MissionThe Centrist Project aims to reshape and reform our political system -- not as a traditional third party, but as America’s first Unparty. We are a 21st Century grassroots organization dedicated to organizing Centrist Americans, supporting Centrist policies and encouraging more independent candidates to run for public office to put our country ahead of any political faction in order to solve problems.Our political system is at a crossroads. Our two parties are producing zero results for the American people, as they are more focused on running to the extremes to win elections than coming to center to solve problems. The political pendulum swings back and forth, but very little is getting done. It’s time to change the equation. We're surrounded by innovation every day. Companies and organizations that weren't around ten years ago have revolutionized the way we travel, communicate, entertain, live, and learn. But in politics, we’re stuck with two choices that most of us don’t like. We think some innovation is long overdue to make our politics more representative of and responsive to all Americans.Centrist ProjectCP3_e16d2d16-88e2-11e7-8795-25e98c5edbbcVotersWe are organizing a grassroots movement of Americans -- Democrats, Republicans, and independents -- who feel left behind by both parties and who want our leaders to work together to get things done. Through our Centrist Chapters and Membership Program, we are giving the silent majority a voice on some of the most important public policy issues of our time.Candidates for Elective OfficeWe want independent candidates to run for office unaffiliated with any political party. Our Centrist Election Engine provides prospective candidates with access to the tools, training, and talent they need to run competitive campaigns without traditional party support. We seek candidates of great personal integrity who are aligned with the Centrist Principles and approach to governance. Centrist Project TeamCharles WheelanCo-Chair -- Charles Wheelan is the founder of The Centrist Project, a 501(c)4 creating the first political home for centrists. The organization is based on his book, "The Centrist Manifesto" (W.W. Norton), which outlines a set of centrist principles: fiscal responsibility, environmental responsibility, social tolerance, and genuine economic opportunity for all. The book also outlines an innovative electoral strategy to elect five centrist U.S. senators empowered to broker deals across party lines. The Centrist Project's ultimate goal is to help pragmatic leaders and voters solve America's greatest policy challenges. Wheelan is a Senior Lecturer in Economics at Dartmouth. He has served as the Midwest correspondent for The Economist, as an adjunct lecturer at Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism, and as Director of Policy and Communications for Chicago Metropolis 2020. In 2009, he was a Democratic candidate for Congress in Illinois' 5th District. In addition, Wheelan previously served as the speechwriter for Maine Governor John R. McKernan, Jr. He is the New York Times bestselling author of Naked Economics: Undressing the Dismal Science, and is currently at work on An Introduction to Public Policy. Wheelan received an BA from Dartmouth, an MPA from Princeton University's Woodrow Wilson School and a PhD in public policy from the University of Chicago's Harris School in 1998. Colston YoungCo-Chair & TREASURER -- Colston Young is the founder of Whiteboot, providing content marketing for high-touch professional services firms. He has deep finance experience in the technology sector. Colston has held positions at Sapphire Ventures, Credit Suisse, and Bear Stearns. Colston also served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Armenia. Colston received a BA from Williams College and an MBA from Harvard Business School. Colston previously founded The Big Middle Alliance. Nick TroianoEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR -- Nick joined the Centrist Project's Founders Circle in 2014, Operating Board in 2015, and staff in October 2016. He has spent the last decade leading political reform campaigns. Most recently, Nick helped launch Change.org’s new elections platform as the company's Senior Politics Manager. Previously, he co-founded and ran The Can Kicks Back, an organization that advocated for bipartisan deficit reduction proposals. Nick also ran for U.S. Congress as an independent in 2014 in Pennsylvania’s 10th District, winning over 22,000 votes and gaining firsthand experience with the challenges facing independent candidates. Nick graduated with a MA in American government from Georgetown University and was named to Forbes' "30 Under 30" list for Law & Policy in 2016.Joel SearbySENIOR STRATEGIST -- Joel Searby is a veteran campaign operative with over 10 years' experience in the realm of political campaigning, strategic planning, and leadership development. Joel spent a decade in consulting with one of the largest firms in the Southeast, serving as CEO beginning in 2014. His firm served clients in 17 states from federal to local. In 2016, feeling a strong calling to step into the presidential mess, he left the firm to run Evan McMullin's