Ed.
Note: Better for America, a
501(c)(4), started up in June 2016 to
build
a
pathway
for a credible independent candidate to
launch a presidential run through ballot access. Like
Americans Elect in 2012 (+), Better for America was
founded with lofty aims, but ended with a whimper.
Founder and Chair John Kingston III
A managing member of OQ Partners private investment firm and
principal investor in Patheos, a multi-faith website, and in Polymath,
a digital media agency. Chairman and CEO of Sword & Spoon
Group from Jan. 2015; Kingston and his wife also co-founded SixSeeds in
2005. Former executive at Affiliated Managers Group (AMG), joined
the firm in 1999 andl retired in 2015.
Senior counsel at Miller Anderson & Sherrard, LLP.
Attorney at Ropes & Gray
LLP. J.D. from Harvard Law School, 1994; B.S. in organizational
behavior from the Wharton School, and a B.A. in sociology from the
University of Pennsylvania. Kingston was executive producer of
the documentary
Mitt.
Chief Strategist Joel Searby
Pollster with Data Targeting in Florida.
Executive Director Anne McDonald
Principal at Matternhorn Advisory in Dallas, TX from 2014. Chief
of staff to former First Lady Laura W. Bush Aug. 2010-July 2013.
External affairs for GHESKIO Centers in Haiti, Jan. 2009-Sept.
2010. Office of the Secretary of Defense, Sept. 2007-Jan.
2009. Office of the First Lady and USA Freedom Corps, Sept.
2005-Sept. 2007. Defense fellow in the Office of the Secretary of
Defense, Jan.-Sept. 2005. Worked in communications for the 2004
Republican National Convention. M.P.A. from Harvard University's
Kennedy School of Government, 2014; Undergraduate degree in
international studies from Rhodes College, 2003.
Counsel Matthew D. Sawyer
Advisory Board:
Christie
Todd Whitman, former New Jersey Governor and EPA Administrator .
Harvard professor Dr. David King,
chair
of
the
Kennedy
School's
program
for
Newly Elected Members of Congress and member of
the National Commission for Election Reform.
Kahlil Byrd, president and
founder of Invest
For America and co-founder and former CEO of Americans Elect.
Michael
Arno, president of Arno Petition Consultants and an expert on
ballot
access; and Ambassador James K. Glassman, veteran journalist and former
Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs.
PRESS
RELEASES
Aug. 23, 2016
BETTER FOR AMERICA ANNOUNCES END
TO CANDIDATE RECRUITMENT AND BALLOT ACCESS EFFORTS; CONTINUES CALLS FOR
LEADERSHIP, WILL PURSUE LITIGATION TO MAKE PATHWAY POSSIBLE
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Better For America was launched against the
backdrop of the deeply divisive campaigns of the two most unpopular
presidential candidates in modern history, and the widespread
dissatisfaction of the American electorate. The mission of BFA was to
keep the electoral window open through the summer, and allow a leader
to emerge to restore honor, integrity, and unifying and principled
leadership to the 2016 presidential election cycle.
To advance that objective, BFA conducted extensive
conversations with dozens of current or former senators, governors,
congressmen, Cabinet members, military leaders, and presidential
candidates, as well as establishing a foundation for ballot access
across the country.
While polling continues to show that the electorate
is dissatisfied with both candidates, and believes the country to be on
the wrong track, the opportunity for BFA to influence this election
cycle has diminished over the summer months, and BFA will therefore end
its candidate recruitment and ballot access efforts.
BFA continues to believe in the potential for
leaders to emerge and address the ongoing political crisis, and will
continue to pursue constitutional litigation to pave a path to ballot
access. Further, in states in which Better For America has established
ballot access, it will follow its established process and nominate a
candidate.
