Concerned that partisan gridlock was holding our nation back, Howard Konar began writing Common Ground: An Alternative to Partisan Politics in 2014. In place of postures and positions, the book sought to identify basic principles on which majorities of voters across the political spectrum already agree, and to promote policy-based problem solving as a way to decrease political polarization.

Three years later, Konar founded Common Ground Solutions, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to putting the ideas of Common Ground into practice. Common Ground Solutions combined civic education with ongoing opportunities for voters to connect with their elected representatives and other political decision makers. One Common Ground initiative, the Citizen Panel program, surveyed Congressional district voters on subjects such as immigration, health care, and political reform, and then brought voters together with their member of Congress to discuss the results.

Today, Common Ground Solutions has been renamed Civic Genius. Through a suite of civic education materials and deliberative democracy programming, Civic Genius continues to pursue the mission of the book while expanding its reach to new audiences.

Howard Konar has worked as a law partner and real estate developer in his hometown of Rochester, New York for over 40 years. His community work includes serving as a trustee of Monroe Community College and as a board member with organizations advancing education, workforce development, and affordable housing.