historic independent presidential campaign.Kyle ButtsCOMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR -- Kyle brings broad experience across public affairs to his role with the Centrist Project. A communicator with a political research background, Kyle has previously worked with a diverse set of industries and organizations, from major American manufacturers and trade associations to small advocacy groups, task forces, and start-ups.Shelbi LewardCOLORADO RECRUITMENT DIRECTOR -- Shelbi comes to the Centrist Project with a variety of experiences in politics and foreign relations. After graduating with a dual degree in International Relations and Arabic from the University of Oklahoma, Shelbi worked as a Foreign Agent to Saudi Arabia, in Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin's public affairs office, and as the Colorado GOP Field Director, focused on Senator Cory Gardner's race. Most recently, she served as the RNC Regional Director, focused on grassroots efforts and coalitions.Dane SherretsOUTREACH MANAGER -- After having worked for a Republican Congressman and on a Democratic campaign, Dane realized that both parties are ill-equipped to deal with our nation's problems. Dane worked with a number of organizations in the political reform space before joining The Centrist Project in 2015. In his current role, Dane manages the Grassroots, Digital, and Founding Member programs.Tyler FisherDEPUTY DIRECTOR -- Tyler brings a diverse background to his jack-of-all-trades role at the Centrist Project. Past experience includes time on campaigns, at think tanks, and leading grassroots organizations. He has degrees in government and economics from George Mason University.Centrist Project Operating BoardJeffrey BinderPresident, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Immucor, Inc.; Senior Advisor, TPG CapitalGregg BrockwayCo-founder and chairman, Chairish; co-founder, Hotwire & TripItLeonard GailPartner, Massey & Gail, LLPKatherine GehlFormer CEO, Gehl Foods; Policy Advocate and Impact InvestorDerek McDowellCo-Founder of Boyne CapitalMarc MerrillCo-CEO & Co-Founder of Riot GamesWilliam ObenshainExecutive Director, Center for Financial Services, DePaul UniversityGreg OrmanFormer Independent Candidate, U.S. Senate (KS) & Author, "Declaration of Independents"Shawn RiegseckerCEO and Founder, CentroCentrist Project AdvisorsChris AshbyFounder, Ashby LawMatthew DowdChief Political Analyst, ABC; Former Chief Strategist, Bush for President '04Jim JonasPolitical Consultant; Campaign Manager, Greg Orman for Senate '14Pam PeakPrincipal, ALEA Strategies; former Executive Director, Centrist ProjectSenator Larry Pressler2014 U.S. Senate Candidate (Independent - South Dakota); former U.S. Senator (Republican - South Dakota); former Member of Congress (Republican - South Dakota)Lisa RicePolitical and external affairs strategist and marketing executiveDan SchnurDirector, Jesse M. Unruh Institute of Politics at the University of Southern CaliforniaJim ThomsonPresident emeritus of the RAND Corporation; professor at the Pardee RAND Graduate SchoolRussel Verneyformer Chairman, Reform Party; former Campaign Manager, Perot for President ‘96Dane WatersFounder, Tipping Point StrategiesCentrist Project Nextgen Leadership CouncilMarc MerrillCo-Chair - Co-CEO & Co-Founder of Riot GamesKellen ArnoPartner, Grandview CampaignsMorgan BellerCorporate Development, FacebookJesse BeyrouteyPartner, IA VenturesKyle ButtsFounder, Hinge IntelPatrick CasonDirector of Engagement, Satchel HealthJeff CruttendenCo-Founder, AcornsJesse DraperFounding Partner, Halogen VenturesBen GoldhirshCo-Founder & CEO, GOODE.J. Kalafarskiformer Presidential Innovation FellowSean KellyCEO, SnackNationAkshay KhannaVice President of Strategy, Philadelphia 76ersAllie KlunInnovate Your StateAnna Squires LevineHead of Growth, IndustriousNanxi LiuFounder & CEO, EnplugVishal LuganiInvestor, Aspect VenturesRoss McCrayFounder & CEO, VideoAmpMike McCormickPrincipal, Comet LabsMegan NealVice President, Ovation TVLiya PalagashviliAssistant Professor of Economics, SUNY PurchaseSteven PlaceFounder, CorillianRaven RobinsonCEO, Political Strategist at Pr2PoliticsTommy SobelNew Media Creative Executive, Amblin PartnersNithyaa VenkataramaniPortfolio Investing Manager, New Profit _e16d3018-88e2-11e7-8795-25e98c5edbbcTo reshape and reform our political system -- not as a traditional third party, but as America's first Unparty._e16d313a-88e2-11e7-8795-25e98c5edbbcCommon SenseWhat We Stand For -- The Centrist Project follows a set of common-sense principles that support the continued progress and success of American society. These principles are a coherent set of ideas that draw from the best of the traditional political parties and ditch the rest. They are rational, understandable and designed to promote action, not contention. After all, we're focused on solving problems... not creating them. Long-Term PerspectiveAPPROACH TO GOVERNANCE -- We believe that in order to breakthrough politics Centrist lawmakers must take an approach to governance that involves: Putting country before party: We will put the long-term interests of our country ahead of the short-term interests of any political party or