Education
I’m Janeese Lewis George, the DC Councilmember for Ward 4. I’m the daughter of a union postal worker and a third-generation Washingtonian who was raised in Ward 4. I’m a proud graduate of DC Public Schools (Cuno H. Rudolph Elementary School, Alice Deal Middle School, and School Without Walls) as well as Howard University School of Law.
Qualifications
I have served as a prosecutor, an assistant attorney general (under Karl Racine), a DC School Board member, and am currently the Ward 4 Councilmember.
Website
http://janeesefordc.com/
1) Affordability (especially housing and utility bills)
2) Standing up to Trump
We need a more affordable city. We'll make housing mor accessible and affordable by overhauling zoning, the building code, and the permitting process to allow us to build 72,000 new homes. You can read how we'll do it, how it will help more people afford to stay in DC and why that's all so important here: https://ggwash.org/view/102946/im-running-for-dc-mayor-to-build-more-housing-to-lower-costs
All Washingtonians should be able to afford everyday needs like electricity and other utilities. Read my 10-point plan to make bills more affordable here: https://janeesefordc.com/platform/affordable-utilities-for-all/
I'll keep standing up to Trump as I have been!
Advancing DC Statehood requires real relationships, and I am proud to say that mine are active and proven.
1) I'll continue my work with Democrats in Congress to shore up support. I am the only candidate in the race who has flipped votes in Congress from against DC to having our back.
2) I already work closely with key partners who share the vision for DC Statehood. First, Attorney General Brian Schwalb is using every legal tool to defend DC’s autonomy, and I will collaborate closely with his office.
3) I will also work with DC’s Delegate in Congress and other congressional offices that I’ve formed relationships with during my visits to Capitol Hill.
4) I will work with grassroots organizations like Free DC that are building toward bold acts of noncooperation to defend Home Rule and win Statehood.
As Chair of the Committee on Facilities and Family Services I prioritized funding for the Greener Government Buildings Amendment Act to require all major new or substantially improved DC government buildings to be constructed with net zero energy standards when feasible. My opponent worked for Washington Gas to gut the bill.
The DC Smart Street Lighting Project recently came to Ward 4 and is expected to eliminate 38,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions every year and generate 50% in energy savings. School modernizations are another important way to do this, too. And after advocacy in partnership with residents, WMATA’s Northern Bus Garage in Ward 4 will be home to DC’s first all-electric fleet.
We need to stand up to Trump instead of trying to placate him. I’m a former prosecutor who has experience holding dangerous people accountable.
DC needs to fight back and fight back. How we choose to act now will have a long-term effect on our ability to protect Home Rule and win Statehood.
I’ve been walking the halls of Capitol Hill and working to build a congressional coalition to defend DC’s rights and values, and I will continue to do that as mayor.
I am the only candidate in this race who has succeeded in moving members of Congress to our side. I've done it through meetings, national partners, and more.
I am committed to doing more to improve conditions at the DC Jail. That includes largely banning the use of solitary confinement and improving the abysmal quality of food and replacing the jail with a more humane facility.
I have consistently voted against expanding the presumption of pretrial detention.
There are too many obstacles that prevent returning citizens from successfully reintegrating into the community. Not only does this make their lives harder but also means that the government is missing out on workers who would do a terrific job. I’m committed to being a leader in hiring DC residents who have been justice-involved.
To make the path to employment and housing a little easier, I recently included language in a bill that would streamline criminal record sealing and expungement for returning citizens. I’m hoping to fund this provision in the upcoming budget.
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I will implement a comprehensive public safety strategy that addresses prevention, intervention, and enforcement. It’s an approach I took as Ward 4 Councilmember when addressing crime on Kennedy Street and in Petworth. And it’s the approach I took when I was a prosecutor at the DC Office of the Attorney General. As mayor, the entirety of my government will play a role in public safety, not just one agency.
