Si Gerson, expelled from City College of New York for leading anti-ROTC activities, became a prominent figure in the Communist Party USA. He held various roles, including city hall correspondent and city editor of the Daily Worker. Gerson made history as the first Communist to hold an appointed office in New York City, serving as a confidential examiner for a Manhattan Borough President-elect. He later managed presidential campaigns for Gus Hall and advocated for electoral reforms such as proportional representation and instant runoff voting.

Si Gerson's political identity is marked by a steadfast commitment to leftist principles, particularly within the Communist Party USA. His advocacy for proportional representation and instant runoff voting reveals an ideological agility, blending traditional leftist goals with innovative electoral reforms. Gerson's unique stance on these issues, coupled with his strategic role in managing presidential campaigns, showcases a calculated approach to achieving progressive outcomes. His life and career highlight a tension between his radical ideological roots and his pragmatic electoral strategies.