"BFA launched with two convictions -- one, that this
country needs and deserves better than the current leadership
alternatives, and two, that it is always valuable to promote integrity,
honor, and principles, no matter what the social and political
headwinds, or the costs that may be incurred. We believed that if we
promoted these ideas in public and private discourse, we could help
catalyze a meaningful movement of financial and political leaders
responding to the current crisis," said John Kingston, Founder and
Chair of Better For America. "While we are disappointed that we didn't
see the leadership response we anticipated, I am encouraged by the many
Americans who supported us in our efforts, and am particularly proud of
a remarkable BFA management team willing to sacrifice themselves out of
their great and patriotic commitment. I know these great Americans will
remain committed to restoring integrity, honor and principled
leadership to our country, and I in turn remain committed to supporting
them in these efforts."
For more information or for additional media
inquiries please contact media@betterforamerica.com.
Aug. 8, 2016
Statement
Better For America was organized as a 501(c)(4) entity to build a
pathway for an independent candidate who demonstrates honor, lives with
integrity, and seeks the best for all Americans. As such, Better For
America can not and will not coordinate with any individual candidate
or campaigns.
Better For America has a nominating process that will begin later in
this election cycle, and no BFA ballot line in any state will be
committed to a candidate, until the nomination process has been
completed.
July 7, 2016
Better For America Gains Ballot Access in New Mexico
(SANTA FE, NM) — Better For America (BFA), a nonpartisan organization
establishing ballot access for an independent candidate to run for
president in 2016, has gained ballot access in New Mexico.
BFA collected 4,108 signatures in New Mexico, approximately 1,500 more
than the state requirement. Voters in New Mexico now have an
opportunity to nominate a third choice in the 2016 presidential
election.
“By obtaining ballot access in New Mexico BFA is giving the citizens of
New Mexico the opportunity to vote for an independent alternative to
the unfavorable two party presumptive nominees for president this
November,” said Joel Searby, BFA’s chief strategist. “BFA is poised to
gain ballot access in several more states in the next several weeks.
With New Mexico leading the charge we feel very confident we are paving
a path for a great American to step into this moment,” Searby added.
“The speed and efficiency with which BFA accomplished the task of
gaining ballot access in New Mexico speaks to the talent of the team on
the ground, and the enthusiasm of voters for a third choice on the
ballot this November,” said Anne MacDonald, Executive Director of BFA.
She praised the team on the ground: “I am proud and encouraged by
everyone’s hard work to provide a pathway for a credible candidate to
run, giving the American people a better choice for president.”
BFA is building a pathway for an independent candidate to launch a
presidential run through conventional ballot access measures and
constitutional legal challenges to unduly restrictive state ballot
requirements. In this year of unprecedented dissatisfaction with the
two party candidates, this pathway will provide a leader with honor,
integrity and one who can unite America the opportunity to compete in
nearly all states and for substantially all votes in the Electoral
College.
For further information or additional media inquiries please contact
Ashley Pratte at apratte@betterforamerica.com.
July 5, 2016
New Poll Finds Majority of Voters Up For Grabs
(WASHINGTON, D.C.) — A new poll released today by USA Today/Suffolk
University found that this presidential election is “sparking feelings
of alarm” for most voters. The most striking finding is that 44% of
those surveyed were undecided.
Better For America (BFA), a nonpartisan organization establishing
ballot access for an independent candidate to run for president in
2016, is poised to offer the American people a better choice.
The survey found that, “53% have an unfavorable opinion of Clinton; 60%
have an unfavorable opinion of Trump.” Additionally, “Nearly one in
five respondents hold a negative view of them both.”
As reported in USA Today, David Paleologos, director of the Suffolk
University Political Research Center, said that a swing group whose
lesser-of-two-evils choice could determine the outcome of a competitive
election.
Better For America’s Executive Director, Anne MacDonald said, “The
American presidency should never be about choosing the lesser of two
evils. Our democracy is about choosing amongst the most qualified
candidates who have the values, integrity and honor to lead our
country." She added, "BFA is providing the pathway for that choice to
emerge and for Americans to regain hope that there is another option.”