You can read more here: https://janeesefordc.com/platform/safe-communities-for-all/
DC is a sanctuary city, and I will work to uphold that. Our immigrant neighbors are part of the fabric of our community and play an important role in our economy and all aspects of our city, and have the same right to peace, prosperity, and safety as anyone else. I will work to embrace and defend them.
When the DHS raids started last summer, I joined my community in the streets as a legal observer. I called on the mayor to end DC’s cooperation with DHS and the White House and to introduce a bill that significantly curtails MPD’s cooperation with ICE. My opponent declined to support the bill. He didn't seem to share my outrage at the treatment of our fellow Washingtonians.
Education
Bucknell University (BA Political Science) and The Johns Hopkins University (MBA, Finance)
Qualifications
With over 30 years of experience in business, military service, financial management, I bring private-sector discipline and public-sector mission to his candidacy for Mayor. A former U.S. Army Captain and National Guard veteran, he applies a mission-first, people always, approach to leadership, emphasizing that leaders are trained and created. An MBA in Finance from Johns Hopkins and a successful career in real estate development, business and non-profit consulting have provided him with the technical skills to manage the District’s complex budget and revitalize its neighborhoods. A resident of Dupont Circle for over 22 years, he and his wife raised their two children in the city.
Website
www.goodweatherfordc.com
My top two priorities are public safety and economic opportunity. First, public safety. I would increase police staffing levels to improve neighborhood coverage and response times. I would review laws to close loopholes that make prosecution too difficult or allow repeat offenders to avoid accountability. I would also invest in youth spaces, sports, mentorship, and evening programs. Second, economic opportunity. I would attract businesses, support small businesses, expand workforce training, and grow industries that create jobs. I would improve government efficiency so more resources go toward housing, infrastructure, and affordability.
Yes, I support DC statehood as the ultimate goal because District residents deserve full representation and self-government. But an all-or-nothing approach has stalled for decades. We should move in achievable phases. First, expand home rule, including control of the District of Columbia National Guard, local judges, and other matters now requiring Congress. Second, achieve fiscal independence so DC controls its own budget and revenues. Third, secure full voting rights for DC’s delegate in the United States House of Representatives. After that, the remaining issue is United States Senate representation. We must also grow our economy so DC is ready to stand fully on its own.
To comply with Law 24-176, I would focus on two high-impact steps. First, modernize DC government buildings and fleets by improving energy efficiency, upgrading heating and cooling systems, and transitioning city vehicles to cleaner options where practical and cost-effective. Second, reform government purchasing so city contracts prioritize low-emission vendors, sustainable materials, and waste reduction. My approach would be results-driven: measurable emission cuts, lower operating costs, and cleaner government operations that set the standard for the city.
As mayor, my first responsibility will be to defend the rights of DC residents and protect our ability to govern ourselves. I will be a strong advocate for DC home rule and push back against federal interference whenever it threatens local control. If residents elect leaders and pass local laws, those decisions should be respected. I will build coalitions with community leaders, businesses, and allies nationwide to strengthen support for DC self-governance and representation. I will also run an effective, accountable city government, because the stronger DC is, the harder it is for outsiders to interfere.
First, I will expand job training, apprenticeships, and direct hiring pathways for returning citizens so they can earn a living and support their families. Second, I will strengthen reentry services before and after release, including housing assistance, mental health care, substance abuse treatment, ID access, and case management. Third, I will reduce unnecessary barriers to employment and opportunity by supporting fair chance hiring and reviewing city policies that block licenses or jobs. Fourth, I will invest in education, GED programs, vocational training, counseling, and mentorship for DC residents who are currently incarcerated so they are better prepared to return home successfully.
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Safety occurs long before harm occurs. In Washington, DC, because our justice system is federally managed, it often becomes a political proving ground. When administrations change, D.C.’s local justice policies such as bail reform or youth sentencing. DC's Council and Mayor have not developed effective solutions to 1) create opportunity for all its residents providing pathways to succeed; 2) laws that effectively deal with all types of crime including quality of life crime and 3) operating a city with effective services. Solutions include the creation of the Capital Corps, gaining control over our judicial branch (short term utilizing more administrative judges for workload), and making prison facilities easier to access for visitation.
