As polarization and party loyalty increasingly dominate American politics, many voters are looking for alternatives beyond the traditional Democratic and Republican duopoly. In New Mexico, the search lands some residents in the Forward Party—a centrist movement focused on open primaries, community-rooted leadership, and breaking down barriers to political participation.
Bob Perls leads the movement, informed by his experience as a former state legislator, diplomat, and advocate for election reform. He believes restoring civic trust and cooperation begins with giving voters more meaningful choices at the ballot box.
Perls is chairman of the Forward Party of New Mexico. He spent decades navigating the corridors of power in New Mexico and abroad. His passion for public policy, civic engagement, and bipartisan cooperation drives his latest mission to build the Forward Party as a viable political alternative in New Mexico.
He grew up in Albuquerque, left to study at Pomona College in California, and returned—unlike many of his high-achieving classmates. “I always loved New Mexico,” he says. “We have so much potential.” Loyalty to his home state led him to build a medical technology company here, and serve two terms in the state legislature. He later joined the U.S. Foreign Service, with posts in Germany, Gambia, Canada, and Pakistan.
His time abroad gives him perspective. “When I was a diplomat talking about how America is the beacon of democracy... I came back realizing that our democracy is really pretty broken,” he says. “We still have a functioning government, but we have a politics industry made up of this duopoly—these two parties—that spend more time fighting each other than solving problems.”
The dysfunction motivated him to found New Mexico Open Elections, a nonprofit that spent 10 years pushing for open primaries in the state. “I’m nothing if not persistent,” he says. The effort paid off. Beginning in 2026, independent voters will be able to participate in primaries in New Mexico.
Now, as state chair of the Forward Party, Perls wants to expand political choice for voters. “We don’t want to be a third party,” he says. “We want to be your second party.”
His vision isn’t to add to political polarization but to create a home for independents and disillusioned Republicans and Democrats. “We’re the un-party party,” he says.
Founded nationally by a bipartisan group including Andrew Yang and former New Jersey Governor Christine Todd Whitman, the Forward Party emphasizes grassroots organizing, data-driven solutions, and political moderation. Perls says, “We’re trying to get people enthused, to run for office, to learn how to campaign and represent people—not just the party base.”
The party avoids litmus tests on divisive issues. “There aren’t going to be any ‘you must believe this’ policy positions,” Perls says. “Most people have a mishmash of beliefs. I’m socially liberal and fiscally conservative. Where does that put me in the current party system?”
He points to his legislative accomplishments as proof that cross-cutting political beliefs can produce results. “I passed our first Charter School Act; I merged the Public Utilities and State Corporation Commissions; I banned cigarette sales to minors—New Mexico was the last state allowing it; I was into ethics reform, term limits,” he says. “These were common-sense solutions.”
Perls sees the partisan climate as corrosive. “Democrats aren’t allowed to talk to Republicans anymore, Republicans aren’t allowed to talk to Democrats,” he says. “We used to have two fairly moderate candidates competing in the general election.” Now, he says, “people are more worried about being primaried by someone more extreme.”
He believes most New Mexicans still want cooperation, especially on public safety. “People don’t want to defund the police, they want community-based officers who are in it for the right reasons,” he says. “You need a political system that incentivizes consensus—and ours doesn’t.”
The Forward Party’s top priority is becoming an officially recognized political party in New Mexico. That requires 3,500 verified signatures from registered voters, though they aim to collect 5,000. “You can be a Republican, Democrat, Libertarian—it doesn’t matter. You’re just saying we want this option on the ballot,” he says.
Voters can visit forwardparty.com to sign up for updates or request a petition. Paper signatures are required by law. Perls says they’ll be marching in the 4th of July parade in Corrales, collecting signatures. “We’re a hodgepodge, just like New Mexico is.”
Though the Forward Party doesn’t dictate policy, Perls does have opinions—particularly on education. “Every school should be a charter school,” he says. “I believe in site-based management. But I don’t support vouchers.” He adds, “Public dollars shouldn’t go to religious schools,” and “unions should be starting charter schools—empowering teachers instead of protecting bureaucracies.”
Perls stresses that the Forward Party wants to build something different—rooted in local priorities and practical solutions. “Democracy is a means of compromise. We want people to run based on the values of their communities, not national platforms.”
And he urges civic engagement. “Only 2–5% of people are deciding who governs us because so few vote in primaries.” According to Perls, “that’s not democracy.” Voting, he says, is “a human right... nothing is more important.”
He encourages locals to get involved. “We’re holding meetups, recruiting volunteers,” he says. He encourages citizens to contact his growing party. “If you want to help lead in your city or county, we’ll get right back to you.
