WASHINGTON — Voting for the general election in November is underway across the District and voters have their eyes on the DC Council and Council at-Large races.
The election will narrow down the candidates to one winner in the race of council chairman and a council member from Wards 1, 3, 5 and 6. In addition, three candidates are vying for the two spots available for Council at-Large.
Before casting your vote in this 2022 election, whether by mail or at the poll, check out this informative list on who you will find on your ballot.
Council Chair
This race features incumbent Phil Mendelson, who is looking to keep his seat. The position takes on the role of a majority leader, working to steer which bills make it onto the agenda for a vote.
Candidates in the race:
- Nate Derenge (Republican) says if he is elected he will ban abortion after 27 weeks, legalize menthols, get rid of licensing requirements for jobs like barbering, and make it easier to obtain a carry and concealed license, among a long list of other promises.
- Phil Mendelson (Democrat) is running for re-election. His campaign site says he has helped deliver major progressive victories for D.C. - such as establishing universal paid leave and investing in pay raises for early childhood educators. He hopes to continue delivering on progressive values if reelected.
- Darryl L.C. Moch (D.C. Statehood Green) says his advocacy work is rooted in social justice, equality, and quality of life issues for African-American/People of Color and minority communities, children, youth, families, LGBTQ constituencies, people living with mental and physical challenges, the homeless, as well as HIV/AIDS and other issues facing communities most disenfranchised by political policies and laws.
At-Large
Two candidates can be selected in this race.
- Elissa Silverman (Independent) is running for re-election and is focusing on making the District and its government accountable, responsive, and accessible to residents through her work as a budget analyst, reporter, and progressive reformer. She says she uses those skills while in her council position.
- Karim D. Marshall (Independent) "decided to run for DC Council At-Large in order to build a better DC for my daughter, and I'm ready to get to work," he said in a Twitter post. "We deserve a District where everyone thrives, not just survives."
- Fred E. Hill (Independent) is a lifelong Democrat, that is running as an independent to ensure that he has access to meaningful dialogue from all points of view. “I am a truly unbiased community servant,” he says.
- Kenyan McDuffie (Independent), who has been with the council for 10 years, has helped to author into law some significant policies in the District, including public safety, affordable housing, racial equity and economic development, according to his website.
- Anita Bonds (Democrat) is running for re-election and has used her platform to vocalize the need to improve the District’s public-school system, expand violence prevention initiatives, and promote the idea of 'good government.'
- David Schwartzman (D.C. Statehood Green)*
- Graham McLaughlin (Independent) says opportunity and accountability will be at the center of his approach whether he is implementing solutions to rebuild public safety, fix our affordable housing crisis, or create an environment where small businesses can thrive.
- Giuseppe Niosi (Republican) says his mission is to bring Checks and Balances to the DC Council through public safety initiatives, fiscal responsibility, and better education.
- Chris Otten (D.C. Statehood Green) plans to be a champion for affordable housing, ending homelessness, and he wants to fill community service gaps with health clinics and community centers.
- Brianne K. Nadeau (Democrat) is running for re-election with her platform highlighting the importance of safe, strong communities with access to affordable housing and good education.
- Matthew Frumin (Democrat) says he plans to focus on initiatives to support schools and address overcrowding, ensure public safety, and increase affordable housing.
- David Krucoff (Republican) says he is running for council to provide Ward 3 with responsive representation that emphasizes with needs and prioritizes timely growth rather than the growth of D.C.’s government.
- Adrian Salsgiver (Libertarian) says he is not in favor of bike lanes, 25 MPH speed limits or 'brutal, violent' police state surveillance cameras on Connecticut Avenue, according to his campaign site. He also states that the D.C. Immunization Attendance Policy is child abuse.
- Zachary Parker (Democrat) is an educator that was elected in 2018 by Ward 5 to serve as a representative on the D.C. State Board of Education.
- Clarence Lee, Jr. (Republican)*
- Charles Allen (Democrat) is running for a third term. According to his website, his Vision Zero law, passed in 2020, and 'will force long-sought improvements to make streets safe for pedestrians, bicycles, bus riders, and drivers.'
Ward 1
- Chris Otten (D.C. Statehood Green) plans to be a champion for affordable housing, ending homelessness, and wants to fill community service gaps with health clinics and community centers.
- Brianne K. Nadeau (Democrat) says she is advocating for all families to have safe and strong communities with access to affordable housing and good education.
Ward 3
- Matthew Frumin (Democrat) says he plans to focus initiatives to support schools and address overcrowding, ensure public safety, and increase affordable housing.
- David Krucoff (Republican) says he is running for council to provide Ward 3 with responsive representation that emphasizes with needs and prioritizes timely growth rather than the growth of D.C.’s government.
- Adrian Salsgiver (Libertarian) says he is not in favor of bike lanes, 25 MPH speed limits or 'brutal, violent' police state surveillance cameras on Connecticut Avenue, according to his campaign site. He also states that the D.C. Immunization Attendance Policy is child abuse.
Ward 5
- Zachary Parker (Democrat) is an educator that was elected in 2018 by Ward 5 to serve as a representative on the D.C. State Board of Education.
- Clarence Lee, Jr. (Republican)*
Ward 6
- Charles Allen (Democrat) is running unopposed for reelection. According to his website, his Vision Zero law, passed in 2020, and 'will force long-sought improvements to make streets safe for pedestrians, bicycles, bus riders, and drivers.'
*No information could be found on candidates whose names were italicized throughout the story. If information becomes available, WUSA9 will update those candidate profiles.