Our yearly convention resulted in the creation of two new Steering Committee positions. The declared candidates are as follows:
- Media Officer: Brenna Thompson, Devon Rubin
- Contingent Steering Committee Officer: Jesse, Julie, Gus Smith, Angie Wilson
Below are the statements which have been submitted by the candidates. This post will be updated with any new statements or new candidates.
Media Officer Candidates
Devon Ste Marie Rubin (they/she)
Are you a member of any DSA caucuses? If so, which?
I am a Groundwork Supporter! (not a full member)
Are you a member or employee of any other political or labor organizations? If so, please list them and your position within them.
I am not a member or employee of any other political or labor organization.
What is your DSA story? (What made you a socialist and why did you join DSA)
I didn’t know the word for it when I was a teenager, but I think I’ve been a socialist for that long – I could partially credit ‘A People’s History of the United States’ by Howard Zinn, but I’ve always felt righteously about injustice. I am a socialist because I think people should be more important than profit. In 2016, I learned the term “Democratic Socialist” thanks to Bernie Sanders, and I’ve been on the train since then! I officially became a DSA member in 2023, and in 2025 I was thrilled to get an email about a local chapter starting up. That marked the beginning of my real involvement 🙂
What is your vision for Sonoma County DSA?
I see SoCo DSA as becoming a real force for progressive change and excellent community hub in Sonoma County. I have never been part of such an energized group who want to build a better world for everyone, and who are motivated to take steps, no matter how small, to achieve that. I think we can put Sonoma County on the map of political Power for the People. I also am extremely invested in cultivating a nurturing community, and I only see that getting better!
What would you like to accomplish in your leadership role?
I would hope to accomplish a cohesive and striking visual identity for our chapter, and really make us a household name in the county. I am also heavily invested in maintaining our kind and welcoming culture that we have worked hard to foster, and I want to help empower our members in any way I can. I believe being kind is the key to success.
What do you think Sonoma County DSA has done well, and what do you think needs improvement?
We have made strides in every aspect of our small corner of the DSA! Our outreach, our protests and rallies, our educational opportunities, our mutual aid committee– these are all things I am extremely proud of as a member. As for improvement, I believe we need to continue building strong connections with our allied organizations, because we are stronger together and should be able to rely on each other in times of hardship.
What do you think Sonoma County DSA should prioritize in the next year?
I would like for us to prioritize getting involved with and helping out the Latinx community, because it’s not a movement if you don’t have the masses involved, and if you don’t care for the masses you won’t have a movement. It is important to me, and our cadre membership, that we show up and involve our Latinx neighbors in our action – and our relaxation!
Describe any additional qualifications, skills, perspective, or experience you would bring to this position.
I have a deep understanding of our SoCo DSA Chapter because I have been around for the majority of it’s existence, and I have chosen to take an outward facing role in a lot of instances because I really enjoy interfacing with people! I’ve tabled at several of our events and rallies, I am currently running our chapter’s Instagram, and I also happen to have designed our chapter’s logo! I’ve been a visual artist my entire life, and when I had the chance to help make something professional looking, I jumped on it. I was thrilled when my design won the vote, and that created our chapter mascot: Rosa! I think my aesthetic eye is one of my greatest skills, and its extremely fulfilling to be able to put it to good use for what we do!
What is a fun fact about you unrelated to your political work?
I have five tattoos (and counting), and I am working on becoming a professional tattoo artist!
If a member has questions about your candidacy, how should they reach out to you?
You can reach out to me through my Instagram @devonrubinart, or my email: devonrubin.contact@gmail.com!
Brenna Thompson (any)
Are you a member of any DSA caucuses? If so, which?
I’m Groundwork-curious, but presently unaffiliated!
Are you a member or employee of any other political or labor organizations? If so, please list them and your position within them.
I’ve recently started volunteering with Indivisible.
