2022 DC Primary Election Voter Guide

2022 DC PRIMARY ELECTION

VOTER GUIDE

SPONSORED BY

NEWSPAPER READING IS A HABIT DON’T BREAK THE HABIT!

READ THE WASHINGTON INFORMER YOUR WAY: n In Print – feel the ink between your fingers of

our Award Winning Print Edition

n On the Web – www.washingtoninformer.com

updated throughout the day, every day

n On your tablet n On your smartphone n Facebook n Twitter n Weekly Email Blast – sign up at

www.washingtoninformer.com

202-561-4100 For advertising contact Ron Burke at rburke@washingtoninformer.com

...Informing you everyday in every way

In Memoriam Dr. Calvin W. Rolark, Sr. Wilhelmina J. Rolark THE WASHINGTON INFORMER NEWSPAPER (ISSN#0741-9414) is published weekly on each Thursday. Periodicals postage paid at Washington, D.C. and additional mailing offices. News and advertising deadline is Monday prior to publication. Announcements must be received two weeks prior to event. Copyright 2016

by The Washington Informer. All rights reserved. POSTMASTER: Send change of addresses to The Washington Informer, 3117 Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave., S.E. Washington, D.C. 20032. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. The Informer Newspaper cannot guarantee the return of photographs. Subscription rates are $45 per year, two years $60. Papers will be received not more than a week after publication. Make checks payable to: THE WASHINGTON INFORMER 3117 Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave., S.E Washington, D.C. 20032 Phone: 202 561-4100 Fax: 202 574-3785 news@washingtoninformer.com www.washingtoninformer.com

PUBLISHER Denise Rolark Barnes STAFF D. Kevin McNeir, Senior Editor Ron Burke, Advertising/Marketing Director Shevry Lassiter, Photo Editor Lafayette Barnes, IV, Editor, WI Bridge DC Jamila Bey, Digital Content Editor Austin Cooper, Our House Editor Desmond Barnes, Social Media Stategist ZebraDesigns.net, Design & Layout Mable Neville, Bookkeeper Angie Johnson, Office Mgr./Circulation Angel Johnson, Admin. Asst.

REPORTERS Stacy Brown (Senior Writer), Sam P.K. Collins, Aja Beckham, Ed Hill, Will Ford (Prince George’s County Editor), Hamil Harris, Curtis Knowles, Brenda Siler,Lindiwe Vilakazi, Sarafina Wright, James Wright PHOTOGRAPHERS Shevry Lassiter, Photo Editor, Roy Lewis, Jr., Robert R. Roberts, Anthony Tilghman, Abdula Konte, Ja'Mon Jackson

Your Vote on June 21 is Your Voice for D.C.’s Future Dozens of candidates are seeking political office in D.C. They have similar and opposing positions on a wide range of issues impacting the lives of D.C. residents. Whether they are incumbents or new to the D.C. political scene, there’s one thing now they all have in common. It is the special appeal they make each time they engage with voters. They simply say, “Chose me and vote on June 21.”

This Voters Guide intends to draw attention and action surrounding voting in the June 21 primary race in D.C. We want to familiarize voters with the candidates, not all, but those who took time to respond to questions our staff often hears voters 5 Denise Rolark-Barnes, Washington Informer ask. It also serves as a resource for voters who have questions Publisher about the voting process in D.C., from mail-in to in-person voting, important dates, and what incarcerated voters and returning citizens need to know.

While we wish every candidate could have participated in this guide, we ask readers not to judge those that didn’t. Visit our digital Voters Guide at www.washingtoninformer.com.

We are proud of our relationship with AARP-DC, with whom we partnered to host two candidates' forums – at-large and mayoral – and produce this Voters Guide. History has shown that seniors are the most active and engaged voters in D.C., and they are also our most loyal and faithful readers of The Washington Informer.

Together, it is our pleasure to serve them.

We also appreciate the League of Women Voters of D.C. and the D.C. Board of Elections officials who agreed to support this Voters Guide with additional resources and information. With voting under attack in cities and states across the country, detailed instructions and transparency are crucial to ensuring a fair voting process and that voters are assured their votes count. The outcome of this election has implications for the future direction of D.C. and how each community will be affected. It’s too important a race for those who live here not to vote on June 21.

We want to extend our best wishes to each candidate that decided public service is a worthy and noble endeavor. We’ve watched your performances at candidates’ forums, covered some of you on the campaign trail, mingled with you at meet-and-greets, read about you in other publications, watched you on evening newscasts, and still receive campaign literature packed into our mailboxes every single day.

We know how serious you are about winning, and we wish you the best of luck.

Once again, we remind voters to cast your vote in the D.C. Primary Election on June 21, or vote early while you can. Mark your calendar for November 8, when the general election is held, and the winners will be sworn into office in January 2023.

Next year also marks the 50th anniversary of D.C. Home Rule, an act signed into law on December 24, 1973. At the same time, Statehood is our ultimate goal. D.C. Home Rule was a long and hard-fought battle. It gave us the right to exercise our vote here in the nation’s capital, although our laws and budget are still subject to the approval of Congress and the President. We pay homage to those who led the battle for Home Rule and encourage those leading the fight for Statehood to stay strong.

Again, share your voice and vote on June 21.

WI

www.washingtoninformer.com / 2022 DC PRIMARY ELECTION VOTER GUIDE

V-2

Voters 50+: Our Voices Decide

Use Your Power to Decide the 2022 Election

By Louis Davis, Jr. State Director, AARP DC Americans 50+ are our nation’s most powerful voters – and you will be the deciders in the 2022 elections. The District of Columbia’s June 21 primary election will determine which candidates appear on November’s general election ballot for mayor, attorney general, members of the D.C. City Council, the D.C. delegate to Congress and other citywide offices.

AARP is calling on candidates to propose solutions to address the challenges facing voters 50+ and are proud to join with the Washington Informer to present this Voting Guide so you can learn where candidates stand on issues of particular interest to older Washingtonians and your families.

District of Columbia

To help those 50+ make your decision, AARP DC has heard from its members about what issues are important to you and developed questions regarding specific topics. These questions were posed to all Mayoral and At Large candidates, and you will find their answers in the pages that follow.

AARP DC has worked to provide you with the information you need to make a knowledgeable decision.