Further, in the USA Today article, Paleologos said, "Despite their
negative feelings toward both candidates, when asked to choose between
the two…Trump has a slight edge…the majority are up for grabs as these
voters grapple with holding their noses and picking one of them or
opting for a third party option. Or staying home, come November."
As BFA establishes an independent alternative and better choice for
voters, those 44 percent who are undecided and view both candidates as
unfavorable will not have to stay home in November.
BFA is building a pathway for a credible independent candidate to
launch a presidential run through conventional ballot access measures
and constitutional legal challenges to unduly restrictive state ballot
requirements. In this year of unprecedented dissatisfaction with the
two party candidates, this viable pathway will provide a leader with
honor, integrity and one who can unite America the opportunity to
compete in nearly all states and for substantially all votes in the
electoral college.
For further information or additional media inquiries please contact
Ashley Pratte at apratte@betterforamerica.com.
Ashley Pratte
June 30, 2016
Former Gov. Christie Todd Whitman and Election Reform Expert Dr.
David King Join Better For America’s Advisory Board
(NEW YORK, NY) — Better For America (BFA), a nonpartisan organization
seeking ballot access for an independent candidate to run for president
in 2016, announced today the addition of two key members to its
Advisory Board.
Joining are former New Jersey Governor and EPA Administrator Christie
Todd Whitman and Harvard professor Dr. David King, chair of the Kennedy
School's program for Newly Elected Members of Congress and member of
the National Commission for Election Reform. Both Whitman and King
bring a legacy of commitment and understanding of reforming and
creating more choice in America’s political process, and believe that
BFA’s mission of creating ballot access for an independent candidate to
emerge this year is not only viable but necessary.
Gov. Whitman said, “Providing a better choice for the American people
can enable us to elect a president who can serve with honor and
integrity, and lead our country back onto the right track.” Whitman
added, “I look forward to advising Better For America – Republicans,
Democrats and independents, much as I did for Americans Elect in 2012.
Our country, our democracy and our leadership need a reboot. Better For
America can do that.”
As an expert on election reform, leading the Task Force on Election
Administration for the National Commission on Election Reform, chaired
by former presidents Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter, and a senior
lecturer on Public Policy at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government,
Dr. David King brings a level of academic understanding of the failure
of the two party system that few people have in this country.
King said, “Any group whose mission is to improve democracy I am
honored to be a part of. The two party system has failed the American
people on a number of levels including the electoral process, the
debate rules, and the ballot access laws, all impacting the way we
elect our President.” He continued, “Better For America is challenging
the two party system and giving the American people what they want, an
opportunity to vote for a candidate that represents them not just the
Democratic or the Republican parties. That is a worthy endeavor.”
BFA is actively working to build a pathway for a credible candidate to
launch an independent run for president by establishing a ballot line
in all viable states and engaging a variety of legal paths to gain
ballot access in those states whose deadlines pass. BFA believes that
America deserves better. A candidate who gets on all ballots between
now and August 1 has the ability to compete for over 500 Electoral
College votes, providing a realistic chance for an independent
alternative.
Ashley Pratte
June 27, 2016
There Is Still Time
Election, Communications Experts Join Group Pushing for Independent
Presidential Candidate
(NEW YORK, NY) — Better for America
(BFA) a nonpartisan group paving the way for an independent candidate
to run for president in 2016, today announced the addition of several
key advisors to its team.
Joining BFA this week are Kahlil Byrd, president and founder of Invest
For America and co-founder and former CEO of Americans Elect; Michael
Arno, president of Arno Petition Consultants and an expert on ballot
access; and Ambassador James K. Glassman, veteran journalist and former
Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs.
They bring a high level of expertise to the effort to achieve BFA’s
goals: educating the American people on the viability of an independent
presidential run, obtaining access on the ballot of every state, and
selecting a candidate.