What is your DSA story? (What made you a socialist and why did you join DSA)
I joined DSA earlier this year thanks to my friends Nick, our Membership Coordinator, and Devon, our incredible resident artist. I’d heard them talk about the sense of purpose and drive DSA had given them in such an uncertain time. I didn’t expect the same thing to happen for me so quickly, but it did! I love the community I’ve already found here, and I want to help it grow even more.
I currently volunteer with Indivisible Sonoma County. In college, I was an officer of Lamar Allies, my university’s LGBTQ+ org in deep red Southeast Texas. Before that, I was a member of Petaluma High School’s GSA and volunteered through my church. I was raised Catholic, and I carry the principles of dignity, equality, and service close to my heart, although I left the church when I no longer felt welcome.
DSA makes me feel welcome. I dream of a world where we all feel that way. I dream of a world where our shared struggles are realized and shed together. I dream of a world where solidarity isn’t just a concept, but is made manifest in the ways we show up for each other.
My politics are far-left, unfussy, and grounded in community. I’ve read theory, but no words have resonated with me more than the ending to “Paul Robeson” by Gwendolyn Brooks, our nation’s first Black female Poet Laureate: “[W]e are each other’s / harvest: / we are each other’s / business: / we are each other’s / magnitude and bond.” I believe that. That’s the reason I’m here.
What is your vision for Sonoma County DSA?
To lay down roots through our community, to strengthen it through continuous and intentional mutual aid and social outreach, to build up our numbers and power, and to use that power to leverage progressively greater change in Sonoma County, California, and beyond.
What would you like to accomplish in your leadership role?
To unify and strengthen our social media and Internet presence, to establish a synchronous and proactive posting schedule, to overhaul our website to emphasize events/protests/etc., to improve our SEO, and to advertise ourselves more widely and effectively so more like-minded people can join the cause.
What do you think Sonoma County DSA has done well, and what do you think needs improvement?
As a relative newcomer (and as a new chapter), I’ve been impressed with the amount and scope of events that SoCo DSA puts on; I had no idea our local DSA chapter was so active in the community—and until Devon and Nick mentioned it, I didn’t know we still had one!
That is also my biggest critique: we need to be doing more to get our name out there. Our member growth goals would be easier to hit with physical flyering, local media outreach, in-person networking, a more active and consistent social media presence, and a website that clearly and loudly advertises what we’re doing next and how to get involved.
What do you think Sonoma County DSA should prioritize in the next year?
Getting our name out there in the ways I mentioned above! We’re already doing great work in the community and should continue to prioritize that (especially mutual aid), but great work only goes so far if people don’t hear about it. That’s why I want to help take our online and media presence to the level it deserves.
Describe any additional qualifications, skills, perspective, or experience you would bring to this position.
I already run our Bluesky page and maintain our social media spreadsheet. I have several years of web design experience through school and have helped fix up friends’ websites with a focus on clarity and accessibility. I’m well-versed in WordPress, Wix, and Weebly, and know my way around HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
I also have several years of organizing experience through my university’s LGBTQ+ club, for which I regularly coordinated and advertised our events. I’m meticulous, communicative, and approachable. I am also annoyingly persistent when things need to get done, but I promise I’m nice about it!
What is a fun fact about you unrelated to your political work?
I have a degree in ASL (American Sign Language). No, I won’t teach you how to swear.
If a member has questions about your candidacy, how should they reach out to you?
Call me The National’s 2019 studio album, because I Am Easy To Find. You can reach me on Discord @lavieenbren, by email at lavieenbren@gmail.com, or on Signal (DM me!).
Contingent Steering Committee Officer
Angie Wilson (she/her)
Are you a member of any DSA caucuses? If so, which?
I’m not an official member of any DSA caucuses, but I am a supporter of Groundworks! I appreciate there on the ground personal approach.
Are you a member or employee of any other political or labor organizations? If so, please list them and your position within them.
I’m not apart of any other organizations at the moment.
