District C voters in Iowa City can vote for Oliver in the special election primary starting Jan. 15, 2025. The last day to vote in the primary is Feb. 4.
Oliver Weilein has spent a decade advocating for housing as a human right in Iowa City.
He’s organized tenants to stand up to abusive landlords, fundraised for permanent supportive housing and provided critical supplies to unhoused residents on the ground locally.
Oliver, 30, works in client support at Systems Unlimited caring for community members with intellectual disabilities, serves on the board of Public Space One and volunteers as a frontline advocate at the Emma Goldman Clinic.
He’s running in the District C special election, with a February 4, 2025, primary, to bring this priority to the Iowa City Council. While campaigns cost money, Oliver is funding his own run.
A fierce advocate for Iowa City's underserved population, Oliver asks that you send any campaign donations to the Emma Goldman Clinic, Shelter House, Immigrant Welcome Network, Iowa Trans Mutual Aid and Prairielands Freedom Fund.
Why the Community Supports Oliver Weilein for Iowa City Council
“Oliver Weilein is that rare combination of a deep, holistic thinker and a doer. He’s not afraid to dig in on difficult ‘yes, and’ conversations. Oliver will be the informed–and decisive–leader we need to face the current social, political, and environmental crises. What I love most is Oliver’s enthusiasm for this city. He wants every person to feel connected and safe, with opportunities to create joy and find wonder right here at home. Everyone deserves to thrive in Oliver’s Iowa City. ”
Laura Bergus
Councilor, Iowa City
“Over the past decade, Oliver has passionately advocated for affordable housing and tenants’ rights—issues that deeply resonate with me. As a founding board member of the Iowa City Tenants Union, he has fought tirelessly for housing as a human right, demonstrating bold leadership and compassion for those in need. Oliver’s commitment to making Iowa City more equitable and inclusive is inspiring. I am confident he will bring effective leadership to the council and champion the changes our community needs.”
Mazahir Salih
Mayor Pro Tem, Iowa City
“I’ve seen first-hand the dedication he has practiced and lived for compassionate causes. He has worked tirelessly and without recognition to provide for the most needy in our community. Oliver has spearheaded raising donations of coats, hats, gloves, socks, tents, and heating fuel at the onset of winter. He has thought long and hard about practical solutions to the unhoused and sees that there are ways for Iowa City to make meaningful progress. Serving on the city council would give him the opportunity to put these in action. He has the heart, compassion and drive to accomplish something our community needs to make our city more humane and just.”
James Enloe
Professor, Department of Anthropology
“Oliver has been a consistent partner and collaborator who can effectively leverage his network to create opportunities for others. Over the years, I have been impressed by Oliver's ideas, his creativity, his follow-through, and his ability to galvanize support through real action to secure necessary resources for people sleeping outside. Oliver's empathy for, generosity toward, and commitment to helping the most vulnerable people in our community is peerless. What makes Oliver different is his independent ideas, his commitment, and his execution. He can organize a coalition of folks to show up, get excited, and to give what they can to people who need it more than they do.”
Sam Brooks
Street outreach, Homeless services
“Oliver is driven, thoughtful, and selfless. He is sincerely interested in the wellbeing of everyone who calls Iowa City home. The work Oliver has already done for affordable housing is staggering. He cares deeply about strengthening the unions, charities and mutual aid organizations that our community depends on. Oliver works tirelessly for a better Iowa City: one of solidarity, compassion, and justice. As students at Iowa residing in district C we would be proud to have Oliver as our representative.”
YSDA
University of Iowa Chapter
“Oliver fights to ensure that our Greatest Small City of the Arts works for all workers. He is passionate about expanding housing access in Iowa City and goes far beyond naming the problem; he’s one of the few candidates who can name solutions the City could and should take to house our citizens. In office, I’m confident he’ll work tirelessly to reduce systematic violence with community-responsive initiatives to uplift the arts and livability here in Iowa City.”
Nicole Yeager
Chair, COGS UE Local 896 Political Action Committee
“I am impressed by Oliver Weilein’s work in the community and believe he would be an effective addition to the city council. He has made it clear that he understands the importance of mutual aid by organizing multiple fundraisers and resource drives for the underserved and marginalized. He supports and advocates for inclusive arts for all by serving as a board member at Public Space One and is an active member in the local arts community. His commitment to a plant-based diet and his volunteer work at Iowa Farm Sanctuary demonstrate his compassion and concern for all beings. Oliver's experience would bring a new perspective to the council that would help our community better align with its core values.”