The issues AARP DC asked the Mayoral and At Large candidates to address, include: policies and strategies they would implement to help ensure no District senior goes without nutritious meals; how they would ensure a strong infrastructure plan is developed and executed; policies they would put forward to reduce racial and ethnic disparities in access to affordable, high-quality health care and; how they would ensure the

District is meeting the health and long term care needs of LGBTQ+ older people including older people living with HIV. Washington, D.C., and the Board of Elections has made it easy to cast your ballot, with same-day voter registration and no-excuse mail-in ballots sent to all registered voters. Here is some essential information: • Mail-in balloting: All active, registered voters should have received a no-excuse mail-in ballot for the primary election. You can return the ballot by mail or place it in a secure drop box located around the District.

• Early in-person voting: You can cast your ballot early and in person at an Early Vote Center located throughout the District from June 10th-June 19th.

• In-person voting on Election Day: The final day to cast your ballot in the primary is Tuesday,

June 21. Find your polling place online at the D.C. Board of Elections website.

People 50+ are our nation’s most powerful voters – and you will be the deciders in the 2022 elections here in the District and nationwide. Our voices decide.

But our voices won’t be heard if we don’t vote. Make the commitment now to be a Decider. Be the person who is committed to speaking up, voting, and holding elected leaders accountable.

AARP DC is providing all voters 50+ in the District with accurate, up-to-date voting information to help you understand your options when it comes to how, when and where to cast your ballot.

Everything you need to know to vote in the DC primary can be found online at www.aarp.org/dcvotes. Be a Decider and vote. Our future depends on it.

WI

Know the when, where, and how. Then vote.

Voting is your most important right. But you have to be in the know to vote. Thatʼs why AARP District of Columbia has collected all the most up-to-date election information to make sure that voters 50-plus are heard on Nov. 8. Get the latest on how to register, where to vote in person, all the key voting deadlines, and more at aarp.org/DCvotes

facebook.com/aarpdc | @AARPDC Paid for by AARP

V-3

2022 DC PRIMARY ELECTION VOTER GUIDE / www.washingtoninformer.com

Incarcerated Voters & Returning Citizens If I am incarcerated, under court supervision, or residing at a halfway house; can I still vote?

I’ve just been released from Incarceration, what should I do to make sure my voting rights are intact?

The DC Board of Elections is committed to empowering all eligible voters, including those with criminal records, to exercise their right to vote. If you are incarcerated, regardless of the offense, you are able to vote. If you are under court supervision or residing at a halfway house after release, you are able to vote.

Upon your release, please contact the Board of Elections to make any updates to your mailing address.

For more information visit: https:// www.dcboe.org/Voters/Register-To-Vote/Register-to-Vote

What address should I use when I am registering to vote?

If you are currently a resident at the DC Jail, when registering to vote, you may use your DC home address or the address of the DC Jail if you have been a resident of DC for at least 30 days. If you are currently serving time in a federal facility, you may use your DC home address.

What if a ballot was mailed while incarcerated, but I was released before it arrived?

If an Absentee Ballot was mailed and you were released from incarceration before it arrived, you may vote at any Voting Center during Early Voting or at any Vote Center on Election Day. Still have a question that we didn’t answer? We welcome your questions and feedback. Email us at press@ dcboe.org with any additional questions, and we’ll make sure you get all the information you need. WI

#Vote4DC

P L E AS E

E A R LY!

VOTE BY MAIL US Postal Service Mail Ballot Drop Box Vote Center Drop Box

VOTE IN PERSON AT ANY VOTE CENTER Early Voting: June 10–19 Primary Election Day: June 21

Mail Ballot Drop Boxes and Vote Center locations may be found in the Voter Guide or on the DCBOE website at www.dcboe.org.

1015 Half St., SE Suite 750, Washington, DC 20003 • www.dcboe.org • Telephone (202)727-2525 • 711 (TTY)

DCBOE Ad 9.875 x 5.5.indd 1

www.washingtoninformer.com / 2022 DC PRIMARY ELECTION VOTER GUIDE

5/25/22 11:31 PM

V-4

#VOTESAFEDC

#Vote4DC

P L E AS E

E A R LY!

n

n

n

If you have not received your mail-in ballot by June 16, you should plan to vote in person during Early Voting, or on Primary Election Day. Every registered voter affiliated with one of the major parties (Democratic, Republican, DC Statehood Green, and Libertarian) may vote in the Primary Election.

You can change or update your registration online or via mail up until May 31. Visit your neighborhood library to get a voter registration application or visit www.dcboe.org.

SCAN TO REGISTER OR UPDATE

at any Vote Center

Mail Ballot Drop Boxes and Vote Center locations may be found in the Voter Guide or on the DCBOE website at www.dcboe.org.

1015 Half St., SE Suite 750, Washington, DC 20003 • www.dcboe.org • Telephone (202)727-2525 • 711 (TTY)

V-5

2022 DC PRIMARY ELECTION VOTER GUIDE / www.washingtoninformer.com

D.C. MAYORAL CANDIDATES ROBERT WHITE

Total number of Candidates: 5 Muriel Bowser [Democrat • teammurieldc@gmail.com] Robert White [Ward 4 • Democrat • robert@robertfordc.com] James Butler [Ward 5 • Democrat • james@butler4dc.com] Trayon White [info@traywhiteformayor.com] Stacia Hall [stacia@staciahall.com]

Ward 4 • Democrat • www.robertfordc.com What do you hope to accomplish in your first 100 days in office?

In my first 100 days in office, I will create a culture change in our government. I will end pay-to-play politics and focus our government operations on the people who need us most. In addition, we will immediately get to work putting my comprehensive public safety plan into action to make our city safer, convene teachers and parents to restore trust in our education system, and make clear to developers that they are welcome to build in DC, but they have to build what we need.

JAMES BUTLER Ward 5 • Democrat • www.butler4dc.com

big developers

What do you hope to accomplish in your first 100 days in office? I WILL make DC one of the SAFEST cities in the country. by increase the number of police by 700. A) Create a special Gun Interdiction Unit to work with the Gun Recovery Unit B) Work with ATF to ensure Ghost Guns are a thing of the past C) Review with our Local and Federal Courts Deeply Affordable Housing A) rent control to all places in DC including those built after 1976. B) Discontinue using HUDs formula to calculate AMI and adopt our local formula C) end tax breaks to

How will you increase access to affordable housing throughout all eight wards in D.C.? I will begin using City Owned properties as opposed to relying on private developers for the bulk of our affordable housing. I will look at how to calculate Area Median Income (AMI) to determine what is affordable. Presently, the District uses HUDs formula which factors in neighboring counties of the District…this artificially hikes, or raises, what is affordable in the District. —and he will change the law to create our own localized formula and make housing truly affordable.

