Republican Joe Rockey has picked up another endorsement in his quest to become Allegheny County Executive.

The Forward Party, an emerging centrist political group led by former Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang, backed the former PNC executive for the position on Thursday.

The group has also endorsed District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr., a lifelong Democrat who is running as the GOP nominee, for reelection.

“Joe Rockey’s platform focuses on real solutions to pressing problems in Allegheny County, including public safety, jobs, and tax reform, and aligns with the ethos at the heart of the Forward Party,” Yang said. “He’s a voice of moderation in a county that has seen increasing problems driven by politicians who are more interested in scoring partisan points than serving the people of Pennsylvania’s second largest county.”

The Forward Party, launched in 2021, is the latest third-party group meant to offer an alternative to voters. Some of the group’s main priorities include election reforms like nonpartisan primaries and creating independent redistricting commissions. Despite the group’s interest in multiple Allegheny County races, it has not met the state’s requirements to be an official political party.

Rockey was joined by Yang, as well as former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett and other union leaders for the announcement.

Rockey faces Democratic nominee Sara Innamorato in the November general election.

I was honored to receive the endorsement of @AndrewYang’s @Fwd_Party today.

This endorsement embodies what our campaign stands for—moving Allegheny County forward, together. #ForwardParty #PAfwd#VoteRockey #FightingForAllOfUs pic.twitter.com/8jW03vUB7n

— Joe Rockey (@VoteRockey) September 21, 2023