Theron grew up in rural western Pennsylvania in Lawrence County. He has been a Pittsburgh resident for the past decade, where he works at the University of Pittsburgh's Center for Vaccine Research. He has contributed to critical biomedical research, whether studying disease prevention for the military or testing potential treatments in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. But Theron’s life extends far beyond the lab, where his passions for peace, social justice, democracy, and environmental wisdom have guided him to over two decades of activism.
While living in Maryland in 2003, he joined Washington, D.C.-based anti-war and anti-racism movements, in the face of immense opposition at that time. Since then, his dedication has only grown, and he has continuously devoted himself to activism ranging from labor unionization to protecting religious freedom. As a member of two unions (the I.W.W. and the nascent Pitt Staff union with USW) he knows that we are stronger when we come together.
Now, as a member of the Allegheny County Green Party, Theron stands up for causes that make our county and our world better than we found them. Having experienced housing and financial insecurity himself, he seeks to reduce the cost of housing and increase single-family home ownership by restricting the out-of-state investment firms attempting to buy our neighborhoods. As a scientist, he understands the need to address the root causes of crime and poor health outcomes, like environmental racism and socioeconomic disparities. As a bus commuter who has lived on a farm, in the suburbs, and in the city, he will fight for critical funding for our public transit system. And with his unwavering activist spirit, he will champion civilian first responder networks to address conflict without armed police.
Theron asks: how can Allegheny County help members of the community support each other? The only way forward is together.