What steps will you take to address high unemployment in the Black community? Modifying The Sunrise Movement’s Federal Guarantee Jobs proposal to a Localized Guarantee Jobs (LGJ) Program. Restructuring the First Source Program to work with multiple industries outside of the construction; local government, tech firms, law offices. Funding for UDC to provide FREE soft skills training for employees in the LGJ. Making the pursuit of a technical degree affordable to DC residents. Reviewing the areas to repopulate DC’s vocational education programs for children and adults.

Describe your long-term recovery plan for schools and businesses still reeling from COVID-19. We will begin converting all HVAC to HEPA compliant… and follow the science. My goal is not to need to shut the schools or businesses down again. Also, we will use SBA and City funding and grants to ensure Small businesses that were hurt by Covid… Get the funding that they need.

What can be done to address health-related issues that impact the quality of life in the Black community? Qualified mental health services Job placement; through local community organization,s government and private entities Complete access to the ballot box Access to affordable housing.

How will you tackle gun violence in the District and concerns about police accountability? What role, if any, will MPD Chief Robert Contee III play in fulfilling this vision? Reformulating a constitutional no loitering law to make DC streets safe hubs free of criminal activity and unsafe environments. label gun violence as a public health crisis and will put the full efforts and public health funds and resources to address it as such. implement a Gun Trafficking Interdiction Unit with MPD. This Unit will specifically and solely work to target and tackle all illegal, unregistered, and ghost guns coming into the District from neighboring and other states.

What will you do to address the disparities among neighborhood middle schools, particularly those East of the Anacostia River, that forces parents to seek alternatives? I will Build a racial equity incentive system for schools making leaps and bounds in addressing educational inequity. Double our foundational investments for all public and charter schools and Ward 7 and 8. Create bonuses for schools that show improvement in increasing early child literacy, mathematics, and STEM. More frequent accountability checks with school administrations Ensuring monies to schools are not used autonomously on salaries but flow directly to classrooms and teachers Do you support mayoral control of District schools? If not, what’s the alternative? YES What will you do to ensure small businesses thrive in the District? My administration is focused on seeing different Wards throughout the city become a hub for small businesses by Ward residents. Instead of focusing large grants to big-box businesses we will incentivize the collaboration between the two. WI

How will you increase access to affordable housing throughout all eight wards in D.C.? I have pushed DC government to convert vacant office buildings into affordable housing, added unprecedented transparency to development projects, and am pushing agencies to identify District-owned properties we can convert to housing. As mayor, I will continue working on creative solutions, like community land trusts and social housing, and will move rapidly to implement. I will make clear to developers that they need to meet our needs and build family-sized, affordable housing.

What steps will you take to address high unemployment in the Black community?I will implement a Jobs Guarantee for DC to put people to work addressing climate change and building resiliency and sustainability in our infrastructure. I will ensure all students are leaving high school either college or career ready through the most dramatic expansion of vocational education in our city’s history. I will conduct a thorough, data-driven investigation to determine why so many workforce programs are not producing results and replace programs that are not successful.

Describe your long-term recovery plan for schools and businesses still reeling from COVID-19. I’ll advance an equity-based approach that includes increasing funding for schools with large populations of students with high needs and providing wrap-around services. I’ll invest in mental health services and ensure schools are equitably resourced. The pre-pandemic reality isn’t going to return. We need to find creative ways to support businesses. I’ll convert empty office buildings into affordable housing to provide a customer base for downtown businesses while creating affordable housing.

What can be done to address health-related issues that impact the quality of life in the Black community? The best care is preventative care. We need to ensure that residents have access to recreation, nutritious foods, and clean air. I will keep our streets safe so people feel confident walking or running, invest in small, reliable grocers to get food into communities that have become food deserts, and prevent pollution and environmental harm. I also will build a stronger healthcare network for communities east of the river.

How will you tackle gun violence in the District and concerns about police accountability? What role, if any, will MPD Chief Robert Contee III play in fulfilling this vision? I released a comprehensive plan to focus police resources on public safety, take a proactive approach to eliminating the conditions that lead to crime, and expand violence interruption. In addition, when people do not trust the police, they do not work with officers to solve crimes. I will take a hands on approach to build trust and create a culture of transparency in MPD. I have a great deal of respect for Chief Contee and will work with him and anyone else committed to making our streets safe.

What will you do to address the disparities among neighborhood middle schools, particularly those East of the Anacostia River, that forces parents to seek alternatives? At a minimum, every school must have a nurse, librarian, full-time mental health counselor, and other basic staffing and resources but equality is not enough.

Our staffing and resource allocation must be based on equity. We need to increase funding for schools with large atrisk populations and provide wrap-around services for those students. We also need to work with communities to determine which programs are most appropriate to meet the needs and desires of families and implement accordingly.

Do you support mayoral control of District schools? If not, what’s the alternative? I don’t support our current system - the most extreme version of mayoral control in the country. 60% of Black and Brown students are below grade level and 40% of students leave our public schools before high school. I reject the idea that we have to choose between what we did before that failed students or what we’re doing now that is failing students. As Mayor, I’ll work with the Council to create an independent State Superintendent of Education and appoint a Chancellor with a sense of urgency.

What will you do to ensure small businesses thrive in the District? I will invest in incubation spaces so local entrepreneurs can become business owners, reduce red tape and bureaucracy, and bring down fees for small businesses. I will also protect local businesses from being taken advantage of and prioritize providing them with greater opportunities to compete for government contracts. I also will expand the work I’ve done on the Council assisting local businesses with buying their buildings to prevent displacement. WI

www.washingtoninformer.com / 2022 DC PRIMARY ELECTION VOTER GUIDE

V-6

D.C. COUNCIL CHAIR CANDIDATES ERIN PALMER Ward 4 • Democrat • Age: 40 DC Council Chair • Ethics lawyer www.erinfordc.com/

website to share materials; permanent virtual and hybrid options to testify; and hearings with day, evening, and weekend options and timed panels.

If elected, will you continue to prevent freshman council members from chairing council committees?