What is your DSA story? (What made you a socialist and why did you join DSA)
I became a socialist because I was adopted from a poorer teen mom, knowing that the reason I’ve succeeded is because I was blessed to be adopted into a life without struggle. After all, I’ve been given the safety nets to fail is something that has made me passionate to fight for others to have the right to fail. No human should ever give up before they try out of fear they will lose food on the table, their healthcare, or their housing.
What is your vision for Sonoma County DSA?
I hope for a more affordable and comfortable Sonoma County for those who perform our essential services, the people who make the least amount of money are the people who are working 40 hour plus work weeks to keep the lights on.
What would you like to accomplish in your leadership role?
I’d like to have a more hands-on approach to helping in SOCO DSA I hope to grow our base for more working-class, and younger members. I’d also like to help our chapter grow our mutual aid programs.
What do you think Sonoma County DSA has done well, and what do you think needs improvement?
I think that SOCO DSA has done a really good building and maintaining a tight knit but sizable community, and I would like to continue to grow our community. I would just like to continue our growth and be as welcoming as possible with incoming members!
What do you think Sonoma County DSA should prioritize in the next year?
Definitely growing our base and getting more connections within the county. I’d really hope that we can build a strong base so when we run real campaigns, we have the political momentum already built in.
Describe any additional qualifications, skills, perspective, or experience you would bring to this position.
I’m a political science major at the JC, and have been passionate about politics since I was 14. I’ve given speeches at the Women’s March and went to Chicago as a delegate at large with my fellow members, Auggie and Ryan (we miss you Ryan). More importantly to all of that, I grew up around those who struggled, and struggled myself, and I know what it feels like for the world to seem hopeless. I hope that I can bring even more excitement and momentum to SOCO DSA both with our political work, and our community building.
What is a fun fact about you unrelated to your political work?
I’m really into punk music, and you can probably catch me at local shows on the weekends (if i’m not at home playing dress to impress with friends, or out at cold ones).
If a member has questions about your candidacy, how should they reach out to you?
angelawilsonn2005@gmail.com
Julie (she/her)
Are you a member of any DSA caucuses? If so, which?
None.
Are you a member or employee of any other political or labor organizations? If so, please list them and your position within them.
None.
What is your DSA story? (What made you a socialist and why did you join DSA)
As some of you may already know, I became SoCo DSA’s first elected Secretary soon after becoming active locally. I was searching for like-minded community and the power to do something — anything — against rising fascism. Partially volunteered and partially thrust into the workings of organizing, I dedicated myself to the Organizing Committee despite other obligations. I’ve made friends and felt more grounded in my community ever since.
As for socialism, I’ve moved further and further left as I’ve become disillusioned with capitalism and US politics. I’ve been a “paper” member of DSA since about 2018. I’m not theoretical expert, but I’m here on the ground as a big-tent democratic socialist.
What is your vision for Sonoma County DSA?
I would love to see Sonoma County DSA flourish as a major local org that a) supports local marginalized people with mutual aid and b) influences our cities and county into a Leftist stronghold.
What would you like to accomplish in your leadership role?
As a contingent officer, my goal will be to continue the smooth operation of our chapter. This isn’t that far from my goal as former Secretary, only that the role is much reduced. I plan to be an ear to and voice for the membership on any Steering Committee decisions that need further input on a vote.
What do you think Sonoma County DSA has done well, and what do you think needs improvement?
Great: Growth growth growth! Improvement: As has been mentioned at our chapter convention, outreach to other marginalized demographics.
What do you think Sonoma County DSA should prioritize in the next year?
Safety measures for our members and community.
Describe any additional qualifications, skills, perspective, or experience you would bring to this position.
Because I’ve spent 6 months on the former Steering Committee, I’m familiar with our protocol for deliberation and decision-making. I frequently led Steering Committee meetings and took detailed notes.
What is a fun fact about you unrelated to your political work?
I help organize an annual online witchcraft conference by the Critical Thinking Witch Collective. We just celebrated our 5th year!
If a member has questions about your candidacy, how should they reach out to you?
You can always @ me on our discord server, ask me in person, or email me at ivy.chartreuse@gmail.com .
