The Political Reformer
In 2015, Charles Wheelan founded the organization now called Unite America, which is dedicated to re-empowering America's political center.
Founder and Co-Chair of Unite America
Unite America is a political organization dedicated to bridging the growing partisan divide and fostering a more representative and functional government.
From debt ceiling standoffs to single-digit Congress approval ratings, America’s political system has never been more polarized—or paralyzed—than it is today. Unite America grew out of Wheelan’s 2013 book The Centrist Manifesto.
Unite America invests resources in state-level nonpartisan reforms such as ranked choice voting and independent redistricting. We also work to elect Unity Candidates--Republicans and Democrats, and Independents--who pledge to work across the aisle to facilitate better governance.
Unite America has become an anchor in the larger nonpartisan reform space: Voters First.
Order the Centrist Manifesto! Visit the site!Book Recommendations
Reforming our political system is one of the most important challenges of our time. Here are several books that offer a path forward.
The Righteous Mind
by Jonathan Haidt
This is the best book I’ve read on why conservatives and liberals see the world differently.
Order the book
The Politics Industry
by Katherine Gehl and Michael Porter
This book offers a brilliant exploration of how the two political parties have co-opted our system and precluded healthy political competition.
Order the book
Contract to Unite America
by Neal Simon
This book offers specific ideas for how systemic reforms can help unify the country and improve our capacity to govern.
Order the book
A Declaration of Independents
by Greg Orman
Orman ran in Kansas for the U.S. Senate and also for governor. He describes that challenge and the role that independents can play in breaking the stranglehold of the two-party “duopoly.”
Order the book
