Quentin Wathum-Ocama is a lifelong resident of Saint Paul and a proud fourth-generation Minnesotan. He currently serves as Outreach Officer for the Minnesota DFL, where he works to build meaningful relationships with communities across the state, strengthen local organizing efforts, and expand the Party’s commitment to inclusion and grassroots power.
Quentin has spent his entire adult life organizing for Democratic values. His political journey began in 2008 when he interned for Barack Obama’s historic presidential campaign. Since then, he has worked professionally in electoral politics in Minnesota and Ohio for nearly a decade, managed field programs for the Planned Parenthood Minnesota Action Fund in 2018 and 2020, and served in various local and national leadership roles.
Quentin served for nearly a decade on the Executive Committee of the Young Democrats of America and is the longest-serving officer in organizational history. He was ultimately elected President in 2021 and served through 2025. He also served as an executive committee member on the Democratic National Committee during this time.
At the local level, Quentin has served as President of the Minnesota Young DFL and as Outreach Officer for Senate District 64.. He strongly believes in developing lasting organizing infrastructure and ensuring the DFL reflects the full diversity of Minnesota’s communities, not just in values but in practice.
Outside of party work, Quentin is a kindergarten teacher at Maxfield Elementary in Saint Paul and an active member of the Saint Paul Federation of Educators. He brings an educator’s lens to his political work, grounded in daily experiences with children and families navigating under-resourced systems. That perspective informs his belief that the path to change runs through schools, neighborhoods, and relationships, not just campaigns.
Quentin graduated from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, with a Bachelor of Arts in Urban Studies. He graduated from the Youth Development Leadership program at the University of Minnesota’s School of Social Work, where he completed a graduate minor in Public Policy from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs alongside his Master’s in Education. Quentin also earned a Master of Arts in Teaching from Concordia University, Saint Paul. Quentin is married to a fellow educator, Rachel, and together they are proud parents to their daughter, Lucy.
Thanks,
Quentin
