Core Team Members

Jonathan H. Martin is a Professor of Sociology at Framingham State University. He is the editor of and a contributor to the book Empowering Progressive Third Parties in the United States (Routledge); author of various articles on left politics, and a longtime progressive third party activist. He lives in Somerville, Massachusetts.

“Uniquely among national political groups, Progressive Party Builders focuses sharply on how to build a successful progressive third party."

Lynette McClain is a retired educator from Longmont, Colorado. She has been a long-term progressive activist for local and national political causes and issues. She co-founded the Colorado for Bernie  movement in mid-2015 and served as the Northeast Colorado Field Organizer for the Bernie Sanders campaign in 2016.

“We need a progressive party for the majority of the US citizens who want to save our world from climate change, provide basic human rights for all, and seek truth and justice in government.”

Peter Leighton is a retired Chiropractor, Chef, and Tech Support Service Person. He is currently an Author & Novelist living  in Los Angeles. He worked on texting for Bernie's campaigns since 2015. 

"I see Progressive Politics as part of my spiritual practices and service. It is a way to manifest the greatest good for the greatest number of people, and PPB has that as its intention." 

Sarah Miller is a Navy veteran pursuing undergraduate studies. She formerly volunteered with Democrat campaigns, has been a community organizer, volunteered with organizations centered around cancer survivors and remembrances, veteran and military affiliated, and Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA).

"There have been missed opportunities for a third party to enter the political forum. Progressive Party Builders is fostering a way for third party and Independent candidates to create an embracive party that will lead us forward."  

Rodney Latstetter is a retired Information Systems Administrator with 35 years in the Healthcare Industry from Caledonia, Illinois. He has been an activist for Progressives, #MedicareForAll and other major political issues. He is a social media specialist and was involved in opening a grassroots Bernie Sanders office in 2020 and worked in the 2016 Sanders campaign.

"We in PPB have moved past the two dominant parties in America, as that experiment has failed. Until Americans have more choices the environment in Washington will not change."

Nowell Bjerkaas is a bartender, ex-rockabilly, and Transcendentalist.  He has experience in community organizing, municipal historic preservation policy, and neighborhood group activism. 

 "Local and state politics are more important than ever, and offer the best hope for progressive successes in this moment.  The systemic analysis, compassion and vision the Left uniquely offers can, and must, provide material solutions that invigorate a disempowered populace."