Rustin Knudtson

Rustin Knudtson is a data engineer and progressive candidate running for Congress in California’s 36th District. He grew up in Ohio and has lived in Los Angeles for over 20 years. With more than a decade of experience building data infrastructure, analytics platforms, and machine learning systems, he understands from the inside how unchecked corporate and AI power can reshape society in ways that harm working people. He also fosters animals and works with rescue organizations because he believes in limiting suffering as much as possible.

Knudtson is a DSA member running to primary incumbent Ted Lieu. His platform covers a range of critical issues — some of the most urgent are impeaching Trump, removing members of his regime, and pursuing accountability after they leave office. We need to curb executive overreach now, before it’s too late.

Knudtson believes that this moment in American history demands people in office who are willing to fight without hedging, and that CA-36 deserves a representative who actually means it.