The NC Forward Party

Episode 55 of the Where the Dogwood Blooms podcast, hosted by Cassie Clark, titled "The NC Forward Party" was published on February 25, 2026 and runs 62 minutes.

February 25, 2026 ·62m · Where the Dogwood Blooms

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Summary

In this episode, I sat down in downtown Raleigh with Lennie Friedman — retired NFL player and Vice Chair of the North Carolina Forward Party — for a real, candid conversation about why he stepped into a third-party movement that says it’sfighting for the political “middle 70%.”Lennie walks through how the Forward Party first came together nationally, led by Andrew Yang and former New Jersey Governor Christine Todd Whitman — and why the North Carolina chapter is choosing to stay laser-focused on state issues instead of getting swallowed up in national political chaos.We dig into what they see as the root problem: broken political incentives. That means tackling gerrymandering, pushing for term limits, and advocating for instant runoff (ranked-choice) voting so candidates actually have to earn 50% support — especially in primaries where someone can currently win with roughly 30%.Lennie makes the case that those reforms would reduce the “spoiler” fear around third parties, force candidates to campaign beyond their base, and maybe — just maybe — cool down some of the mudslinging that’s become standard operating procedure.We also get into education. Lennie talks about outcomes over dollars spent, pointing to what’s been called the “Mississippi Miracle” and gains in other Southern states as proof that improvement is possible. I raise concerns about schools drifting away from core academics and toward social and cultural debates. He’s clear: the party’s focus is foundational skills — reading, math, communication, and real workforce readiness. We talk teacher pay too, particularly how compensation connects to performance and student outcomes.Of course, I ask the question conservatives and unaffiliated voters are thinking: where exactly does this party land? Lennie outlines support for the Second Amendment alongside background checks, expanding voting access while maintaining voter ID, and a rejection of the loudest, most extreme partisan narratives on both sides.I share my own positions too — from free speech to medical marijuana for PTSD — and my frustration with the constant polarization. And yes, we talk about my strong opposition to Governor Roy Cooper and why that stance is personal for me.We close on kitchen-table issues: jobs, affordability, and what globalization has done to small towns across North Carolina. We talk trade skills, community colleges, permitting bottlenecks, and regulation. Lennie argues that deregulation could help increase affordable housing supply, and that healthcare reforms — including reducing certificate-of-need restrictions — could boost competition and lower costs.It’s not a shouting match. It’s not a gotcha interview.It’s a long, thoughtful conversation about whether there’s room in North Carolina for something different — and whether the “middle” is as invisible as it feels.Connect with Lennie Friedman:WebsiteXSponsors:Knights of Pythias Cumberland Lodge No. 5Support Where the Dogwood Blooms: If you enjoy our content, consider supporting us via:VenmoCash AppConnect with Where the Dogwood Blooms:WebsiteInstagramXTikTokContact:[email protected]:#LennieFriedman #NCForwardParty #NorthCarolinaPolitics #RankedChoiceVoting #ElectionReform #ThirdPartyMovement #RoyCooper

Episode Description

Lennie walks through how the Forward Party first came together nationally, led by Andrew Yang and former New Jersey Governor Christine Todd Whitman — and why the North Carolina chapter is choosing to stay laser-focused on state issues instead of getting swallowed up in national political chaos.

We dig into what they see as the root problem: broken political incentives. That means tackling gerrymandering, pushing for term limits, and advocating for instant runoff (ranked-choice) voting so candidates actually have to earn 50% support — especially in primaries where someone can currently win with roughly 30%.

Lennie makes the case that those reforms would reduce the “spoiler” fear around third parties, force candidates to campaign beyond their base, and maybe — just maybe — cool down some of the mudslinging that’s become standard operating procedure.

We also get into education. Lennie talks about outcomes over dollars spent, pointing to what’s been called the “Mississippi Miracle” and gains in other Southern states as proof that improvement is possible. I raise concerns about schools drifting away from core academics and toward social and cultural debates. He’s clear: the party’s focus is foundational skills — reading, math, communication, and real workforce readiness. We talk teacher pay too, particularly how compensation connects to performance and student outcomes.

Of course, I ask the question conservatives and unaffiliated voters are thinking: where exactly does this party land? Lennie outlines support for the Second Amendment alongside background checks, expanding voting access while maintaining voter ID, and a rejection of the loudest, most extreme partisan narratives on both sides.

I share my own positions too — from free speech to medical marijuana for PTSD — and my frustration with the constant polarization. And yes, we talk about my strong opposition to Governor Roy Cooper and why that stance is personal for me.

We close on kitchen-table issues: jobs, affordability, and what globalization has done to small towns across North Carolina. We talk trade skills, community colleges, permitting bottlenecks, and regulation. Lennie argues that deregulation could help increase affordable housing supply, and that healthcare reforms — including reducing certificate-of-need restrictions — could boost competition and lower costs.

It’s not a shouting match. It’s not a gotcha interview.

It’s a long, thoughtful conversation about whether there’s room in North Carolina for something different — and whether the “middle” is as invisible as it feels.

Connect with Lennie Friedman:

Sponsors: