2026 Council of the District of Columbia election

2026 Council of the District of Columbia election
November 3, 2026
7 of the 13 seats in the Council of the District of Columbia
7 seats needed for a majority
  Majority party Minority party
 
Leader Phil Mendelson N/A
Party Democratic Independent
Seats before 11 2

The 2026 Council of the District of Columbia election will be held on November 3, 2026, to elect seven members to the Council of the District of Columbia. Primary elections will take place on June 16. This will be the first Council election to use ranked-choice voting following the implementation of Initiative 83.[1]

Special elections

2025 Ward 8 special election

Main article: 2025 Council of the District of Columbia special election

A special election was held in Ward 8 on July 15, 2025 to fill the term of councilor Trayon White, after he was expelled from the council in February 2025. White was re-elected with 27.7% of the vote.

2026 At-large special election

Main article: 2026 Council of the District of Columbia special election

A special election will be held on June 16, 2026, to fill the term of councilor Kenyan McDuffie, after he resigned on January 5, 2026, to run for mayor.[2]

Chairperson

Incumbent Democratic chairperson Phil Mendelson was re-elected to a third term with 83.4% of the vote in 2022. Mendelson is running for a fifth term in 2026.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Declared

Candidates

Potential

At-large district

Two at-large seats are up for election, the incumbents are Democrat Anita Bonds and independent Doni Crawford. Bonds is not running for re-election and Crawford— who was appointed in January 2026 to succeed Kenyan McDuffie, who is running for mayor— has not announced her intentions.[6] Only one at-large member can be a member of the majority party.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Declared
Withdrawn
  • Patricia Stamper, former ANC member for district 7C[10] (running for council chair)[5]
Declined

Endorsements

Kevin Chavous
Local officials
Oye Owolewa
Local officials
Organizations
Lisa Raymond
Local officials

Fundraising

Campaign finance reports as of January 31, 2026
Candidate Raised Spent Cash on hand
Oye Owolewa (D) $90,704 $32,036 $200,540
Candace Tiana Nelson (D) $103,350 $33,077 $84,643
Kevin Chavous (D) $24,529 $3,019 $21,508
Lisa Raymond (D) $35,465 $6,425 $29,039
Dyana Forester (D) $16,005 $374 $15,631
Leniqua’dominique Jenkins (D) $5,168 $0.00 $5,168
Source: District of Columbia Office of Campaign Finance[18]

Independents

Candidates

Potential
Declined

Ward 1

Incumbent Democrat Brianne Nadeau was re-elected to a third term in 2022 with 79.9% of the vote. She is not running for re-election.[20]

Democratic primary

Candidates

Declared
  • Rashida Brown, ANC member for district 1E[21]
  • Miguel Trinidade Deramo, ANC member for district 1B[22]
  • Terry Lynch, community activist[23]
  • Aparna Raj, tenant organizer[24] and former chair of the Metro DC Democratic Socialists of America[23]
  • Jackie Reyes-Yanes, former director of the Mayor's Office of Community Affairs[25]
Potential
  • Ed Lazere, former director of the DC Fiscal Policy Institute and candidate for council chair in 2018[26]
Withdrew
  • Brian Footer, ANC member for district 1E[27]
Declined

Endorsements

Rashida Brown
Local Officials
Organizations
Aparna Raj
Labor Unions
Community Organizations

Fundraising

Campaign finance reports as of January 31, 2026
Candidate Raised Spent Cash on hand
Aparna Raj (D) $50,766 $14,549 $219,437
Terry Lynch (D) $200 $11,282 $32,192
Rashida Brown (D) $5,655 $17,559 $5,517
Jackie Reyes-Yanes (D) $80,007 $2,999 $88,681
Miguel Trinidade Deramo (D) $57,200 $3,401 $60,124
Source: District of Columbia Office of Campaign Finance[43]

Ward 3

Incumbent Democrat Matt Frumin was first elected in 2022 with 75.9% of the vote.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Declared

Declined

  • Henry Cohen, Candidate for this seat in 2022
  • Eric Goulet, State Board of Education member and candidate for this seat in 2022 (Running At-Large)

Ward 5

Incumbent Democrat Zachary Parker was first elected in 2022 with 93.9% of the vote.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Declared
  • Bernita Carmichael, risk management professional[13]
Potential
Endorsements
Zachary Parker
Organizations

Republican primary

Candidates

Declared
  • Jeffrey Kihien, businessman[8]

Ward 6

Incumbent Democrat Charles Allen was re-elected unopposed in 2022[45], and a recall effort in 2024 failed to make the ballot.[46]

Democratic primary

Candidates

Declared
  • Charles Allen, incumbent councilmember[8]
  • Michael Murphy, attorney[8]
  • Gloria Nauden, business executive and marketing strategist[8]
Endorsements
Charles Allen
Labor Unions
Organizations

Republican primary

Candidates

Declared
  • Jorge Rice, lawyer[50]

Fundraising

Campaign finance reports as of January 31, 2026
Candidate Raised Spent Cash on hand
Charles Allen (D) $134,216 $25,653 $130,522
Gloria Nauden (D) $66,444 $13,840 $62,201
Jorge Rice (R) $1,150.50 $283.75 $866.25
Source: District of Columbia Office of Campaign Finance[51]

References

  1. ^ Flynn, Meagen; Gathright, Jenny (July 14, 2025). "D.C. Council advances budget that softens cuts, funds ranked-choice voting". The Washington Post. Retrieved September 28, 2025.
  2. ^ a b Gathright, Jenny (January 20, 2026). "D.C. Council selects McDuffie staffer to replace him". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 20, 2026.
  3. ^ a b Sherwood, Tom (December 6, 2025). "Anita Bonds Will Not Seek Reelection, Adding to the Already-Chaotic 2026 Campaign Season". Washington City Paper. Retrieved January 26, 2026.
  4. ^ a b Jenny, Gathright (January 27, 2025). "Jack Evans, who left D.C. Council amid scandal, to run for chairman". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 27, 2026.
  5. ^ a b Alex Koma [@AlexKomaDC] (February 9, 2026). "More 2026 news: @Stamper4DC tells me she's switching from the at-large race over to the council chair contest" (Tweet) – via X (formerly Twitter).
  6. ^ a b Flynn, Meagen (December 9, 2025). "D.C.'s Anita Bonds won't run again, further shaking up 2026 elections". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 13, 2025.
  7. ^ Blanchard, Jack; Burns, Dasha (February 2, 2026). "The must-read 'Melania' reviews". POLITICO. Retrieved February 6, 2026.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i Austermuhle, Martin (November 20, 2025). "The state of the 2026 D.C. races (so far)". The 51st. Retrieved November 26, 2025.
  9. ^ Harrell, Princess (September 9, 2025). "Rep. Oye Owolewa launches bid to unseat DC Councilmember Anita Bonds in at-large race". WJLA. Retrieved 23 September 2025.
  10. ^ a b c d O'Gorek, Elizabeth (January 15, 2026). "Race is On For Two At-Large DC Council Seats". Hill Rag. Retrieved January 24, 2026.
  11. ^ Koma, Alex (November 26, 2025). "D.C. Councilmember Anita Bonds might not run for reelection in a key citywide race". WAMU. Retrieved November 26, 2025.
  12. ^ a b Pusatory, Matt (January 14, 2026). "Kevin B. Chavous announces run for open At-Large seat on DC Council". WUSA (TV). Retrieved January 26, 2026.
  13. ^ a b Austermuhle, Martin (February 5, 2026). "Snowpolitics: Candidates for D.C. office weigh in on the snowstorm response". The 51st. Retrieved February 6, 2026.
  14. ^ Zach Israel [@ZachBIsrael] (January 30, 2026). "Looks like Ward 3 SBOE member @EJGoulet picked up papers today to run in the Democratic At-Large Councilmember primary" (Tweet) – via X (formerly Twitter).
  15. ^ Dil, Cuneyt (January 15, 2026). "Trump era gives D.C.'s "shadow" reps new relevance". Axios. Retrieved January 26, 2026.
  16. ^ a b c Alex Koma [@AlexKomaDC] (February 2, 2026). "New: @DCWFP is making endorsements in DC Council races, picking: @repoyedc for at-large" (Tweet) – via X (formerly Twitter).
  17. ^ Alex Koma [@AlexKomaDC] (February 9, 2026). "Some 2026 news: @charlesallen is endorsing Lisa Raymond, the ex-SBOE rep in Ward 6 running for the at-large council seat" (Tweet) – via X (formerly Twitter).
  18. ^ "Filer Reports". fairelections.ocf.dc..gov. District of Columbia Board of Elections. Retrieved January 24, 2025.
  19. ^ Dil, Cuneyt (January 15, 2026). "Scoop: Mayoral candidate Kenyan McDuffie touts 24-hour fundraising record". Axios. Retrieved January 24, 2026.
  20. ^ a b Pusatory, Matt (September 25, 2025). "DC Councilmember Brianne Nadeau will not seek reelection". WUSA. Retrieved September 25, 2025.
  21. ^ a b c Collins, Sam P.K. (October 15, 2025). "With Nadeau's Endorsement, Rashida Brown Runs for Ward 1 D.C. Council Seat". The Washington Informer. Retrieved October 17, 2025.
  22. ^ Chibarro Jr., Lou (November 24, 2025). "Second gay candidate announces run for Ward 1 D.C. Council seat". The Washington Blade. Retrieved November 26, 2025.
  23. ^ a b c d e f Flynn, Meagen (September 25, 2025). "D.C. Council member Brianne Nadeau will not seek reelection in Ward 1". The Washington Post. Retrieved September 28, 2025.
  24. ^ Allen, Ike (February 3, 2026). "DC Politics Is About to Get Wild". Washingtonian (magazine). Retrieved February 17, 2026.
  25. ^ Rincón, Fabianna (October 2, 2025). "Después de 20 años, un nuevo comienzo para Reyes-Yanes". El Tiempo Latino (in Spanish). Retrieved October 26, 2025.
  26. ^ Koma, Alex (December 5, 2025). "D.C. is poised to use ranked choice voting next year. It's already reshaping local races". WAMU (in Spanish). Retrieved January 29, 2025.
  27. ^ a b "In 2026, JUFJ Campaign Fund is Proud to Endorse". Jews United for Justice Campaign Fund. January 29, 2026. Retrieved February 2, 2026.
  28. ^ a b c @aparnafordc (September 25, 2025). "Workers built DC and they make this city run. Today, we're proud to announce that 4 major unions representing workers in food service and hospitality, public transit, and DC government have endorsed our campaign: @UHLocal25, @unitehere23, @ATULocal689, and @AFGE2725_NEWS" (Tweet). Retrieved January 26, 2026 – via X (formerly Twitter).
  29. ^ @aparnafordc (October 14, 2025). "AFGE Local 2978 members keep DC running. Their members are in DC's Department of Health and other vital agencies, ensuring that DC residents receive necessary city services. We're so proud and grateful to have their support for our campaign!" (Tweet). Retrieved January 26, 2026 – via X (formerly Twitter).
  30. ^ Tay, Akua (January 21, 2026). "WTU Endorses Aparna Raj For Ward 1 Councilmember". Washington Teachers Union. Retrieved January 26, 2026.
  31. ^ @aparnafordc (February 19, 2026). "Labor makes DC run and I'm excited to share that @UFCW400 is endorsing our campaign! I'm honored to have their support and to stand with grocery store and food service workers as we fight to build more power for working people!" (Tweet). Retrieved February 21, 2026 – via X (formerly Twitter).
  32. ^ @aparnafordc (February 24, 2026). "That's my union!! As a @WBNG32035 member, I'm SO thrilled to share that @CWAUnion's Maryland/DC State Council has officially endorsed our campaign! Together, we'll put more power in the hands of working people in DC and across the region" (Tweet). Retrieved March 4, 2026 – via X (formerly Twitter).
  33. ^ @aparnafordc (March 3, 2026). "@NonprofitUnion has endorsed our campaign in the Ward 1 race! This is our fifteenth endorsement! As a nonprofit employee myself, I'm honored to stand with NPEU members in the fight for fair wages and benefits, stronger worker protections, and more respect on the job" (Tweet). Retrieved March 4, 2026 – via X (formerly Twitter).
  34. ^ @aparnafordc (March 10, 2026). ".@32BJSEIU is ranking us #1 in the Ward 1 race! This is our TENTH labor endorsement and our 16th endorsement overall this election cycle. 32BJ SEIU is the largest property services union in the country and I'm excited to stand with them" (Tweet). Retrieved March 14, 2026 – via X (formerly Twitter).
  35. ^ @aparnafordc (March 12, 2026). "Teamsters Local 639 makes DC run. They represent members working vital jobs in freight, distribution and delivery, the public sector, and more. As the only union member in this race, I'll always fight for fair wages, better benefits, and more power on the job" (Tweet). Retrieved March 14, 2026 – via X (formerly Twitter).
  36. ^ "Our Candidates". Working Families Party. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
  37. ^ "Delegate & Ward 1 Endorsement Feb 2026". ElectionBuddy. February 14, 2026. Retrieved 21 February 2026.
  38. ^ "Metro DC DSA Announces First Round of 2026 Endorsements". Metro DC Democratic Socialists of America. January 6, 2026. Retrieved January 26, 2026.
  39. ^ "Aparna Raj". Run for Something. February 17, 2026. Retrieved February 17, 2026.
  40. ^ "Aparna Raj". Instagram. February 28, 2026. Retrieved March 14, 2026.
  41. ^ "Our Candidates". Lead Locally. March 11, 2026. Retrieved March 14, 2026.
  42. ^ "Filer Reports". fairelections.ocf.dc.gov. District of Columbia Board of Elections. Retrieved February 3, 2026.
  43. ^ "Adam Joseph Prinzo / Adam Prinzo for Ward 3". www.fairelections.ocf.dc.gov. Retrieved January 24, 2026.
  44. ^ Casillas, Mauricio (8 November 2022). "DC Election Results: Bowser Wins 3rd Term as Mayor; Voters OK More Pay for Tipped Workers". Retrieved 17 February 2026.
  45. ^ Flynn, Meagan (12 August 2024). "Campaign to recall D.C. lawmaker Charles Allen fails to qualify for ballot". The Washington Post. Retrieved 17 February 2026.
  46. ^ @ATULocal689 (2026-02-12). "For Ward 6 DC Council, Local 689 is ecstatic to endorse our friend, @charlesallen . Councilmember Allen has been on the frontlines of our fights for workers and world-class transit. We are ready to work to ensure his reelection!" (Tweet) – via X (formerly Twitter).
  47. ^ a b "Allen Campaign 2026". Allen Campaign 2026.
  48. ^ "Philadelphia/Baltimore/Washington Laborers' District Council Announces Endorsement of DC Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen for Re-Election". Facebook. Baltimore/Washington Laborers District Council. 21 January 2026. Retrieved 17 February 2026.
  49. ^ "Dr. Jorge Rice for DC Council Ward 6". Retrieved 17 February 2026.
  50. ^ "Filer Reports". fairelections.ocf.dc.gov. District of Columbia Board of Elections. Retrieved February 3, 2026.
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