Posted by Find a running list of resolutions and bylaw/constitutional amendments here.
If you’d like to support our delegates getting to Chicago, please donate here!
Congratulations to our elected delegates and alternate!
- Brian Escobar
- Amber Ruther
- Jermaine Covington
- Eric Cortes-Kopp (alternate)
Candidates (Alphabetical by Last Name):
Hi! My name is Gabriel Bit-Babik (he/him), a student at Hamilton College and co-chair of Hamilton YDSA. I’ve been organizing in DSA since my first year, helping found my college’s chapter and working with students nationwide on key labor campaigns, including the Student Worker Alliance and Red Hot Summer. I’ve also been involved with housing activism in New York, collaborating with Housing Justice for All and the Met Council on Housing to fight for Good Cause and tenant protections. I am deeply passionate about the work Syracuse is doing with housing and labor and hope to represent it at convention!
Hi I’m Eric (he/they). I joined DSA back at the end of 2021 when I unionized my workplace and re-founded Hamilton College YDSA. I currently serve on YDSA Labor Committee and as Syracuse DSA Secretary. I also work at UFCW Local One. I’ve been involved in the local STOP! Coalition, starting the group newsletter, and frequent Mutual Aid meetings.
Although I am relatively new to DSA, I will continue to support the important work being undertaken by YDSA, and help build our labor solidarity & organizing capabilities.
Jermaine Covington has been a member of DSA since 2017 and of the Syracuse chapter since moving here from Tampa in 2021. He has previously served as Vice Chair of the DSA National Tech Committee and as president of the University of South Florida YDSA chapter. Most recently, he has been an active member of the unionization effort among graduate student employees at Syracuse University. In keeping with his tech background, Jermaine aims to further the use of technology within DSA in pursuing an unashamedly socialist political agenda. His favorite color is orange and he makes pretty good muffins.
Brian Escobar: I’ve been involved in leftwing politics since the Occupy Wall Street movement in 2011. Not seeing many ways to learn about socialism locally I started a local socialist reading group in 2014 and worked for and volunteered with the Syracuse Peace Council. I was involved in the local Sanders campaign in 2016, when DSA started to grow exponentially. I co-founded the Syracuse chapter of DSA in 2017. I’ve been a chapter co-chair all but 15 months in that time and since March have been taking a refreshing partial break (I’ve been able to focus more energy on the national organization).
Amber Ruther (they/she) I’ve been in DSA since 2016 – first in NYC-DSA, now in Syracuse DSA. I helped organize for and win the Build Public Renewables Act, which will ensure a just transition to renewable energy built with union labor. I’ve also canvassed for Mo Brown, canvassed with Families for Lead Freedom, and helped organize mutual aid free stores, member socials, and political education discussions around achieving peace in Ukraine and Palestine. As a delegate, I’d support resolutions that strengthen internal democracy and electoral accountability, reform the NPC and NHGO, and support all types of work in DSA – from labor to anti-imperialist organizing.
Image Caption: Amber Ruther (left) and Clayton Terry (right) canvassing for Maurice Brown, a DSA Candidate running for the Onondaga County 15th Legislative District
Syracuse DSA Delegate Election Timeline (Updated May 30, 2023)
- May 21st: Nominations Period Closes
- June 2nd: Deadline to Confirm Candidacy
- June 3rd to June 5th: Election Period Open using Rank Choice Voting
- By June 6th: Announcement of Results
What is the DSA Convention?
The DSA Convention is the highest decision making body in DSA. Every two years, chapters and at-large members elect Delegates to vote on resolutions, make changes to DSA’s national bylaws and constitution, and set the vision for the work that DSA will be doing for the following two years.
The 2023 Convention will run from the morning of Friday, August 4 through the early afternoon of Sunday August 6. Delegates must arrive on Thursday, because Friday will be a full day starting at 9 am.
Why discuss the Convention?
In order to participate in the democratic processes of our organization, it is imperative that chapter leaders communicate to members about the Convention, its role in our work, how to participate, and what will be voted on at the Convention.
Chapter leadership should include information about Convention in general meeting agendas and in chapter communications in the lead up to Convention.
All members in good standing should be afforded the opportunity to run as delegates and give feedback on Convention proposals.
What happens at Convention?
In order to participate in the democratic processes of our organization, it is imperative that chapter leaders communicate to members about the Convention, its role in our work, how to participate, and what will be voted on at the Convention.
Chapter leadership should include information about Convention in general meeting agendas and in chapter communications in the lead up to Convention.
All members in good standing should be afforded the opportunity to run as delegates and give feedback on Convention proposals.
Who attends the Convention?
Delegates are elected to attend the convention. Most Delegates are elected by their chapter’s membership. Others are elected by the at-large membership to represent members who are not currently in a chapter.
Chapters will also elect alternates in case their Delegates cannot make the Convention. Alternates have the opportunity to attend Convention, but they do not vote unless they are filling in for a Delegate from their chapter.
For more detailed information on delegates here.