Yes. Protecting the safety, rights, and access to city services for immigrant communities is the responsibility of elected officials because government must serve all residents. When people are afraid to report crimes, seek medical care, send children to school, or use city services, the whole city is less safe and less effective. Leaders must ensure residents are treated fairly, know their rights, and can access essential services without fear. We can support immigrant communities while maintaining public safety, enforcing laws responsibly, and using city resources effectively.
Education
B.S. Biology, Howard University
Qualifications
11-term, award-winning elected public servant, former D.C. Government and Federal Government employee, interim deputy director
Website
www.electkathyhendersondcmayor.com
My first priority is to ensure ALL D.C. Government agencies are performing as intended, which means the trash is picked up on-time, snow events are handled seamlessly and residents can access the services they need quickly. I will ensure we have the best talent and resources to lead every D.C. agency. I will jointly prioritize public safety, ensuring every resident and visitor is safe. Core agency delivery facilitates public safety and a strong foundation to actualize all of our priorities as a city, including improving educational outcomes and creating more affordable housing. Currently, the city is actually pushing out small landlords that are providing affordable housing opportunities. I will identify support and keep these providers.
Yes, D.C. should be a state. The path forward includes accountability, fiscal solvency and no tolerance for corruption, theft and malfeasance in any D.C. agency.
I will ensure harmful emissions are addressed at the source with enforcement for idling, including zero tolerance for D.C. Government vehicles and all buses. We have a legislative tool we are not using, which would reduce harmful emissions and protect public health.
The best way to protect the District of Columbia from congressional interference is to ensure the D.C. Government is operating lawfully; that means consistently delivering balanced budgets and services. Past malfeasance and corruption have hindered our ability to carve out a strong path to autonomy. As Mayor, I will cultivate positive relationships with Congressional members to promote our interests; DC needs allies in Congress and I am committed to furthering that urgent need.
I will utilize current Mayoral authority over the school system to ensure we actually gain consistently measurable improvement in reading and math scores. Cuba continues to have a higher literacy rate than the District of Columbia, despite our expenditure of approximately $25,000 to $28,000.00 per pupil in our schools. We are not actualizing a reasonable return on our investments. The majority of incarcerated D.C. residents have substantial literacy challenges. The Office of Returning Citizens does not regularly answer the phone. I will ensure that no returning D.C. citizen faces the barrier of not obtaining the resources they need, such as obtaining a D.C. Government issued identification card. I WILL improve conditions at D.C. jail to treat persons humanely and implement mandatory literacy testing and training for every incarcerated person. Release must include a literacy component.
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I created 5D Court Watch to protect public safety and hold residents that participate in criminal activity accountable. The program continues to be successful and helped to change the paradigm in my community. I also created the Landlord Roundtable initiative which improved safety in rental housing.Previously incarcerated residents have a post incarceration duty to become reintegrated into the city's framework as law-abiding citizens. I have a strong record of representing and working to reintegrate previously incarcerated persons, while strengthening protections for the public. My motto has always been, we welcome you back; however, you MUST be law-abiding. Crime soared to 274 homicides in 2023, due to weak city accountability measures.
Every resident and visitor deserves to be safe and treated with dignity. My focus as Mayor will be to prioritize our citizens and legal immigrants and persons seeking a path to legal residency and citizenship.
Education
University of Maryland Bachelor's Degree Mathematics, Harvard University Graduate ALM program, Government
Qualifications
Native Washingtonian. Co-managed Marion Barry's first campaign for Mayor. Chairman/CEO Frank Reeves Center
Website
www.ernestformayor2026.com
My top priorities are restoring affordability and rebuilding accountable government.
To lower costs, I will shift housing away from large developers toward nonprofits, local contractors, and workforce training programs to build affordable homes and create jobs. I will audit subsidized projects to enforce affordable housing and hiring laws, reduce utility rates by challenging unlawful increases, and renegotiate major deals to secure long-term benefits for residents.
