DC Ward 5 Member of the Council Choose 5
Ward 5 Member of the Council of the District of ColumbiaDuties: Represents citizens from Ward 5The Council’s central role is to make laws for D.C. It is also the chief policy-making body for the city. In addition, Councilmembers' responsibilities include oversight of multiple agencies, commissions, boards and other entities of District government and responding to constituents’ concerns. (source: https://dccouncil.us)Term: 4 yearsAnnual Salary: $115,000 (approximately) source: Code of the District of Columbia § 1–611.09
Biographical Information
Campaign Email
bcarmichael2026@gmail.com
Education
University of District of Columbia
Qualifications
Risk Manager
Website
https://carmichael2026.com/
What are your top 2 priorities and how will you accomplish them?
Candidate has not yet responded.
Should DC be admitted to the union as a state? Yes or No? *If yes, what immediate plans should be made, and actions taken, to begin preparing DC for statehood? *If no, what is your plan for achieving full voting rights for DC?
I think DC should be admitted to the union and there should be immediate plans to draft a robust state constitution to ensure DC has strong foundation
How do you propose to increase housing for our most vulnerable residents?
I plan to advocate for the development of workforce housing, more affordable dwelling units and transitional homes for returning citizens and vulnerable residents. I would like convert blighted property with sustainable homes
What do you see as the root causes of crime in DC? What policies would you propose to address the issues?
I propose an investment in employment opportunities for citizens from vulnerable populations and investments in community policing and community mediation programs to de-escalate conflict.
What are your ideas for improving outcomes for youth in the justice system?
I will propose large investments in workforce development for incarcerated youth. I will also propose job placement opportunities and investments in transitional housing to ensure youth have a great opportunity to rebuild their lives
Is it important to use this job to protect our rights and keep Congress and the President out of our local government business?
Very unimportant
Somewhat unimportant
Neither important nor unimportant
Somewhat important
Very important
What are four things you will do to help DC residents now in prison and those who are returning home?
I will fight for safety equity and workforce development for incarcerated residents and ensure rehabilitative services are properly administered during and after incarceration. I will also ensure mental health and family support services are provided for residents,. Housing is a major issue and I will propose funding for transitional housing vouchers to ensure newly released residents have safe housing
Biographical Information
What are your top 2 priorities and how will you accomplish them?
Candidate has not yet responded.
Should DC be admitted to the union as a state? Yes or No? *If yes, what immediate plans should be made, and actions taken, to begin preparing DC for statehood? *If no, what is your plan for achieving full voting rights for DC?
Candidate has not yet responded.
How do you propose to increase housing for our most vulnerable residents?
Candidate has not yet responded.
What do you see as the root causes of crime in DC? What policies would you propose to address the issues?
Candidate has not yet responded.
What are your ideas for improving outcomes for youth in the justice system?
Candidate has not yet responded.
Is it important to use this job to protect our rights and keep Congress and the President out of our local government business?
Candidate has not yet responded.
What are four things you will do to help DC residents now in prison and those who are returning home?
Candidate has not yet responded.
Biographical Information
Campaign Email
contact@zacharyparker2026.com
Education
B.S. Communication Sciences and Disorders/ M.A. Education Leadership and Policy
Qualifications
Ward 5 Councilmember
Campaign YouTube URL
http://www.instagram.com/zacharyparkerfordc/
Website
www.zacharyparker2026.com
What are your top 2 priorities and how will you accomplish them?
My top priorities are making Ward 5 more affordable and strengthening opportunities for youth. I will continue fighting to expand deeply affordable housing, strengthen rental assistance, and lower everyday costs like childcare and utilities so families can stay and thrive in the District. This is work I've led on the Council.
For our youth, I will work to improve attendance, invest in school facilities and support systems, and expand career pathways and out-of-school programs. By stabilizing families and investing in young people, we can build a Ward 5 where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.
Should DC be admitted to the union as a state? Yes or No? *If yes, what immediate plans should be made, and actions taken, to begin preparing DC for statehood? *If no, what is your plan for achieving full voting rights for DC?