Byrd helped build and run Americans Elect, a $45 million national
organization seeking to change the U.S. political process by providing
voters with a broader choice. By creating the first-ever
nonpartisan, national online presidential primary, Americans Elect
successfully achieved ballot access throughout the U.S. in the 2012
election.
"This is the political moment that can provide the solutions-oriented
candidate that the American people are seeking … Our democracy depends
on it,” said Byrd. “There is still time for a third candidate to win
the presidency.”
Michael Arno has successfully gained ballot access for over 700
campaigns, including for Americans Elect's efforts. His experience and
deep knowledge of election laws and process have already proven
valuable to BFA’s work.
Ambassador Glassman has a long history of public service, including his
tenure as a State Department official and as Chairman of the U.S.
Broadcasting Board of Governors,. He was also editor or publisher of
such publications as The Atlantic Monthly, The New Republic and Roll
Call. He will help accelerate BFA’s education mission, forming
strategic partnerships, and spreading the word that an independent can
compete successfully in 2016.
“With the overwhelming number of Americans who believe the system is
broken, and the unprecedented unfavorable ratings of the two
presumptive presidential nominees, it is time for a third choice,” said
Glassman, who also served as an advisor to Level the Playing Field, a
group pushing to open the final fall presidential debates to an
independent. “The American people deserve better.” Glassman continued,
“By gaining ballot access for an independent to emerge, Better For
America is doing both the American people and our democracy an enormous
service.”
John Kingston, founder and chair of Better For America, said, “We
are thrilled to have the talent, passion and knowledge of these three
individuals. The expertise and experience Kahlil Byrd and Mike Arno
bring to the table, providing a viable pathway for an independent
presidential candidate to run, elevates and adds further credibility to
what we are doing. Further, we are honored to have someone of
Jim’s caliber on board. With a career that spans business, politics,
media and government, his strategic planning advice is vital to our
mission,” added Kingston.
This election is a unique American moment with historic levels of
dissatisfaction with the two major party nominees. Overall, two out of
three Americans say they are willing to support an independent
candidate in the November election.
Better For America is actively working to build a pathway for a
credible candidate to launch an independent run for president, through
establishing a line for an independent on state ballots. BFA is also
pursuing a number of legal strategies to regain access for any states
whose deadlines have passed. BFA believes that America deserves better.
A candidate who gets on all ballots between now and August 1 has the
ability to compete for over 400 Electoral College votes, providing a
realistic chance for an independent alternative.
For further information or additional media inquiries please contact
apratte@betterforamerica.com.
About
Us
https://www.betterforamerica.com/about
America can do better. There is hope for the
republic.
We’re clearing a path to the presidency for an
alternative candidate.
We
are at a time unlike any other in American history. Even as we came out
in record numbers to vote in the Democratic and Republican primaries,
we're faced with the two most unpopular candidates in modern history.
In fact, a majority of Americans — including 90% of millennials —
want to see an independent candidate run. And the more people see of
Clinton and Trump, the less they like them.
We deserve better than two candidates
that are deeply unfavorable among
a majority of the people they claim to represent.
We deserve a candidate who represents the dynamism, diversity, and
deeply held virtues of America.
We deserve a president who demonstrates honor, lives with integrity,
and seeks the best for all Americans.
It's within our reach — there is a clear path for an independent to not
only run for president, but to win.
Better for America is building a
campaign-in-waiting,
clearing the
way for a principled, credible, worthy candidate to step forward.
We’re doing the hard work of organizing in all 50 states — building the
infrastructure for a national campaign from scratch.
That's where you come in.
Together, we can give a voice to the millions of Americans who
cannot in good conscience vote for either Donald Trump or Hillary
Clinton.
If a third party candidate emerges,
they need to know the
support they have on the ground among the nearly two-thirds of
Americans said they are willing to support an independent candidate.
There is hope for the republic — but we will only succeed as a team.
Add your name, and join
a coalition of concerned citizens in demanding better for America.