Please explain your answer. Freshman Councilmembers can be equipped to chair committees well. My DC Council Accountability Plan includes proposals to support the Council and Councilmembers, including more institutionalized support staff and a nonpartisan, objective research service. My interest in collaborative Council action means that not only will I come in ready to legislate, conduct oversight, and hold the Executive accountable, but that every Councilmember will be equipped to do so.

Why do you want to chair the D.C. Council? I am a mom, an ethics lawyer, and a dedicated public servant. I am the only candidate in this race with a plan for a more modern, more ethical, and more accountable DC Council. My DC Council Accountability Plan will empower the Council to legislate and conduct oversight well and efficiently, so our government works to the benefit of all DC residents, particularly those who have been the most underserved.

Are you in favor of or against term limits for committee chairmanships? Please explain. If in favor of term limits, how many terms are sufficient? I am in favor of a Council committee chair appointment process that is neutral and does not risk the appearance of impropriety (e.g., seeming to be motivated by obtaining a desired vote; punishing or rewarding Councilmembers for their vote; limiting certain Councilmembers from influencing specific issues). A neutral process could include term limits for Councilmembers serving as committee chairs, and I would support working collaboratively with all Councilmembers to make that determination.

What consideration will you give to reinstating the Education Committee? If none, then why? I have repeatedly called for reinstating the DC Council’s standalone Committee on Education with dedicated, nonpartisan support staff to bring consistent oversight of DC’s public schools. DC is the only jurisdiction where education governance is almost completely controlled by the Mayor, including our state education agency, and the only “state legislature” without such a committee. Council oversight and independent data collection are essential to ensure accountability.

Are you in favor of a nonvoting youth D.C. council member? I strongly support a youth DC Councilmember and expanding and improving our democracy to bring youth voices to the table. We already have a model for this in our State Board of Education, which has non-voting student members. Empowering young adults to weigh in on the many issues affecting their lives – like community safety, education, and climate change – brings them into the democratic process and shows them their voices matter. Let’s invest in our youth and show them they matter.

Does the current system for public testimony, i.e. length of time and schedule, provide enough opportunity for D.C. residents from all walks of life to participate? If not, what changes will you implement?

I strongly believe in working constantly to make government more inclusive and accessible. Individuals who are most impacted by proposed laws, regulations, and policy should be heard and have easy access to information. My DC Council Accountability Plan includes proposals for more inclusive and accessible Council proceedings, including a centralized

Do you support legislation clarifying attorney general qualifications? Why or why not? I support legislation clarifying the attorney general qualifications. There were problems with the current Council Chair’s drafting of the existing legislation, which we’ve recently seen play out at cost to and confusion for DC residents. The question of the statute’s intent has been raised over the years.The DC Council could easily consider legislation that is more broad and does not require the practice of law, which the Council considered and rejected originally. WI

PHIL MENDELSON Ward 6 • Democrat • Age: 69 Chairman of the Council www.mendelsonforchairman.com Why do you want to chair the D.C. Council?

I have the experience, skill, and progressive values. Go to my site to see my record and commitment to continue working on public safety, affordable housing, improving public education, etc. But being Chairman of the Council is more than just where I stand on issues, it is the ability to work with colleagues, forge consensus, and get things done (unlike the other legislative body in DC). I have 10 years’ experience getting important, sometimes controversial, legislation adopted.

Are you in favor of or against term limits for committee chairmanships? Please explain. If in favor of term limits, how many terms are sufficient? No. I believe chairmanships should be assigned based on interest and experience. Neither of those qualities are time-limited. Since the advent of Home Rule the average tenure of members has been about 8 years. Before becoming Chairman of the Council I chaired the Judiciary Committee for 8 years. My abilities got better with time and I could have gotten much more accomplished in the realm of public safety if I had remained Judiciary Chair longer than 8 years.

Are you in favor of a nonvoting youth D.C. council member? No. We do get youth perspectives on legislation through the public hearing process. Moreover, the Home Rule Act would have to be changed.

Do you support legislation clarifying attorney general qualifications? Why or why not?

Yes. I believe the court got it wrong. I was present in 2010 when the law was written (I managed the bill through the Council) and I am certain that the Council expected that councilmembers qualified and could run to be attorney general. Yes, I support legislation to make this clear now that the court has interpreted the law the wrong way. WI

What consideration will you give to reinstating the Education Committee? If none, then why? I'll ask all members what they want at the end of this year, before we adopt a new committee structure. Currently education is in the Committee of the Whole. As a result, every member is a member of the “education committee,” and we have more professional staff dedicated to education than before. We’ve held almost as many education hearings in the past 16 months (29) than the previous Education Committee held in 24 months (33). The decision for next Council Period will be made by the Council.

Does the current system for public testimony, i.e. length of time and schedule, provide enough opportunity for D.C. residents from all walks of life to participate? If not, what changes will you implement?

I'm open to suggestions. However, how each hearing is structured ultimately is up to the committee chair. The hearing, for me at least, is just one way that the public can provide comments. Stakeholders can meet with me in the community, or come to my office, etc. Since becoming Chairman I've slowed down the legislative process so that there will be more opportunity for public comment, and I got the Council’s rules changed to require a public hearing on all bills (it used to be optional).

If elected, will you continue to prevent freshman council members from chairing council committees?

Please explain your answer. The decision will be made by the Council, but my recommendation likely will be that freshmen not be committee chairs. That would be consistent with practice under several previous Chairmen. Learning the legislative process and how best to conduct oversight takes time, and many members have told me after the fact that they appreciated having their first two years without being a committee chair. Indeed, it gave them the opportunity to participate in all of the Council’s committees more broadly.

V-7

2022 DC PRIMARY ELECTION VOTER GUIDE / www.washingtoninformer.com

D.C. COUNCIL CANDIDATES

cured resources for Ward 1, including police, violence prevention, victims services and youth programming. I have passed laws to get guns off the street.

BRIANNE K. NADEAU Ward 1 • Councilmember • Democrat Age: 41 • http://www.briannefordc.com Why are you running for the D.C. Council? I am proud of the work I have done to put more than 1,200 units of truly affordable housing in the pipeline in Ward 1, increase funding for public safety each year, improve our schools, and provide constituent services to more than 8,000 households. By working together we've made great progress in Ward 1, but there is more work to do.

Are you in favor of or against term limits for committee chairmanships? Please explain. If in favor of term limits, how many terms are sufficient? I'm not sure I see the benefit to term limits for committee chairmanships, given that there is fairly regular turnover without them. Every two years the Council committees are reconfigured in some way, and that has allowed for a variety of committee composition, committee assignments and chairmanships.