To improve city services, I will hire youth for a citywide cleanup initiative, enforce agency accountability, strengthen violence prevention through jobs and community programs, and require transparent performance reporting so residents see results.
Ensuring all DC residents’ lives improve with statehood—not just lobbyists, developers, and special interests—my answer is **Yes**.
First, I will build a national coalition of mayors, governors, and civil rights organizations to pressure Congress, making DC statehood a priority tied to fairness and democracy. Second, I will ensure statehood legislation includes enforceable protections so its benefits—budget control, representation, and economic opportunity—flow directly to residents, not special interests. By aligning grassroots advocacy with federal strategy, we can secure full voting rights and self-determination for the people of the District of Columbia. Creating a world-class city united in purpose and goals.
My top two measures to comply with Law 24-176 are transitioning government operations to clean energy and modernizing infrastructure to reduce emissions.
First, I will convert all DC government buildings and vehicle fleets to renewable energy and electric power, leveraging federal grants and public-private partnerships to reduce costs and accelerate timelines.
Second, I will retrofit public buildings with energy-efficient systems, including HVAC upgrades and smart technology, while expanding local workforce training to carry out this work. This approach cuts emissions, lowers long-term costs, and creates jobs for DC residents.
Washington, D.C. must be a world-class city—but one that is governed by and for its residents. I bring a lifetime of history, relationships, and credibility to this role as a native Washingtonian who has worked with two U.S. Presidents—Richard Nixon and Jimmy Carter—and whose family roots in this city go back to the era of Herbert Hoover. I will enter office with the respect and standing necessary to engage federal leaders directly, while firmly protecting the rights of District residents.
First, I will use my relationships and experience to establish a clear, professional, and consistent line of communication with Congress and the White House. Too often, D.C. leadership reacts to federal interference rather than shaping the conversation.
I will pursue comprehensive justice reform focused on rehabilitation, family connection, and successful reentry.
First, I will work to bring DC inmates closer to home. I am already in talks with officials in Lorton, Virginia and Poolesville, Maryland to establish medium-security facilities so residents can reconnect with their families.
Second, I will create two local halfway houses to support returning citizens with housing, job placement, and counseling.
Third, I will expand education, vocational training, and mental health services for those currently incarcerated.
Fourth, I will advance major justice reform legislation—personally working it through the DC Council, Congress, and to the President’s desk—to ensure fair sentencing, reentry support, and reduced recidivism.
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Yes—my perspective on the justice system is grounded not only in policy, but in lived experience and proven reform workAs a former teenage offender in Washington, D.C., I understand firsthand the consequences of poor decisions—but also the power of second chances. That experience allows me to serve as a credible and relatable role model for successful reentry. I’ve walked that path, and I know what works.
I also bring legislative experience, having worked on the restoration of voting rights alongside former Mayor Marion Barry and Council Chairman Arrington Dixon. That effort reinforced a core belief: people returning home must be fully restored as citizens if we expect them to succeed.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Qualifications
Businesses Owner
Seniors and the city of DC
When I’m elected Mayor, I will appoint my challengers to serve in every district in DC
Yes
So we can govern ourselves without Federal interference
Regular emission checks and or ride on the Subway
We need to work together to make this happen
Change the laws for DC residents and make sure that the returning citizens are allowed to vote and work in the city of DC
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Strongly agree
It sucks and needs to be revisited
Yes
They need to take care of themselves and their families as well as citizens of DC
Education
University of Maryland School of Law
Qualifications
Former At-Large Councilmember, Former Ward 5 Councilmember
Website
www.kenyanmcduffie.com
My top two priorities are making DC safer and more affordable. On public safety, I will hire 1,000 more officers - rebuilding a force down nearly 700 in six years - through stronger recruitment, a cadet pipeline for DC residents, and homebuyer support so officers can live in the communities they serve. I’ll also modernize 911 and 311 for faster, more accountable responses and ensure consistent neighborhood presence. On housing, I will increase production, preserve at-risk affordable units, and provide targeted financing to stabilize existing housing. I’ll expand support for seniors aging in place, strengthen estate planning resources, and crack down on predatory practices so families can remain in their homes and neighborhoods.