Katy Meyer
Owner & Chef, Trumpet Blossom Cafe
“Oliver has demonstrated his commitment to positive change through direct action and organization, the results of which have tangibly benefitted some of the most vulnerable members of our community. He envisions a better future for everyone and is dedicated to doing his part to make it happen.”
Maddie Todd
General Manager, FilmScene
“Oliver Weilein’s commitment to housing justice and community well-being is inspiring. His work with tenants and unhoused neighbors demonstrates his action-oriented dedication to addressing real community needs. I’m excited about his candidacy and the positive change he will bring to Iowa City.”
Mandi Remington
Supervisor, Johnson County
“I’ve gotten to know Oliver over many coffee visits at my cafe and farmers’ market stand. He is kind and easy to talk to, so we've had many chats when he comes to support my business. He is always bringing people from out of town to explore downtown Iowa City, and it is clear he appreciates the small businesses that make it unique! I know he truly cares about Iowa City and its residents, and I look forward to the ideas he brings for the future of our community.”
Molly Kirby
Owner, Kindred Coffee
“Oliver’s track record speaks for itself. His policy proposals are formidable, particularly on the issue of housing, where he centers on tenants’ rights and affordability. Oliver is also an advocate in the truest sense, going out of his way to show up for vulnerable populations when our institutions and systems fail to do so. His focus on building Iowa City around community connection and mutual aid offers a promising alternative to the status quo; this is desirable to students like me who want to see a change in our local politics. Oliver is proof that young voters are not just apathetic and cynical – we simply need the right candidate to get behind.”
Jaden (JB) Bartlett
Former Executive Director,Hawk The Vote
Student, University of Iowa
“Oliver’s background, values and worth ethic will be an important addition to City government, and we’re going to need strong, principled leaders to safeguard our most vulnerable folks from the depredations of both state and federal governments. Having stood sentinel with Oliver at the Emma Goldman Clinic where his is a constant presence, I know he’s ready to do the hard things.”
Jon Green
Supervisor, Johnson County
“Oliver’s dedication to community building is clear in everything he does. Whether he’s working with musicians, supporting unhoused individuals, or championing people with intellectual disabilities, Oliver exemplifies compassion, ethics, and commitment. I have seen firsthand his devotion to justice, whether it’s through his violence-free vegan lifestyle or his willingness to stand up and be vulnerable on the front lines of social issues.
I am confident he will bring an important and much-needed perspective to represent District C.”
John Engelbrecht
Director, Public Space One
Meet Oliver Weilein
Over the last decade, Oliver has been an advocate for housing as a human right in Iowa City. As a founding board member of the Iowa City Tenants Union, he organized tenants to stand up to abusive landlords and succeeded in recouping stolen security deposits, pressuring management to do critical maintenance, helping families fight eviction, even driving through blizzards to deliver space heaters to tenants whose heat went out.
“I’m running because now is the time to meet the moment by fighting for our vulnerable neighbors who are being directly threatened by the state and federal government,” Oliver said. “Iowa City can make real inroads towards affordable housing by addressing zoning policy, building permanent supportive housing and protecting tenants’ rights.”
Oliver serves on the board of directors for Public Space One, an organization that makes art and music accessible to everyone. A punk-rock musician in multiple local bands, Oliver keeps the local music scene active by bringing national and international musicians to play in Iowa City. He frequently organizes community benefit shows and events, like fundraising for critical supplies for unhoused residents during winter, and local arts organizations.
Oliver has worked as a caregiver at Systems Unlimited for eight years, directly serving community members with intellectual disabilities in their homes.
He believes that investing in art and culture makes Iowa City a great place to live, providing basic human rights like housing ensures every member of our community can find a place here, and maintaining and expanding transit options strengthens mobility and connection throughout our community.
Oliver volunteers maintaining a clean and comfortable living space for rescued farm animals at the Iowa Farm Sanctuary and as a frontline advocate at Emma Goldman Clinic, where he volunteers by providing support and safety to people seeking medical care.
Oliver lives on the Northside with his partner, Juliette, his cat, Lilith, and his rabbit, Gandalf.