What bill(s), if any, will you introduce within your first 100 days? The 1st bill I introduced was to strengthen our Code of Ethics and the first bill I passed was to secure affordable housing in Columbia Heights. I have passed many bills over the past 8 years, establishing the Ombudsperson for Children; strengthening the powers of the Chief Tenant Advocate; Ending homelessness for 2,400 households, increasing wages for childcare workers, establishing a basic monthly income for families; expanding public benefits; expanding services for people with disabilities.

What do you consider to be the most important issues confronting your constituents? Public safety is the biggest issue in Ward 1, followed by affordable housing. As a mom of two little ones, I am deeply focused on improving safety in Ward 1. I have increased spending on safety from $1.3 billion to $1.8 billion during my time in office. I have se-

What have you done for your ward/across the District, either as an incumbent or challenger? As Chairperson of the Committee on Human Services, I have focused on our most vulnerable residents, expanding public benefits, providing permanent housing to thousands of homelessness residents, and expanding services for people with disabilities. I have increased affordable housing, passed Paid Family Leave, increased the minimum wage, improved our schools established Main Streets programs to support our small businesses, and provided constituent services to more than 8,000 households.

How will you close economic gaps in your ward/across the District? I have been focused on increasing wages and creating jobs, as well as addressing racial inequities in government structures that have led to generational poverty.

Whether it's raising the minimum wage, establishing paid family leave, raising wages for front lines home care workers, increasing housing subsidies, establishing jobs for returning citizens, or providing tax abatement to longtime Blackowned businesses like Sankofa and the Jackson family's IHOP, I am working to address these gaps.

As a council member, how will you improve the quality of education in neighborhood schools based in your ward? I have overseen the modernization of 7 neighborhood schools in Ward 1, increased per pupil funding, at-risk funding, funding for English Language Learners, mandated school librarians, funded the School-Based Mental Health Program, and established the current iteration of the Out-of-School-Time program, which is $20 million annually dedicated to tutoring, mentoring, extra curriculars, after-school and summer programs. I work closely with our school principals, teachers, parents and students.

What steps will you take to ensure more of your constituents can access affordable housing?

I have put more than 1,200 units of truly affordable housing in the pipeline in Ward 1 with hundreds of units delivered already, passed laws to allow for more housing to be built throughout the Ward, expanded requirements for affordable housing to be built on public land, introduced a law to expand and protect rent control, and funded and held the DC Housing Authority accountable for necessary maintenance and renovations. WI friends, and the community overall.There isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to end the violence in Ward 1.The only way for Ward 1 and our neighbors to truly flourish is for us all to feel safe. Read my safety plan here — https://sabelforward1.com/wp-content/ uploads/2022/04/Layers_of_Safety_Ward1_SabelHarris.pdf

SABEL HARRIS Ward1 • Councilmember • Democrat • Age: 33 Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner and Director of Marketing, EVERFI • https://sabelforward1.com/ Why are you running for the D.C. Council? My family came to the US in 1975 escaping a situation that would have had them killed. They worked toward better days when they would stop surviving & start thriving. I came to DC with a similar dream, but as time has passed, violence increased, rent rose, jobs have been lost, & neighbors have felt more isolated. Ward 1 needs a voice on the Council from someone who knows what it’s like to feel different and to be the active, tireless leader for everyone here.

Are you in favor of or against term limits for committee chairmanships? Please explain. If in favor of term limits, how many terms are sufficient?

For committees, I believe two terms as the chair is sufficient. I am also in favor of term limits across the board not just for committee chairmanships. We must have term limits for all of our elected officials to ensure that we are combatting complacency and inaction.

What bill(s), if any, will you introduce within your first 100 days? The first two pieces of legislation I would like to introduce would be to unify our violence interruption programs as we have two programs that currently do not work together (One from the OAG, Cure the Streets, and one from the Mayor, the Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement) to expand the services District-wide. I also would like to introduce legislation that would recalculate Median Family Income (which determines affordability) and reforms on Inclusionary Zoning.

What do you consider to be the most important issues confronting your constituents? Safety is the most important issue for many residents of Ward 1. Violence takes lives, but also devastates and traumatizes families, children,

What have you done for your ward/across the District, either as an incumbent or challenger? I'm currently serving as Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner for U St. I've had the opportunity to help lead on the process for the Reeves Center redevelopment & I'm working on a Planned Unit Development at 1250 U St. Both of these developments will not just bring more housing, but more deeply affordable housing & safer, greener transportation options. I've successfully negotiated 10 community agreements with establishments, & have always showed up for the everyday moments for my constituents.

How will you close economic gaps in your ward/across the District? The gap between those who have a lot and those who don't have much is widening every day in Ward 1. I believe closing these gaps start with building more deeply affordable housing, creating policies around anti-displacement and reforming measures on affordable housing, like the ones mentioned above.

As a council member, how will you improve the quality of education in neighborhood schools based in your ward? The responsibility of a child's education is with the parents. The government oversight responsibilities lie with the school Matters related to education that go in front of the Council are referred to the Committee of the Whole (COW). The COW looks at agencies that handle everything from zoning, the lottery, airports, and more. Education should never be an afterthought and grouped with this wide mix of departments. On day one as Councilmember, I will advocate for the reinstatement of the Committee on Education, which will help Council conduct the necessary oversight on our schools.

What steps will you take to ensure more of your constituents can access affordable housing? As mentioned above, I will take immediate steps to recalculate MFI as it is calculated for all of DC, including parts of Northern Virginia and Maryland. So someone who makes 80% of the MFI in Ward 3 is vastly different from someone who makes 80% of the MFI in Ward 8.MFI is used to determine affordable units within Inclusionary Zoning (IZ) and this also only encompasses 50-80% MFI.We need to reform both of these things and make IZ a requirement (especially for 30% MFI) instead of an incentive. WI dren can thrive. We need to elect leaders with experience, vision, and integrity, who will fight for all of us.

BEAU FINLEY

Are you in favor of or against term limits for committee chairmanships? Please explain. If in favor of term limits, how many terms are sufficient? I am against term limits for committee chair positions given the small size of the Council. If the Chair of the Council appoints someone who is unqualified to chair a Committee, then the Chair should be held accountable at the next election.