Yes. DC statehood is a civil rights issue and, as a 4th generation Washingtonian, it is personal to me. 700,000 residents pay federal taxes and serve in the military with no voting representation in Congress. That is indefensible. As Mayor, I will make statehood a centerpiece of my federal advocacy from Day One, working with DC's Congressional Delegate and building coalitions with mayors and governors who face the same federal overreach, to build national public pressure. Second, I will significantly expand the District's federal affairs office and invest in coordinated outreach in targeted congressional districts to build the sustained support statehood requires.
DC’s Climate Commitment Act requires government to cut its own carbon footprint, and I will treat that obligation seriously. First, I will direct all DC government agencies to convert their vehicle fleets to electric as quickly as possible, starting with the highest-mileage vehicles. The city cannot ask residents to go green while its own trucks and cars keep polluting. Second, I will implement the Greener Government Buildings Act requirements across every DC-owned building, including meeting the Building Energy Performance Standards that are already on the books. Government buildings account for a significant share of DC's emissions, and we will set annual solar installation targets and report publicly on progress every year.
Protecting DC's right to govern itself is a fight I have prepared for my entire career, and I am ready to wage it as DC’s next mayor. My defense of Home Rule rests on four concrete actions. On Day One, I will issue an executive order ending MPD cooperation with ICE. Second, I will bolster the Mayor's Office of Legal Counsel to mount constitutional challenges against any federal interference in DC law or our budget. Third, I will build coalitions with mayors and governors across the country facing the same overreach, because collective advocacy carries real weight. Finally, I will direct all District agencies to keep implementing our locally enacted laws to the fullest extent permitted while courts resolve any disputes.
Helping people who are currently incarcerated and those coming home is a public safety strategy. On the DC Council, I authored and championed policies that expand job access, removes barriers to housing and licensing, and supports successful reentry so returning citizens can rebuild their lives and contribute to our communities. As Mayor, I will provide sustained direct funding to peer-led reentry organizations staffed by people who have lived the experience, because they carry credibility that no government program can replicate. Also, I will connect returning residents to mental health support, primary care, housing, and employment before they walk out the door, not after they are already in crisis. Finally, I will strengthen fair chance hiring policies and expand job training and apprenticeship programs so returning citizens have real career pathways, not just second chances on paper.
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Yes. A fair and effective justice system must focus on accountability, prevention, and second chances. I will ensure our public safety agencies are coordinated and data-driven to address crime. We must also focus more of our city’s engagement with the White House and Congress, which nominates and approves our local judges, on addressing an understaffed judiciary branch. We must strengthen support for victims while also addressing root causes like mental health, substance use, and lack of opportunity. I will invest in reentry, connecting returning citizens to housing, care, and jobs before release, and expand fair chance policies so people can move forward. Justice should make our communities safer and more equitable for everyone.
Absolutely. Our diversity, including our immigrant communities, is what makes DC such an incredible city we are all proud to call home. But if government only works for some residents, it works for no one. When people are afraid that a school visit or a call for help could lead to deportation, they stop engaging with government entirely, and that makes every neighbor less safe. I co-sponsored the Sanctuary Values Act on the Council and supported legislation to create the Office of Migrant Affairs. As Mayor, on Day 1 I will issue a directive ending MPD cooperation with ICE, expand civil right-to-counsel protections so immigrant families have legal support when they need it most, and ensure government services are available to every resident
Education
Georgetown University Law Center: Master of Laws-Taxation; Howard University School of Law: Juris Doctoris; University of of the Pacific: Business Administration & Communications
Qualifications
Attorney; Certified Public Accountant (CPA); Former Two-Term Ward 5 Councilmember; Former Two-Term At-Large Councilmember; Former Democratic National Committeeman; Former President & CEO DC Chamber of Commerce; Former Vice President Pepco Region; Former Chief Financial Officer National Children’s Center, Inc.
