its leadership roster has included veterans of Hillary Clinton 2016 presidential campaign, Barack Obama 2012 presidential campaign, and staff from the AFL–CIO and Service Employees International Union (SEIU) sector. The executive director, communications director, and political director coordinate field operations in regional hubs such as Miami, Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville, and Gainesville. The group’s board has featured leaders from Democratic National Committee-aligned organizations, civic nonprofits, and academic institutions including faculty from the University of Florida and Florida State University.

Political Positions and Platform

Forward Florida’s platform emphasizes priorities commonly advanced by progressive and center-left organizations, aligning with positions taken by Joe Biden's political coalition, Democratic Party (United States), and allied advocacy groups like Planned Parenthood and Human Rights Campaign. The group advocates for criminal justice reforms similar to provisions promoted during the 2018 Florida Amendment 4 campaign, supports expansion of Medicaid under frameworks debated in the Florida Legislature, and promotes climate resilience measures echoed in proposals from the Biden administration and Environmental Protection Agency. On voting rights, Forward Florida backs policies championed by Fair Fight Action and League of Women Voters, including automatic voter registration models and restoration of rights debated in state constitutional amendment campaigns.

Campaigns and Activities

Forward Florida runs voter registration drives, phone-banking, canvassing, digital advertising, and candidate endorsement programs modeled after training curricula used by EMILY's List and Run for Something. The group has field programs targeting swing districts in Miami-Dade County, Broward County, Orange County, Pinellas County, and Duval County. It has produced independent expenditure ads in contested state senate and house races, coordinated ballot initiative campaigns similar to Amendment 2 (2020) style efforts, and partnered with organizations like Black Voters Matter and Latino Victory Fund for GOTV efforts. Forward Florida has also hosted policy forums featuring speakers from Center for American Progress, Brookings Institution, and state officials from the Florida Department of Health during public health advocacy.

Funding and Donors

Forward Florida’s funding model combines small-dollar grassroots contributions, major donors, and transfers from allied political committees. Large donors associated with the organization have included individuals and families who have historically supported Democratic Party (United States) causes and philanthropic entities similar to Open Society Foundations-aligned donors and state-focused donor networks. The group has received in-kind support from labor affiliates such as AFL–CIO locals and technical assistance from national groups including Priorities USA and NextGen America. Its 501(c)(4) status allows for donor privacy in certain disclosures; however, independent expenditure expenditures are reported to the Florida Division of Elections or federal agencies when required.

Controversies and Criticism

Forward Florida has faced criticism from Republican Party (United States) officials, conservative media outlets including Fox News affiliates in Florida, and watchdog groups aligned with Judicial Watch for its spending on independent expenditures and perceived coordination with party entities. Critics have challenged its tactics during close statehouse races and accused the group of partisan messaging similar to ads produced by national super PACs such as Priorities USA Action. Legal scrutiny has arisen in disputes over compliance with state campaign finance rules and coordination standards cited in cases litigated before the Florida Supreme Court and hearings at the Federal Election Commission level.

Impact and Influence on Florida Politics

Forward Florida has contributed to candidate recruitment, voter mobilization, and message testing in several competitive races, influencing outcomes in select state legislative districts and county contests. The organization’s partnerships with national networks, grassroots coalitions, and labor groups have amplified progressive policy proposals within debates overseen by the Florida Legislature and municipal bodies such as the Miami-Dade County Commission and Orange County Board of Commissioners. Its training programs have supplied campaign staff and volunteers to campaigns for figures connected to statewide tickets and congressional delegations in Florida, affecting local ballot dynamics and party infrastructure ahead of major elections.

Category:Political organizations based in Florida Category:Politics of Florida