Ward 3 • DC Council • Democrat Age: 41 • Attorney www.beaufinley.com/ Why are you running for the D.C. Council? I believe strongly in the dignity of the person - that is the impetus for why I am running to represent Ward 3 and the font from which my proposals flow. Our government should not just be responsive to our current needs but also plan for our future needs. It must provide opportunities for all so that we, our children, and our grandchil-

What bill(s), if any, will you introduce within your first 100 days? I'd introduce several. I would like to close the loophole that allows public charter schools to keep at-risk and other student-based funding even after a student has left for a DC public school. I will propose an Acquisition Fund to allow the District to move nimbly to acquire property for critical facilities, including housing. I will work to cut healthcare costs via innovative tweaks like reinsurance and capping

D.C. COUNCIL Page 9

www.washingtoninformer.com / 2022 DC PRIMARY ELECTION VOTER GUIDE

V-8

D.C. COUNCIL from Page 8

Why are you running for the D.C. Council? I believe strongly in the dignity of the person - that is the impetus for why I am running to represent Ward 3 and the font from which my proposals flow. Our government should not just be responsive to our current needs but also plan for our future needs. It must provide opportunities for all so that we, our children, and our grandchildren can thrive. We need to elect leaders with experience, vision, and integrity, who will fight for all of us.

Are you in favor of or against term limits for committee chairmanships? Please explain. If in favor of term limits, how many terms are sufficient? I am against term limits for committee chair positions given the small size of the Council. If the Chair of the Council appoints someone who is unqualified to chair a Committee, then the Chair should be held accountable at the next election.

What bill(s), if any, will you introduce within your first 100 days? I'd introduce several. I would like to close the loophole that allows public charter schools to keep at-risk and other student-based funding even after a student has left for a DC public school. I will propose an Acquisition Fund to allow the District to move nimbly to acquire property for critical facilities, including housing. I will work to cut healthcare costs via innovative tweaks like reinsurance and capping prescription costs.

What do you consider to be the most important issues confronting your constituents? Public safety is the most common answer I hear from constituents, followed by a deep concern over the lack of affordable housing. Ward 3 residents are rightly concerned about the overcrowding in our schools, a disappointing District response to climate change, and the need to improve our transit options. I have specific proposals to address each of these issues on my website.

quite a bit: I led the push on my ANC to open the Ward 3 Short-Term Family Housing. I helped found Cleveland Park Main Street. I drafted changes to the Comprehensive Plan to make more housing possible in Cleveland Park that were adopted by Council. I also led on creating the Connecticut Ave bicycle lanes, which all Democratic candidates support.

This was all outside of my day job as a federal attorney working to expand internet access and making our nation's 911 networks more reliable.

How will you close economic gaps in your ward/across the District? We must end housing insecurity and close the education achievement gap. We can end housing insecurity by making housing affordable for all by building more affordable housing (those making up to $72,500 per year) and expanding rent control. To close the achievement gap, we need to prioritize funding for underperforming schools and reduce teacher turnover. We need sufficient special education teachers and social workers who are given the tools and time to work successfully with those students.

As a council member, how will you improve the quality of education in neighborhood schools based in your ward? We lack sufficient special education teachers and sufficient language and arts teachers in Ward 3 schools, among other issues. To address this in an equitable manner means bringing these teachers to all of the District's schools.

We can do so if we fully fund DCPS.

What have you done for your ward/across the District, either as an incumbent or challenger? I've done

What steps will you take to ensure more of your constituents can access affordable housing? I have a robust, comprehensive plan on my website - www.beaufinley.com. It consists of the following: 1. Establish an Acquisition Fund 2.

Invest in social housing 3. Have DC acquire a housing portfolio (reinvest profits into building affordable housing). 4. Expand rent control 5. Rezone downtown to mixed use, plus zoning for schools, libraries and grocery stores. 6. Expand IZ reqs to 10-15% 7. Use the Housing Production Trust Fund to buy units for <30% MFI housing similar to Montgomery County. WI

DEIRDRE BROWN

housing. Councilmembers can increase housing production through budgeting, legislation and request for amendments before the zoning commission. I am in favor of increasing the Housing Production Trust Fund with significantly more oversight. We need to utilize community land trust, social housing and tax incentives to reach our housing goals.

Ward 3 • Councilmember • Democrat Age: 50 • Title Company Owner Ward 3 www.DeirdreBrown4Ward3.com

What have you done for your ward/across the District, either as an incumbent or challenger? As the former ANC Commissioner in 3F04, I delivered solutions to Ward 3 constituents. As a member of the Soapstone & Melvin Hazen Parks & Trails Sub-Committee, I worked the environmental issues effecting Ward 3. As the ANC appointee to Mayor Bowser’s Homicide Elimination Task Force I gained the experience needed to develop common sense solutions to public safety concerns. I have two decades of experience as a housing advocate and have testifyied before the Council on housing legislation.

Why are you running for the D.C. Council? I am a third generation Washingtonian, a mother, a title company owner, housing advocate and former ANC commissioner.

I received a Juris Doctor from UDC, David A. Clarke School of Law where I worked 727 law clinic hours advocating for residents. I decided to run because the way that we have done things in the past has worked for some, but not for all. Ward 3 needs a Councilmember that will lead from a place of equity and inclusion as we work together to solve the challenges facing our ward.

Are you in favor of or against term limits for committee chairmanships? Please explain. If in favor of term limits, how many terms are sufficient? I am strongly in favor of term limits. As Councilmember I will introduce legislation to amend the Home Rule Charter so that terms are limited to two consecutive four year terms.

Term limits will help eliminate the political misdeeds we have seen in the past by long term incumbants, it will ensure turnover, and encourage indpendent judgement that is free of pressures from special interst groups.

What bill(s), if any, will you introduce within your first 100 days? As the Ward 3 Councilmember, I will introduce bills that will help make the District more affordable for our residents. I will propose a bill that will eliminate real property taxes for deisabled veterans. I will introduce a bill that will exempt the first $50,000 of income for retirees 65 years of age or old from personal income tax. I will introduce legislation that gives incentives to DC businesses to hire DC residents.

What do you consider to be the most important issues confronting your constituents? Housing affordability is the most important issue confronting Ward 3 residents. We need more housing units for seniors, families and workforce

MATTHEW FRUMIN Ward 3 • Councilmember • Democrat Age: 63 • Attorney www.fruminforward3.com Why are you running for the D.C. Council? Through my work as an ANC commissioner and Board member for Tenleytown Main Street, the Lisner Home and as a member of numerous Council and Mayoral taskforces, over the last close to 20 years, I have worked on issues relating to education, affordable housing, seniors, health, utilities, parks and delivered real results by listening and building coalitions around creative solutions. On the Council, I will be able to put my skills and experience to work to have an even larger positive impact.