Website
orangeformayor.com
My top two priorities are public safety and economic opportunity.
First, I will restore public safety by increasing MPD staffing to 4,000+ officers, deploying more foot and bike patrols, and investing in proven violence interruption programs with measurable outcomes. Safety is the foundation for everything else.
Second, I will expand economic opportunity through my $2 billion CBE commitment, ensuring local businesses get a fair share of District contracts, and by creating 1,500 youth apprenticeship opportunities annually across DC agencies and partners. These pathways will connect residents to real careers, not just temporary jobs.
Measured outcomes: safer neighborhoods, more jobs, and a stronger local economy.
Yes.
First, I will build a national coalition by working with the President, Congress, and state leaders to prioritize DC statehood as a civil rights and democracy issue. This includes coordinated advocacy with mayors, governors, and national organizations.
Second, I will strengthen local readiness by ensuring fiscal discipline, strong governance, and continued economic growth—demonstrating that DC meets and exceeds the standards of statehood.
Statehood is about full representation, budget autonomy, and self-determination—and I will pursue it with urgency and strategy.
First, I will transition the District’s vehicle fleet to electric and zero-emission vehicles, prioritizing public safety, sanitation, and transit fleets, while expanding charging infrastructure citywide.
Second, I will modernize government buildings through energy efficiency upgrades—HVAC systems, solar installations, and smart energy management—reducing emissions and long-term operating costs.
Measured outcomes: lower emissions, reduced energy costs, and a more sustainable city government.
I will protect DC’s autonomy through strong legal, legislative, and political strategies.
First, I will work closely with the Attorney General to aggressively defend DC laws against federal interference.
Second, I will strengthen relationships with Congress while building national public support to make interference politically costly.
Third, I will ensure transparent, fiscally sound governance—because strong local management reduces opportunities for outside intervention.
Home Rule must be defended every day—with discipline, advocacy, and results.
1. Bring DC residents home by building a modern correctional facility in DC, restoring access to family, legal support, and reentry services.
2. Expand “Incarceration to Incorporation”—creating pathways for returning citizens to start businesses and contract with DC government.
3. Scale reentry support programs, including housing, job placement, and mental health services, building on investments like Cease Fire and the William Shelton Group.
4. Strengthen apprenticeship pipelines so returning citizens can enter skilled trades, healthcare, and technology careers immediately upon release.
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Strongly agree
We must move from a system that cycles people through incarceration to one that produces rehabilitation and opportunity.
That means investing in prevention, enforcing laws fairly, supporting victims, and ensuring returning citizens have real second chances. Public safety and justice reform are not opposites—they must work together.
Measured outcomes: lower crime, lower recidivism, and stronger families.
Yes.
Elected officials have a responsibility to serve all residents and ensure that every community feels safe accessing essential services—healthcare, education, and public safety.
When people are afraid to engage with government, the entire city is less safe and less healthy. We must build trust, uphold the law, and ensure fairness in how services are delivered.
Measured outcomes: stronger community trust, better public health, and safer neighborhoods.
Education
B.A in International Relations from the University of Southern California
Qualifications
Rini Sampath is a candidate for Mayor of Washington, D.C., and Cybersecurity Director. Born in Theni, India, she immigrated to the United States at age seven and has spent over a decade calling D.C. home. She is running because she believes Washington can be a city with a competent government and vibrant neighborhoods, a strong local economy, and services that residents can count on. Rini’s career has been rooted in public service. As a federal contractor, she has spent years improving government programs and citizen services. She has worked as a field organizer in local communities, managed higher education nonprofit programs, and engaged directly with the policy challenges that shape people’s daily lives.