Gus Smith (they/he)
Are you a member of any DSA caucuses? If so, which?
No.
Are you a member or employee of any other political or labor organizations? If so, please list them and your position within them.
No.
What is your DSA story? (What made you a socialist and why did you join DSA)
Capitalism’s self-evident failure as an acceptable economic system made me a socialist. I joined DSA in February of this year as part of a commitment to not wallow in despair without doing anything to advocate for a better future for us all. While I have done individual protesting and advocacy work I believe working in concert with likeminded individuals is necessary to achieve systemic change.
What is your vision for Sonoma County DSA?
That we become an organization that can be depended on in the community as a place of solidarity, action, and growth.
What would you like to accomplish in your leadership role?
I would like to serve as an advocate for mutual aid and the needs of our community in whatever small ways I can.
What do you think Sonoma County DSA has done well, and what do you think needs improvement?
I think we do a good job at making welcoming spaces. I think as we get our legs under us and membership grows, we need more infrastructure in the form of a storage unit and eventually a regular meeting space.
What do you think Sonoma County DSA should prioritize in the next year?
Mutual aid. While we work towards a socialist future we should model what that looks like to the best of our ability.
Describe any additional qualifications, skills, perspective, or experience you would bring to this position.
I’ve worked in frontline customer service in one form or another for 20 years so I have a lot of experience in remaining calm under pressure and being tactful in difficult circumstances. I’m also an artist and writer.
What is a fun fact about you unrelated to your political work?
I’ve run a d&d group more or less weekly for 10 years.
If a member has questions about your candidacy, how should they reach out to you?
I’m not very active on discord but I check my direct messages there once or twice a day. If you see me at a chapter meeting or event please feel free to ask me in person as well.
Jesse (he/him)
Are you a member of any DSA caucuses? If so, which?
No.
Are you a member or employee of any other political or labor organizations? If so, please list them and your position within them.
No. A long time ago I was part of the CFA as an organizer.
What is your DSA story? (What made you a socialist and why did you join DSA)
I became a socialist because I have an intrinsic dislike of injustice, inequity, and the abuse the weak. I was introduced to student activism by my cousin and my political investment has increased over the years as the political situation in the country has continued to deteriorate. The DSA is among the few options that are not captured by typical party politics, capitalist interests, and other malefactors.
What is your vision for Sonoma County DSA?
A political organization that maintains the dignity of working-class people amidst horror.
What would you like to accomplish in your leadership role?
I am running for contingent steering committee officer for the interest applying my talents to the building of the organization. I am long-in-the-tooth about dealing with organizations and I think that I have a passable head on my shoulders about them, although I am not the most personable or charismatic. With that said I think that working as part of a team I an accomplish the organization’s goals and achieve stability and growth in these difficult times. I am not strongly invested in particular views about political tools or certain political questions and consider myself somewhat pragmatic and typically unwilling to commit to much in maximalist positions by virtue of the prevailing political situation. That said, I have certain libertarian-socialist views and consider myself inclined toward substantive industrial democracy and implementation of popular will against the prevailing capitalist system. I have degrees and am college educated (MA, philosophy) with a decade of experience in organizing — although with mixed effectiveness, I suppose.
What do you think Sonoma County DSA has done well, and what do you think needs improvement?
I think the organization has done well to stabilize itself and grow. It seems to demand a coherent action plan to account for the political situation — which I admit is unstable and no fault is assigned.
What do you think Sonoma County DSA should prioritize in the next year?
Basic resources and logistics (typically to aid existing org goals).
Describe any additional qualifications, skills, perspective, or experience you would bring to this position.
I have a graduate degree in philosophy and am well educated, possibly too educated. I used to be a teacher.
What is a fun fact about you unrelated to your political work?
One time I found a cat on the road and thought it was my cat and I buried it. When I got home I found out my cat was very alive.
If a member has questions about your candidacy, how should they reach out to you?
Discord or phone is fine.