Mid-Missouri DSA is proud to support Spencer Smith for Judge
February 8, 2026: Mid-Missouri DSA is proud to endorse Spencer Smith, a public defender, activist, and proud DSA member, for Associate Judge.
Having served as both a prosecutor and a public defender, Spencer recognizes the harm our criminal justice system can inflict on the most vulnerable in our community. His campaign speaks to the two-tier system of justice that working people in this country contend with, where the rich are treated with rare and restoration, and poor and marginalized with punishment and retribution. As a judge, he will work to address these fundamental inequalities, and has committed to zealously defend due process, equality under the law, and human rights, no matter the political or personal cost.
Spencer is running to fill the Associate Judge seat, beginning with the Democratic Primary in August, followed by a General Election in November. Until election day Mid-Missouri DSA members will be knocking doors across Columbia to make sure people know the stakes in this election. We encourage Boone County residents to join us at the doors and to donate to his campaign!
Vera Elwood: A working people’s champion for Columbia City Council
June 3, 2025: Mid-Missouri DSA is proud to endorse Vera Elwood, a librarian, organizer, and proud DSA member, for Columbia City Council.
Our members were proud to give Vera our first ever candidate endorsement because we know she’ll fight on city council for the people she has fought for in Columbia for years. As a University of Missouri librarian Vera organized with MU Workers United to improve working conditions at Columbia’s largest employer. As chair of Columbia’s Disabilities Commission she has spoken up for people too often ignored by city government. And in her work for the Center Project she has provided support for LGBTQ people as their rights have come under assault on the state and federal level.
Without champions like Vera, we can expect more of the same from City Council: city budgets balanced at the expense of city workers and services for working people and hesitation in the face of state and federal actions that fly in the face of Columbia’s progressive values.
Vera is running to fill the second ward city council seat in a special election on August 5. Until election day Mid-Missouri DSA members will be knocking doors across northeast Columbia to make sure people know the stakes in this election. We encourage Columbians to join us at the doors and donate to her campaign.
Update August 5, 2025: We won!