Joe Manchin, Andrew Yang, & Justin Amash

February 21, 2026

The two-party system is showing its cracks. As polarization deepens and trust in government erodes, many Americans are asking if the red-versus-blue framework can still fulfill the needs of a diverse and complicated society. In this provocative panel, former Senator Joe Manchin, Forward Party co-founder Andrew Yang, and former Congressman Justin Amash will examine how political tribalism stifles innovation and consensus. From alternative voting systems to the rise of independents, these three leaders will explore whether a post-partisan future is possible — challenging us to rethink the foundations of American democracy in a time when the old rules are not working.

Format: Conversation with Audience Q&A

Former Senator Joe Manchin represented West Virginia in the U.S. Senate from 2010 to 2025, where he was known for his independent streak and commitment to bipartisan cooperation. He served as chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and was also a member of the Appropriations, Armed Services, and Veterans’ Affairs committees.

Born and raised in the small coal mining town of Farmington, West Virginia, Manchin was shaped by his community’s values of family, fairness, common sense, and hard work. His grandfather, known as “Papa Joe,” was an Italian immigrant and the town grocer who modeled entrepreneurship and the importance of serving the public. His grandmother, “Mama Kay,” inspired his lifelong commitment to public service through her deep compassion and care for those in need. These early influences laid the foundation for his “retail government” philosophy—prioritizing personal connection with constituents and responsive leadership.

Before joining the Senate, Manchin served in the West Virginia House of Delegates and Senate, as Secretary of State, and as Governor from 2005 to 2010. A centrist Democrat who later registered as an independent, he prioritized job creation, fiscal responsibility, and a balanced energy strategy that included both traditional and renewable resources.

Throughout his Senate tenure, Manchin played a pivotal role in key legislative negotiations, often acting as a swing vote. He championed efforts to protect Social Security and Medicare, reduce the national debt, and secure benefits for veterans.

An avid outdoorsman and licensed pilot, Manchin is married to Gayle Conelly Manchin, former federal co-chair of the Appalachian Regional Commission. They have three children and ten grandchildren.

Andrew Yang is an entrepreneur, author, and political reform advocate whose career has spanned the private, nonprofit, and political sectors. He is best known for his 2020 presidential campaign and for co-founding the Forward Party, a centrist political movement launched in 2022.

Born in Schenectady, New York, Yang was raised in Westchester County. His parents immigrated from Taiwan as graduate students at the University of California, Berkeley. He graduated from Phillips Exeter Academy, earned a degree in political science and economics from Brown University, and received a law degree from Columbia University.

Yang began his career in startups before becoming CEO of Manhattan Prep, a test preparation company. In 2011, he founded the nonprofit organization Venture for America, which aimed to foster entrepreneurship in struggling cities. In 2015, the Obama administration named him a “Presidential Ambassador for Global Entrepreneurship.”

In 2020, Yang ran for president as a Democrat with the slogan “Make America Think Harder” (MATH). His signature policy proposal was universal basic income—a monthly payment to every American adult in response to economic disruptions caused by automation and artificial intelligence. Although he ended his campaign in early 2020, he built a dedicated digital following known as the “Yang Gang.”

In 2021, Yang left the Democratic Party and registered as an independent. The following year, he joined former Democrats, Republicans, and independents to form the Forward Party, focused on electoral reform, ranked-choice voting, and promoting a more collaborative political culture.

Yang is the author of two books: “Smart People Should Build Things (2014)” and “The War on Normal People (2018).”

Justin Amash is a constitutional conservative and libertarian who served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2011 to 2021. Representing Michigan’s 3rd Congressional District, he was known for his principled stance on individual liberty, economic freedom, and the rule of law. Over the course of his five terms, Amash developed a reputation for independence, transparency, and a consistent constitutional approach to legislation.

Born and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Amash is the son of Palestinian and Syrian immigrants. He graduated from Grand Rapids Christian High School and earned a bachelor’s degree with high honors in economics from the University of Michigan. He went on to receive a juris doctor from the University of Michigan Law School before returning to West Michigan to practice law and work in his family’s business.

Before being elected to Congress in 2010, Amash served one term in the Michigan House of Representatives. In Congress, he became a leading voice on civil liberties, opposing warrantless surveillance, indefinite detention, and civil asset forfeiture. He was also a critic of corporate welfare, government overreach, and excessive spending.

In 2019, Amash left the Republican Party and became the first and only Libertarian member of Congress. He briefly explored a presidential run in 2020 and has continued to advocate for political reform, transparency, and constitutional governance.

Amash lives in Cascade Charter Township, Michigan, with his wife, Kara, and their three children: Alexander, Anwen, and Evelyn. He remains active in public discourse, promoting a vision of government rooted in accountability, individual rights, and nonpartisan integrity.