Issue #1 | October 2026

Welcome to the first official issue of THE SEWER SOCIALIST! This DSA Fund monthly publication will highlight the incredible unsung work of democratic socialist elected officials across the country. Each issue will spotlight significant policy & governance wins, profile one elected official, and share resources for and about socialists in office. And we’re launching this inaugural issue with a full house:

Why are you a democratic socialist?
Growing up in segregated Chicago and watching my loved ones and neighbors cycle in and out of poverty, prisons, underfunded schools, and low-wage jobs fundamentally shaped my understanding of how capitalism fails working-class communities, especially Black and brown communities. I learned early on that these conditions weren’t simply the result of individual choices, but of a political and economic system designed to concentrate wealth and power in the hands of a few.

I’m a democratic socialist because I believe we need a fundamentally different system, one where working-class people have democratic control over the resources and decisions that shape our lives. We have more than enough resources to ensure everyone has access to housing, healthcare, education, good-paying jobs, and a dignified life. What’s missing isn’t resources, but the political will and organized working-class power to make that vision a reality.

For me, democratic socialism isn’t just about what we’re fighting against. It’s about building a society where the people and communities I grew up with have the power, resources, and freedom to truly thrive.

What are you most proud of from this past year in office?
I’m most proud of continuing to demonstrate that socialist elected officials can use the power of our offices to deliver meaningful material improvements for working-class people while challenging the political establishment.

One of our biggest victories was effectively killing a proposed $40 million “Cop City” project and redirecting its funding toward investments that actually make our streets safer, including protected bike lanes, ADA-accessible ramps, and traffic-calming infrastructure. This was a major example of challenging the status quo and prioritizing community needs over expanding policing infrastructure.

From securing emergency rental assistance for residents impacted by federal immigration enforcement to advancing protections for workers threatened by Big Tech and automation, we’ve continued pushing the boundaries of what’s politically possible. I’m especially proud that we’ve done this while refusing to abandon our principles or accept austerity as inevitable.

What’s a piece of advice you have for socialists taking office for the first time this year?
Never forget that the power that got you elected exists outside of City Hall. Elected office is a tool for building working-class power, not an end in itself. Institutions will pressure you to compromise your values, prioritize relationships with political insiders, and confuse access to power with actually exercising it.

Build strong relationships with organizers, stay accountable to your base, learn how to use every tool available to your office, and don’t be afraid to create conflict when it’s necessary to advance the interests of working people.

You weren’t elected to maintain the status quo.

Three things that inspire you.