special interest group.FactualityFollowing the facts: We will seek the truth and let the facts guide how we make decisions.TruthCommon GroundFinding common ground: We will stick to our principles while finding areas of agreement with those whom we might otherwise disagree in order to solve problems.AgreementFiscal ResponsibilityFISCAL RESPONSIBILITY -- We are committed to putting the nation on a sound fiscal path. We recognize that this will require a combination of revenue increases, spending cuts and reforms to our major entitlement programs.MarketsWe need to take full advantage of America's remarkable economic potential. This includes respecting our markets; promoting responsible free trade; building and maintaining a twenty-first century infrastructure; creating a more efficient tax system; restoring fiscal sanity by bringing the overall budget back in balance; and rebuilding our international institutions to handle modern issues that transcend national borders. TradeInfrastructureEfficiencyTransnationalismPragmatismFUNCTIONING GOVERNMENT -- We believe in putting the nation's long-term interests ahead of the electoral interests of a political party or any narrow interest group. Government should be pragmatic and solve problems. Rather than a rigid ideology, governance should be a process where we come together and ask: What is the problem we're trying to address? Why isn't the market fixing it? What policy would produce a better outcome? And what are the tradeoffs to implementing this new policy? After weighing these considerations, the government should then take appropriate action that makes us collectively better off than we are today.Economic OpportunityECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY -- We believe the role of government is to create an environment in which the private sector can thrive; to provide a meaningful safety net; and to ensure that every American has an opportunity to achieve his or her economic potential.ModernizationWe have to modernize our programs for the twenty-first century economy.Human CapitalWe need to invest in human capital (early childhood education, quality K-12, and modern workforce skills).Safety NetAnd, we need a safety net that is finely targeted; benefits should go to those who really need them.Problem SolvingSOLVING PROBLEMS -- We realize that governing a nation of more than 300 million people is inherently difficult and contentious. Sometimes we must set aside ideological purity if it leads to achieving things that are broadly consistent with our views.CompromiseOur behavior should be guided by the most important lesson of the United States Constitutional Convention: In a vibrant democracy, compromise is an essential source of strength.ToleranceSOCIAL TOLERANCE -- We believe that the federal government should not involve itself in private behavior that does not affect the broader public. We should work to heal America's division on social issues rather than exploiting them for political advantage.ReasonWhen private behavior does not affect the rest of us, we ought to let individuals decide what to do. In return, we expect individuals to act reasonably and responsibly.ResponsibilityEnvironmental StewardshipENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY -- We will act as stewards of the environment for future generations. Climate change represents a real threat to the United States and the international community. We support international efforts to curtail carbon emissions, including policies that raise the cost of polluting behavior.ElectionElect candidates to closely divided legislatures at a state and federal level._e16d323e-88e2-11e7-8795-25e98c5edbbcState LegislaturesU.S. SenateWe are leveraging our supporter base and our electoral infrastructure to strategically elect candidates to closely divided legislatures at a state and federal level. In these legislatures, like the US Senate, just a handful of independents (3-5) can deny both parties an outright majority and exercise disproportionate influence as a swing coalition. The Fulcrum Strategy is an innovative, tangible, and achievable hack to our political system that can make a political impact in a very short period of time. Here's why:DataTake a data-driven approach to picking the states and districts where a handful of candidates can be most viable. _e16d337e-88e2-11e7-8795-25e98c5edbbc1We only need to elect a handful of candidates, and we will take a data-driven approach to picking the states and districts where they can be most viable.SupportFunnel financial and volunteer support from Centrists across the country into our handful of campaigns._e16d34a0-88e2-11e7-8795-25e98c5edbbc2CentristsWe will overcome the inherent advantages of partisan candidates by funneling financial and volunteer support from Centrists across the country into our handful of campaigns.PluralitiesWin pluralities of the vote in three-way races._e16d35b8-88e2-11e7-8795-25e98c5edbbc3Independent VotersOur candidates only need a plurality of the vote to win in a three-way race, and independent voters alone comprise more than a plurality of the electorate.2017-08-24http://www.centristproject.org/missionOwenAmburOwen.Ambur@verizon.net