Episode Details

What does it take to govern effectively when you leave the traditional party system behind? On this episode of The Forward Party Podcast, hosts Lindsey Drath, former New Jersey Governor Christine Todd Whitman, and former Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healy sit down with two independent candidates running for governor in 2026: Ken Block of Rhode Island and Rick Bennett of Maine. Their conversations explore why experienced political leaders are stepping away from party labels, what voters are asking for, and whether independent candidates can offer a different approach to governing.

Ken Block, a Forward-endorsed independent candidate for governor of Rhode Island, joins the hosts to discuss his third campaign for the state's highest office. Block has previously run under different political labels, but says his views have remained consistent while the parties around him have changed.

A major theme of Block's campaign is government dysfunction. He points to Rhode Island's infrastructure challenges, including the collapse of a major bridge in Providence, as an example of problems that voters expect government to address. He says voters are increasingly frustrated with political gridlock and are looking for leaders who will focus on practical solutions rather than partisan conflict.

Affordability is another central issue. Block says the cost of energy, housing, and groceries is weighing heavily on Rhode Islanders, with energy costs standing out as a particular concern. He discusses the taxes included in electricity bills and argues that state policy should do more to reduce the burden on families already struggling with rising costs.

• Ken Block discusses why independence can be an advantage in the governor's office.

• Rhode Island voters identify affordability and government dysfunction as major concerns.

• Block explains his views on education, energy costs, infrastructure, and AI-driven workforce changes.

• The hosts discuss the unique power and responsibilities of a state governor.

• Block explains how he plans to campaign outside the Republican and Democratic primary contests.

The episode then turns to Rick Bennett, a Forward-endorsed independent candidate for governor of Maine and former President of the Maine Senate. Bennett brings 18 years of experience in the Maine Legislature, along with experience in the private sector, and explains why he decided to leave the Republican Party and run as an independent.

For Bennett, the decision is rooted in a belief that party politics have become an obstacle to solving practical problems. He describes Maine as a state with a strong tradition of independence, where voters have repeatedly shown a willingness to choose candidates based on the individual rather than the party label. Bennett says that experience has made his transition to independent politics feel less like a departure from his values and more like a return to the approach he has always taken.

Bennett also shares what he is hearing from voters across Maine. Housing affordability, childcare, workforce shortages, energy costs, and education are among the issues he says matter most in everyday life. He argues that these concerns often receive less attention than national political fights, even though they directly affect whether families can afford to live, work, and build their lives in their communities.

• Rick Bennett explains why he chose to run for Maine governor as an independent.

• Maine's history of electing independent governors provides important context for his campaign.

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