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Education
BS, Workforce Education, Southern Illinois University; Executive Masters, Education Leadership, Georgetown University; Ed.D, Education Policy and Leadership, American University
Qualifications
Two term President and At-Large DC State Board of Education, 5 term Advisory Neighborhood Commission 8B (10 years); Board of Directors DC Housing Finance Agency; Board of Directors DC Veteran Affair Advisory Board; Board of Directors, Board of Directors, Historical Preservation Review Board
Website
https://www.jacque4dc.com
The most important things the Council should do is ensure we have balanced budgets and not put forth legislation that raises the ire of super conservatives in Congress. What we've seen since the return of Trump and a very conservative Congress, is the undemocratic interference of the federal government in local politics unlike any other times since the establishment of Home Rule. The taking of $1.1B from our local budget last year; the overturning of legislation that deals with public safety has shown that the council has to be aware of potential congressional interference in local law making.
Yes, DC should be a state. It is the only way we will ever have real self-determination. Statehood provides protection from federal intrusion that would make DC more independent in his law making and budget spending. It would provide two senators that would have a vote and make our delegate a real congress person. My plan to make this happen is to visit other legislatures throughout our country to educate them on our situation of taxation without representation. I would seek to get resolutions from states supporting statehood for the District. Than, when our delegate introduces a House Bill for statehood, they would do so know which states have already passed resolutions in support.
The District must prohibit the installation of fossil fuel-burning space- or water-heating appliances in municipal buildings starting in 2025. The focus is on implementing Carbon Free DC strategies, prioritizing energy efficiency, and transitioning existing systems to electric alternatives.
Starting in 2026, the DC government must purchase or lease only zero-emission vehicles, moving away from conventional fossil fuel vehicles.
To reach carbon neutrality by 2040, the government must prioritize additional on-site and local renewable energy generation.
Establish the mandated Climate Commitment Interagency Taskforce to create a detailed action plan for carbon neutrality by 2040, including timelines and funding.
I would use this job and the bully-pulpit that comes with it to fight against any encroachment on Home-Rule. I have already done this work in my position as president of the DC State Board of Education with the facilitating of three "Recesses at the Capital" where we took families to Capitol Hill to fight for the return of our $1.1B dollars and other unjust bills proposed by congressmen and senators.
Strongly disagree
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Neither agree nor disagree
Agree
Strongly agree
When I think about ways to improve D.C.'s justice system, I want to ensure there is balance between public safety reform, were some residents what tougher penalties and a more rehabilitative approach. As a councilmember, my proposals would include strengthening pre-trial detention for violent crimes, ending federal and local law enforcement coordination on immigration, enhancing victim services, and reforming youth rehabilitation laws to focus on rehabilitation rather than just punishment.
Yes. We are still a sanctuary city, and we have made it part of city values to fight for immigrant communities.
Education
Brown University, Bachelor of Arts in Economics; Western Senior High School, Baltimore, MD
Qualifications
At-Large D.C. Councilmember, 2015-2023; Maryland Department of Labor Chief Strategy Officer 2024; Loose Lips Washington City Paper columnist and Washington Post reporter 2002-2008; DC Fiscal Policy Institute
Website
www.elissafordc.com
First, the Council needs to have a smart and strategic approach to the reckless Trump administration and Republican Congress with regard to our city, protect our residents and safeguard our economy as much as possible. We need to follow our own law and be clear that the law does not permit MPD collaboration with ICE on immigration matters. We need to get our residents back to work, both by seeing if we can use their talents in our own government, encouraging them to be entrepreneurs and also shifting our economy and getting our residents into our big industries like healthcare.
Second, given the devastating impacts of Trump, we need to use our $22 billion budget much better. That means holding government agencies accountable, so that trash gets picked up on time, 911 picks up the phone efficiently and effectively, and we have high-performing public schools that keep families in DC.
DC should be a state.
We need to work with our great statehood allies in Congress, like neighbor Rep. Jamie Raskin and Senators Chris Van Hollen and Tim Kaine, to have a strategy to get the votes in the House and Senate. We also need to get to know Republicans who believe in Statehood. There are a few.
And we need to convince our own residents we deserve to be a state. I think Trump's tyranny and threat to Home Rule is helping with that.
1. We need to continue to incentivize renewable energy through our solar and green buildings programs. I am a frugal homeowner and the SREC value convinced me to install solar.
2. We need to fund Metrorail and Metrobus, build pedestrian and bike infrastructure that keeps people safe when they decide to walk, bike, or take public transit instead of traveling by car.
Our city has too often been caught flatfooted in dealing with the Trump administration. Rather than developing proactive strategies, key leaders have obeyed in advance. For a better path forward, we can look to New York where Mayor Mamdani has played strategic offense to leverage federal dollars for housing while working with the rest of city leadership, including NYPD, to prevent federal overreach.
We need to coordinate between our Council, the Mayor, and Attorney General to ensure that we are developing strategies to defend DC’s autonomy. My experience and leadership in getting hard things done will be an asset to the Council in this regard. For example, I made sure that Paid Family and Medical Leave, my bill, was delivered on time.
Strongly disagree
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Strongly agree
We need to make sure that there are swift and certain consequences for lawbreaking, but also that the punishment is appropriate. Sometimes that means diversion programs, and sometimes that means having the supports in place so that residents who are returning from incarceration have the chance to earn income and provide for their families. This is not my area of expertise, that's why I think we look to experts and evidence based practices that have been proven to work. Too often in this city we commission reports on what has worked elsewhere, but then we never implement them or implement them poorly. Details matter. Results matter. Let's do it right and make strategic policy decisions and budget investments to make our city even better.
It most certainly is the responsibility of elected officials to keep our immigrant neighbors safe, to keep our workers safe, and our community safe. It's not just about MPD and being clear about ICE non-cooperation, it's also about making sure that workplaces including schools know what to do when ICE shows up. It is making sure the Attorney General's guidance is distributed and people know their rights. It is about people feeling protected and valued. It's about keeping programs in place, like the DC Healthcare Alliance, which primarily helps our immigrant residents get access to health services and insurance. And making sure we don't create a generation afraid to talk to police and government officials.