Are you in favor of or against term limits for committee chairmanships? Please explain. If in favor of term limits, how many terms are sufficient? Against.

How will you close economic gaps in your ward/across the District? We must increase access to traditional and vocational education. I am in support of a Vocational Track, College Track, and Entrepreneur Track in our schools. This will allow students more options, like graduating with a career certificate or licensure, so that they can earn a living wage.There are many studies that show a direct correlation between poverty, lack of opportunity, and crime. Providing residents with the ability to earn a good living will close the economic gaps.

As a council member, how will you improve the quality of education in neighborhood schools based in your ward? I will address overcrowding, school maintenance and funding shortages in our schools. I will work to re-vamp the Special Education Program in DCPS, including but not limited to the assessment process, intervention response, IEP process and school placement. I will work to fund school-based health services in every DCPS, especially as it pertains to mental health services. We need to address the teacher retention problem with mentorships, educational support and living wages.

What steps will you take to ensure more of your constituents can access affordable housing? I will explore all options like community land trust, limited equity cooperatives, incentives to small landlords, social housing and small area plans. We need to identify where we can increase density, convert vacant buildings into residential or mixed use. As, the Ward 3 Councilmember I will advocate for affordable housing units at the Lord and Taylor site and the WMATA bus garage in Friendship Heights. In order to meet our housing needs we must take bold action, now. WI bill to provide $100 refillable Metro cards to all DC residents. I would move to make OSSE independent and begin to create accountability in our education space. I would push for full funding to bring pay for home healthcare workers. for example serving persons with Alzheimer's, and longterm care workers up to a level of a livable wage. We should have parity with our Birth to Three workers for those serving the other end of the lifecycle.

What do you consider to be the most important issues confronting your constituents? School overcrowding, public safety, affordable housing What have you done for your ward/across the District, either as an incumbent or challenger? I have been very active in the Ward and across the city on education issues, building a citywide advocacy organization with representatives from all eight Wards. I have led the Lisner Home in the process of securing the first ever Housing Production Trust Fund award in Ward 3 to build 93 units of deeply affordable senior housing. I have been a leader in Washington Interfaith Network (WIN) efforts to develop green jobs, support workers and attract affordable housing to Ward 3.

How will you close economic gaps in your ward/across the District? At the center of such an effort is education and investment to give all of our children the opportunities they deserve. Next is job training and the creation of well paying jobs in the new economy, including the green economy.

What bill(s), if any, will you introduce within your first 100 days? I would join in Charles Allen's Metro for All

V-9

2022 DC PRIMARY ELECTION VOTER GUIDE / www.washingtoninformer.com

D.C. COUNCIL Page 10

D.C. COUNCIL from Page 9

What steps will you take to ensure more of your constituents can access affordable housing? I am leading the As a council member, how will you improve the quality of education in neighborhood schools based in Lisner Home in building a 93 unit affordable housing project. I will press for additional affordable housing to be constructed your ward? The biggest school issue in Ward 3 is overcrowding and the best answer to overcrowding is to ensure that in new projects on private land and will look for ways to use public land and air rights over public buildings to create more opportunities for affordable housing. WI there are great neighborhood schools in all parts of the city. control and accountability for DC’s public schools–traditional and charter. 3) Economic development. Add housing, communal retail experiences and other amenities to better connect our neighborhoods and the larger community. Remove barriers for businesses to stay and grow in Ward 3 and throughout DC.

MONTE MONASH Ward 3 • DC Council • Democrat Age: 51 • Entrepreneur/small business owner www.MonashForWard3.com Why are you running for the D.C. Council? Ward 3 deserves a committed leader with a strong voice, who understands how to get things done in our city. I am a native Washingtonian, a 20-year homeowner in Ward 3, a long-standing civic volunteer, and an entrepreneur leading a black, woman-owned business. For over 15 years, I have built a company with a record of building trust to get things done. My intention as a councilmember is to ensure Ward 3 benefits from the city’s growth while preserving our neighborhoods’ unique characteristics.s.

What have you done for your ward/across the District, either as an incumbent or challenger? Service is in my blood. I served as chair of the mayor-appointed DC Public Library board of trustees, which oversees the ongoing transformation of DC’s 26 public libraries. I served on the ReOpen DC task force during the height of the pandemic and in various citywide, volunteer leadership roles with civic commissions and nonprofits supporting seniors, women and families, homeless residents and workforce development.

How will you close economic gaps in your ward/across the District? Let’s focus on housing, because its cost and availability is a citywide issue. Ward 3 should embrace more single-family housing, apartments, condominiums and rentals that are accessible to the full range of incomes and households – and residents of every race and ethnicity. Let’s subsidize more first-time home purchases, so more households have access to the benefits that come with ownership. For our settled seniors especially, I will advocate for stability in rents and property tax rates.

As a council member, how will you improve the quality of education in neighborhood schools based in Are you in favor of or against term limits for committee chairmanships? Please explain. If in favor of your ward? The excellent reputation of Ward 3’s public schools makes our community a popular place for families, stretchterm limits, how many terms are sufficient? I believe the DC Council should set its own rules outside of ethics. At ing our campuses’ capacity. We must expand existing schools, review feeder patterns and increase the number of schools in present, the Council chair proposes rules for adoption every two years. This is an opportunity for the Council as a body to the ward, including a new elementary and middle school, and the build-out of the MacArthur high school site. Also, more turn over committees. I do, however, believe there needs to be a stand-alone education committee. training for teachers and a bigger budget for specialists to support children with individual learning differences or physical What bill(s), if any, will you introduce within your first 100 days? I have four bills I would like to introduce special needs. in my first 100 days. 1) Ban single-use plastics with exceptions for items such as syringes. 2) Seniors ride free on public What steps will you take to ensure more of your constituents can access affordable housing? Ward 3’s comtransportation. 3) Require a portion of DC's Housing Production Trust Fund to be spent on flexible, affordable housing mercial corridors along transit lines must play a major role in a District-wide strategy to offer affordable housing located near emlike limited equity co-ops. 4) Raise the threshold of the death tax in the District to keep our long-time residents. ployment centers. I will work to ensure that affordable housing in Ward 3 is inclusive, with priority for units and programs going to What do you consider to be the most important issues confronting your constituents? 1) Neighborhood low- and moderate-income families, seniors, teachers and first responders.We can expand our housing stock by adopting proven safety. I support MPD’s request for more officers but will not sign off on reduced oversight. 2) Education. Continue mayoral models for affordability, such as social housing and limited equity co-ops. WI to build new schools to meet demand.As a former D.C. school teacher, I understand how public education works, how it can be improved, and how important it is to promote and maintain a good quality of life in Ward 3.