Absolutely, yes. DC Statehood is the District's North Star and it is essential we correct the centuries-long injustice of taxation without representation. More than anything, we need a strong public education campaign in all 50 states to build support. It would be great to see this embedded as a real component of the National Democratic Party. At the same time, we must keep pushing Congress to act while protecting Home Rule so DC residents have a stronger voice now and are ready for statehood. This is work I've done as my colleagues and I fight back against congressional interference.
How do you propose to increase housing for our most vulnerable residents?
I would prioritize supply-side reforms like increasing density near transit, streamlining permitting, activating public land for mixed-income housing, and improving the Housing Production Trust Fund. On the demand side, I would expand rental assistance like ERAP and targeted vouchers for vulnerable populations through tools like the District’s Local Rent Supplement Program.
These policies increase overall supply while ensuring deeply affordable housing is built and protected, reducing pressure on rents across the market. By pairing growth with targeted subsidies and stronger tenant protections, we expand access without concentrating displacement in specific neighborhoods.
What do you see as the root causes of crime in DC? What policies would you propose to address the issues?
The root causes of crime in DC are unmet basic needs, untreated mental health and trauma, and gaps in education and opportunity.
We must invest in prevention: expand affordable housing—I’ve delivered hundreds of units in Ward 5—and create job pathways, which I've delivered by securing hundreds of union, good-paying jobs through the RFK deal and expanding pre-apprenticeship pathways at DYRS for incarcerated youth. We also need to expand access to mental health and trauma-informed care in our communities.
What are your ideas for improving outcomes for youth in the justice system?
As Chair of the Council’s Committee on Youth Affairs, my top priority is supporting youth rehabilitation and driving down recidivism. We’ve taken real steps to end harmful isolation practices and expanding services that actually support young people, including education and pre-apprenticeship programs.
We’re seeing progress, with youth population numbers trending downward. But we know the work doesn’t stop there. Our approach is rooted in prevention, rehabilitation, and strong re-entry support. That means investing in mental health care, education, and job pathways while young people are in the system, and making sure they have stable housing, continued education, and employment opportunities when they exit detention.
Is it important to use this job to protect our rights and keep Congress and the President out of our local government business?
Very unimportant
Somewhat unimportant
Neither important nor unimportant
Somewhat important
Very important
What are four things you will do to help DC residents now in prison and those who are returning home?
Provide strong re-entry support: Make sure returning residents have access to housing, jobs, healthcare, and case management from day one so they can get back on their feet.
Expand education and job training: Increase access to GED programs, college courses, and career pathways that lead to stable, good-paying jobs.
Improve support while incarcerated: Work with federal partners to expand education, mental health services, and re-entry planning before release.
Remove barriers to success: Make it easier to get hired, find housing, and access benefits by advancing fair-chance hiring and record-sealing policies.
Biographical Information
Education
George Washingto
What are your top 2 priorities and how will you accomplish them?
Our formulas for qualifying for housing leave too many units vacant. Simplify the formulas vs having vacant space in the newly built housing.
Should DC be admitted to the union as a state? Yes or No? *If yes, what immediate plans should be made, and actions taken, to begin preparing DC for statehood? *If no, what is your plan for achieving full voting rights for DC?
yes, We already have a constitution and plans are available to implement.
How do you propose to increase housing for our most vulnerable residents?
Change the formula, so more low and moderate income residents qualify.
What do you see as the root causes of crime in DC? What policies would you propose to address the issues?
No intergenerational activities, with our youth. The senior villages should have a intergenerational component.
What are your ideas for improving outcomes for youth in the justice system?
Work with youth before they get into the justice system. They often cry out and are ignored.
Is it important to use this job to protect our rights and keep Congress and the President out of our local government business?
Very unimportant
Somewhat unimportant
Neither important nor unimportant
Somewhat important
Very important
What are four things you will do to help DC residents now in prison and those who are returning home?
Train them in meaningful jobs while incarcerated.
Teach them early child development to change parenting skills.
Protect them from unsafe conditions we ignore.
Let them earn wages to send home to families.