In heavily Democratic Washington, the primary election is often treated as the main event. However, on Nov. 3, Democrats will face Republicans, Statehood Green and independent candidates. Voters in four wards will also choose State Board of Education members. The DC Board of Elections (DCBOE) candidate list dated Sept. 4 identifies 23 candidates across offices, excluding the ANC races.
For contests involving three or more candidates, voters may rank them at their option. If no candidate initially has a majority, the last-place candidate is eliminated, and ballots for that candidate are transferred to each voter’s next-ranked choice. Each candidate may only be ranked once.
DC Delegate
In the wake of the retirement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D), the DC Del-egate seat is open for the first time in 35 years. DC At-Large Councilmember Robert White (D) won the June Democratic primary for the position (www.joinrobertwhite.com). White, a former Norton legislative counsel, emphasizes statehood, autonomy and opposi-tion to federal interference. He points to his record on housing and government accountabil-ity on the DC Council.
Republican candidate Denise Rosado (www.rosadoforcongress.com) is an immigration attorney. Stronger public safety policies, greater accountability in District government and increased parental involvement in sex education and gender identity in schools are her core issues, along with affordability, education, Second Amendment protections and cooperation with federal law enforcement.
Statehood Green candidate Kymone Freeman (www.freeman4congress.com) co-founded We Act Radio. He was the Statehood Green 2024 nominee for the same position. With the slogan “No Representation, No Taxes,” he links statehood to racial justice and community self-determination.
Mayor
Ward 4 Councilwoman Janeese Lewis George (D) won the June Democratic primary for mayor (www.janeesefordc.com). She has campaigned on affordability, universal child care, housing and resistance to federal intrusion.
Independent Rhonda Hamilton (www.rhondahamilton4dc.com) is a small-business own-er and mental-health advocate. A longtime commissioner at Advisory Neighborhood Commission 6D, she is known for her public housing advocacy and environmental activ-ism. Hamilton is campaigning for transparent, accountable government and equity.
Statehood Green candidate Robert L. Gross (www.grossformayor.com) is an infor-mation-technology professional and longtime civic activist. His campaign is focused on ed-ucation, public safety and making District government more responsive.
Council Chair
DC Council chair Phil Mendelson (D) is a 14-year incumbent (www.mendelson2026.com). He is running on his record, legislative experience and fiscal prudence.
Republican Abi-Ananiah Prudent (www.prudentforchair.com) has worked in voter out-reach and community organizing. She directs the Concerned Women for America. Her campaign offers a socially conservative alternative.
At-Large Council
In November, voters may select two at-large members. Only one of these positions can be a Democrat under the terms of Home Rule. Last June, voters elected Elissa Silverman (I) to complete the term of At-Large Councilmember Kenyon McDuffie, who resigned to run for mayor. Silverman is now running for a full four-year term. While progressive in outlook, she is also a fiscal hawk known for her meticulous oversight. She also is the author of the city’s paid family leave program.
Democratic candidate Oye Owolewa (www.vote4oye.com) is a pharmacist and outgoing shadow representative. His platform emphasizes housing, education, jobs and stronger DC Council oversight.
Republican candidate Darrell Green (www.darrellgreenfordc.com) is a native Washingto-nian and retired Metropolitan Police Department officer. His campaign is focused on public safety, responsive constituent service and government integrity. Note: he is not the former Washington football player of the same name.
Statehood Green candidate Darryl Moch (www.4thepeople4achange.wordpress.com) is a longtime social-justice advocate, who has worked on housing, homelessness and LGBTQ issues.
Ward 1 Council
Brianne Nadeau is stepping down after three terms. Aparna Raj (Democrat; aparna-fordc.com) is a tenant organizer, union member and former Metro DC Democratic Social-ists chair. She centers affordability and tenant protections. She also supports more housing and free childcare.
Jett James Jasper (Republican; jettjasperfordcward1.com) is an Adams Morgan resident and frequent transit rider. He prioritizes police hiring and public safety. He also proposes tax incentives for businesses filling vacant storefronts.
Jude Crannitch (Statehood Green; statehoodgreensofdc.org) is his party’s Ward 1 nomi-nee. A passionate advocate for community empowerment, Crannitch is committed to ad-vancing DC statehood, strengthening neighborhood representation, and ensuring that every resident has a meaningful voice in shaping the future of the District. He champions wage justice and green democracy.
Ryan Prince (Independent; ryanprincefordccouncil.com) is running for the open Ward 1 Council seat. He calls for safer streets and sidewalks, enforcement of the youth curfew and what he describes as common-sense public safety measures. He also proposes making it easier to build housing and keep businesses open, arguing that both would help lower rents.
Ward 6 Council Race
Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen (www.charlesallen2026.com) won a three-way Democratic primary after surviving a 2024 recall effort. Allen has represented Ward 6 since 2015. The chair of the DC Council’s Transportation Committee, Allen touts his constituent services, safer streets and neighborhood investments such as the renovated Southeast and Southwest libraries. He was also the author of the well-regarded “Books from Birth” pro-gram.
Republican Candidate Jorge Rice (www.jorgericeforward6.com) is a lawyer with signifi-cant conflict-resolution experience. He is campaigning on equality and accountable gov-ernment.
Attorney General
Incumbent Brian Schwalb (D) (www.brianfordc.com) is seeking a second term as the District’s independently elected attorney general. He is running on his record of consumer protection, housing and wage enforcement, juvenile justice and defense of DC autonomy. Schwalb has also used the office to challenge federal actions affecting the District. Defend-ing the rule of law and Home Rule are central elements of his campaign.
Republican candidate Manuel Rivera (www.riverafordc.com) is a small-business owner and attorney with nearly 40 years of legal experience. His practice includes immigration, workers’ rights and family law. The attorney general should place greater emphasis on pub-lic safety, corruption and assistance for crime victims, he believes.
The Shadow Delegation
Incumbent Democrat Paul Strauss (www.paulstrauss.org) has served as a shadow senator since 1997. The attorney and former ANC commissioner has promoted statehood through congressional advocacy and campaigns aimed at attracting national and international atten-tion. The office should build outside support for admitting DC as the 51st state, he argues.
Republican Robert “Rob” Simmons (www.robert4senate.com) is running for shadow senator. Simmons would push for congressional representation while bringing a Republi-can perspective to the delegation. His campaign emphasizes public safety, fiscal accounta-bility and federal cooperation.
Democrat Franklin Garcia (www.fgarciadc.com) served as shadow representative from 2015 through 2021. The DC Latino Caucus founder is now running to be Shadow Repre-sentative, a position formerly held by Owolewa.
Republican Ciprian Ivanof (www.ivanof4dc.com) is making a second run to be Shadow Representative. The shadow delegation should scrutinize District management rather than simply advocate for statehood. The attorney and former Army National Guard member em-phasizes public safety, education, WMATA and the city’s financial outlook.
INITIATIVE MEASURE NO. 86, The Prohibiting Force-Feeding of Birds Act of 2026.
Voters can approve or reject Initiative 86 on the ballot. If enacted, this Initiative would: Prohibit any person from force-feeding a bird for the purpose of enlarging the bird’s liver beyond normal size. It would also ban the sale or distribution of any product resulting from force-feeding a bird, including foie gras. If the initiative becomes law, it would be enforced by the Department of Energy and Environment during routine food safety inspections with civil penalties to be written into law.
Election Dates
The election calendar tentatively starts mail-ballot distribution Sept. 28. Early voting runs Oct. 26 through Nov. 1, from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Election Day voting is Nov. 3, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Voters in line at 8 p.m. may cast a ballot.
