A New Approach to Civic Engagement

As the nation navigates a highly polarized election year, a new nonprofit organization called The Nevada Forum is officially launching this Thursday. The group aims to build civic infrastructure that encourages bipartisan cooperation, moving beyond the typical partisan gridlock.

The initiative is spearheaded by American actor and entrepreneur Andrew Shue, who previously co-founded the nonprofit DoSomething. The project seeks to identify systemic problems and generate legislative solutions that hold broad public support, starting with a fundamental question: “If Nevada’s state leaders and residents could solve one problem, what should it be?”

From Conflict to Consensus

The concept for the forum originated about a decade ago when Shue observed a decline in the country’s ability to address major issues through a bipartisan lens. Over several years, Shue collaborated with GOP pollster Frank Luntz to conduct focus groups across 10 states. While these sessions often began with heated arguments, they consistently concluded on a hopeful note, proving that individuals are willing to engage with opposing perspectives to find common ground.

The Nevada Forum will operate on a four-phase timeline:

  • Launch: Introducing the initiative to the public.
  • Ideation: Gathering resident ideas via an online platform.
  • Collaboration: Working with experts, lawmakers, and citizens on potential solutions.
  • Proposal: Convening a representative group of 50-100 Nevadans to draft legislation for the 2027 session.

The ultimate goal is to produce a “pragmatic” agenda backed by more than 70 percent of Nevadans.

Leadership and Local Impact

The effort is co-chaired by former Clark County Democratic Party chair Chris Miller and prominent Republican Greg Bailor. Both leaders emphasize that the project does not require participants to abandon their political identities, but rather to bring those perspectives into a collaborative environment.

“The country has no shortage of problems to solve, and I think this is such a unique opportunity for a large number of Nevadans from all over the state to have a new way to have their voice heard,” said Bailor. Miller added that the forum provides a vital opportunity for residents to build relationships across the aisle, noting that learning to understand the perspectives of others is a key benefit of the process.

While initial funding has come from Shue’s social and entrepreneurial circle, the organization intends for the project to be sustained by local support. By focusing on early primary states, organizers hope the Nevada experiment will serve as a model for other regions to adopt similar civic infrastructure.