Website
riniformayor.com
My top two priorities are Fix the Basics and Lower the Cost of Living. Fix the Basics means making DC government actually work: 311 requests that get resolved, schools with reliable heat, permits that get processed, and agencies held accountable with published performance data by ward. Lower the Cost of Living means building more housing in every ward, cracking down on predatory junk fees, protecting renters from illegal rent increases, and pursuing the $250 million DC is owed before cutting a single program families depend on. Both priorities start with the same commitment: a government that delivers for residents every day, not just during campaign season
Yes. DC residents pay federal taxes, serve in the military, and follow federal law without a vote in Congress. That is a fundamental democratic injustice and I will fight to end it. The two most important steps I would take as Mayor: First, use the platform of the Mayor's office as a national megaphone for statehood. DC has had mayors who treated statehood as a talking point. I will treat it as an active legislative priority, engaging directly with the White House, Senate leadership, and coalition partners in other states to build the political will that has always been the missing ingredient. Second, I will decline to endorse any candidate for federal office who does not explicitly commit to DC statehood. Our city's votes should not be taken for granted by politicians who will not fight for us.
First, I will accelerate the electrification of DC's government vehicle fleet, prioritizing high-mileage vehicles like buses, DPW trucks, and agency fleets that generate the most emissions. Every publicly funded vehicle procurement under my administration will default to electric. Second, I will implement the Clean Energy DC Building Code requirements on time — requiring net-zero energy standards for new government construction and major renovations by the December 2026 deadline that the Bowser administration has been slow-walking. Government buildings account for a significant share of DC's emissions, and my administration will lead by example rather than seek extensions.
I will use every tool available. That means working with the Attorney General to challenge federal overreach in court, refusing to cooperate with ICE or participate in federal taskforces deployed against DC residents, and directing DC agencies not to share resident data with federal authorities without legal authorization. I will build proactive relationships in Congress to stop disapprovals before they happen rather than reacting after damage is done. I will decline to endorse any federal candidate who does not commit to DC statehood. I will use the platform of the Mayor's office to make DC's case nationally because the fight for home rule is not just a local fight. It requires allies, sustained pressure, and a mayor willing to lead.
First, I will advocate for DC residents serving sentences in federal Bureau of Prisons facilities to be housed closer to home. Distance from family is one of the most significant barriers to successful reentry, and DC residents deserve better than being sent across the country.Second, I will enforce Ban the Box and require real local hiring commitments on every project receiving public subsidy, with the RFK stadium's 15 percent returning citizen hiring target as a floor, not a ceiling. Third, I will connect people leaving incarceration to housing, mental health services, employment pathways, and legal aid before they are released, not after they are already in crisis. Fourth, I will support letting the pretrial detention expansion sunset on December 31, 2026. The evidence does not support extending it. People presumed innocent should not be held in a jail where deaths outpace the nation.
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Strongly agree
DC's justice system has too many points of failure. MPD commanders were served termination papers for manipulating crime data. The DC Jail has a death rate three times the national average. Pretrial detention is expanding without evidence it works. And civil legal aid is chronically underfunded, meaning the most vulnerable residents navigate the system alone. As Mayor I will demand accountability at every point: transparent crime data published by ward and race, constitutional conditions at the DC Jail, pretrial standards grounded in evidence, and fully funded civil legal aid so that a lack of resources does not determine outcomes in DC's courts. Justice requires honest data, humane facilities, and equal access.
Yes, without hesitation. I am an immigrant. I came to this country at age seven from Tamil Nadu, India, and I have called DC home for over a decade. Protecting immigrant communities is not an abstract policy position for me. It is personal. Elected officials take an oath to serve all residents, not just those with certain immigration statuses. Immigrant DC residents pay taxes, send children to our schools, staff our hospitals, and contribute to every part of this city's life. They deserve equal access to city services, equal protection under DC law, and a Mayor who will not cooperate with federal immigration enforcement targeting our communities.
I will not cooperate with ICE, and I will enforce DC's Sanctuary Values Amendment Act.
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