Passage from the article:
It should also be stated: The times cry out for Communist candidates. The CPUSA simply cannot fulfill its role as a political party without running for office. The focus should be on standing for local office. Such campaigns should aim to build broad community-based electoral coalitions. In this regard, the standard should not be set so high that campaigns are never undertaken.
The times also cry out for building a mass Young Communist League. And here again the CPUSA cannot fulfill its mission without the militancy, stamina and energy of the young generation. The socialist moment of the last period is largely a youth-led-and-energized moment and for good reason. The young generation are most affected by the capitalist crisis – they are its first casualties but also the first to fight against it.
The 31st convention recommitted itself to the goal of refounding the YCL and that commitment remains. YCL clubs are continuing to spring up around the country in communities and on campuses. A few have multiple campus clubs. Consolidating a communist core in the youth movement remains the goal. Its achievement requires moral, political and ideological support. It also demands material assistance.
Overall, the party’s rebuilding process continues apace. Solid political, organizational, and ideological foundations are being laid. Weaknesses are being corrected and overcome. Throughout the party, collective practices are being adopted with the understanding that the CPUSA has one leadership united in its National Committee, one political program, The Road to Socialism, and one ideology, Marxism-Leninism.
In Virginia, we're trying to run our own candidates.
What would a communist city councilor or mayor be able to accomplish?
Probably has some ability to set priorities of police, so, less violence towards the unhoused or panhandlers.
Setting up local public transit seems to be in the purview of local councils/mayors.
Using city funds to buy up delinquent mortgages, or taking ownership over houses from owners who haven't paid their property taxes, turning the homes into "public" housing instead of rented homes. Making sure the elderly or disabled aren't evicted if they can't afford "market rate rents/mortgage payments", being more able to demolish/rebuild condemned buildings and replacing them with livable homes than private citizens who wanted to have "passive income"... just off the top of my head.
We've had them before. Quite a bit and, the more you put up there, the better.