Our Values
California Forwardists are committed to the following values:
Community Service & Grassroots Action
I give back to my neighborhood and community
I participate in my local politics
I practice empathy, grace, and kindness everyday
Pragmatism & Continuous Learning
I identify and tackle the root causes
I pursue truth and practice discernment
I educate myself before educating others
Moving Forward Together
We celebrate our differences and evolve through them
We reach consensus through data and collaboration
We adapt, innovate, and future-proof
Our Vision
Forward California envisions the Golden State at its greatest -
A vibrant and harmonious community, relentlessly committed to integrity, justice, and opportunity, where:
The well-being of all people comes first and foremost.
Our differences are celebrated as opportunities to build trust, rather than exploited to fuel polarization.
We advance society by unlocking people's creative potential.
People have the security to pursue their dreams and the means to attain them.
Californians have a restored belief in their power to make a difference.
Our Mission
Forward California's approach to a better California is to actively:
1. Blaze the trail for a competitive multi-party democracy in California.
2. Elect representatives at all levels that are responsible, responsive, accountable, transparent, honest.
3. Advocate for pragmatic, data-driven solutions that actually better the lives of our communities.
Current Leadership

Sara Lashanlo
Co-chair

Mike Todaro
Co-chair

Rick Chen
Co-chair

Cynthia Tai
Communications Coordinator

Sarah Czech
Policy Coordinator

Andrew Selivra
West LA Field Organizer
Who We Are
- We’re humanitarians who simply want better outcomes for people and our communities.
- We’re non-extremist, independent thinkers, and we want to build a better democracy that works for all of us.
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We advocate for candidates and solutions that are:
- Innovative and data-driven
- Collaborative and consensus-focused
- Pragmatic and responsible