PHIL THOMAS Ward 3 • Councilmember • Democrat • Age: 36 Fromer Director of the Mayor's Office of the Clean City https://philforward3.com

What have you done for your ward/across the District, either as an incumbent or challenger? I am the only candidate in the race with community experience, government experience and proven results. I was the Ward 3 Liaison to the Mayor’s Office, where I was a problem solver and connected Ward 3 residents with District government agencies. I have served as a two term ANC commissioner and I am the current Chair of the Ward 3 Democrats. I have also fostered support for the Ward 3 Short-Term Family Housing site, helped with getting the Palisades Recreation Center and Hardy Park remodeled.

Why are you running for the D.C. Council? I am running on a platform called 3 S’s and an H. I am focused on Seniors, Schools, Safety and Housing. As Ward 3 Councilmember I want to bring a Senior Wellness Center to Ward 3, reduce overcrowding in our neighborhood schools, fight to maintain Mayoral control of our schools, drive down crime, and bring affordable housing so our teachers and public safety officers can live in the communities they serve.

How will you close economic gaps in your ward/across the District? As the next Ward 3 Councilmember, I will increase funding around education and career opportunities. I will increase funding to focus on vocational school, work with Jackson-Reed High School to help promote dual enrollment with the University of the District of Columbia, and continue to invest in apprenticeship programs in the District. Through these programs I know the city and the workforce will benefit by increasing job opportunities, relieving college debt and having more skilled workers

Are you in favor of or against term limits for committee chairmanships? Please explain. If in favor of term limits, how many terms are sufficient? I am in favor of term limits when it comes to committee chairmanships. I think three terms is sufficient for the council to be proficient and also create a transition plan.

As a council member, how will you improve the quality of education in neighborhood schools based in your ward? As a former D.C. school teacher, I understand how public education works, how it can be improved, and how important it is to promote and maintain a good quality of life in Ward 3.As a bridge builder and having been involved in the community for over a decade, I will continue to listen to parents to understand their concerns and what they want for their children. I support reducing overcrowding in our neighborhood schools by supporting a new high school and a new Elementary school.

What bill(s), if any, will you introduce within your first 100 days? Teacher Support Act - The Teacher Support Act would decrease teacher turnover by providing them a flexible work schedule, support the construction of workforce housing for teachers, and incentivize teachers around management training and how to further their careers in education. Senior Ride Free Act- The Seniors Ride Free Act will provide funding for seniors to ride free on Metro or Metrobus.

What do you consider to be the most important issues confronting your constituents? My priority will be to oppose any effort by the DC Council to reverse Mayoral control of public schools, which would take us back to the old days of underperforming schools and derelict school buildings. I will continue to push to keep Ward 3 schools great, and

What steps will you take to ensure more of your constituents can access affordable housing?

I support building more housing across the city and in Ward 3. It really comes down to working with the city and the residents to find realistic locations west of Rock Creek Park to put deeply affordable housing. I want to continue to invest in the Housing Production Trust Fund, ensuring that the trust fund meets its statutory requirements including passing the HPTF transparency amendment act which better allocates funding for deep affordable units. WI will uplift and encourage specifically the young people in our communities. I see my job as providing the necessary opportunities for our young people to raise their standard of living and prepare themselves to be competitive with all others for higher paying jobs. I believe if successful crime will be reduced in our communities.

ART LLOYD

Are you in favor of or against term limits for committee chairmanships? Please explain. If in favor of term limits, how many terms are sufficient? I am in favor of a (2) term limit requirement for all elected office. We are elected to be servants for the community, not to make ourselves comfortable in office.

Ward 5 • DC Council • Democrat Age: 71 • Retired Deputy U.S. Marshal Why are you running for the D.C. Council? Because of the low self esteem that is prevalent in many low income communities ,their is a need for a special kind of leadership who

D.C. COUNCIL Page 11

www.washingtoninformer.com / 2022 DC PRIMARY ELECTION VOTER GUIDE

V-10

D.C. COUNCIL from Page 10

providing food for the homeless and picking them up off the streets & taking them to shelters in the winter.

What bill(s), if any, will you introduce within your first 100 days? I will push for Re-establishment of mental health treatment centers for DC residence Revise Juvenile incarceration system to include education vocational job training programs , such as business entrepreneurship start up, and a 2 year college program to help provide an independent career path upon their release from prison.

How will you close economic gaps in your ward/across the District? With the 20 dollar minimum wage increase.

And the agreed upon city and landlord reduced rent program for those making low income.

What do you consider to be the most important issues confronting your constituents? A minimum wage increase to 20 dollars for city employees. In addition housing that allows reduced rents for low wage earners.

What have you done for your ward/across the District, either as an incumbent or challenger? Within the past 5 years I have worked as a mentor for previously incarcerated teenagers. I presently work part-time for shelter hot line

FAITH GIBSON HUBBARD Ward 5 • Council of the District of Columbia • Democrat • Age: 41 • Educator; Public Administrator www.faithforward5dc.org Why are you running for the D.C. Council? I am an advocate, educator, wife, mother, and public servant with a history of service to DC.I believe in the power of community.Addressing the issues facing our ward requires a responsive, accessible government, with holistic solutions that serves the needs of our ward and is informed with community-voice. I am a coalitions builder; believe the lived experiences of neighbors must be a part of solving the our pressing issues.I will always work with our community to make our ward stronger.

Are you in favor of or against term limits for committee chairmanships? Please explain. If in favor of term limits, how many terms are sufficient? I am in support of term limits for elected officials. I believe it is important to make room for new leadership and to provide opportunity for fresh ideas and energy.

What bill(s), if any, will you introduce within your first 100 days? -Expansion of apprenticeship and CTE programs -The development of a workforce housing fund -Expansion of community based mental health support -Expansion of senior housing supports - locally funded vouchers and overhauling the single-family rehab program to support seniors abilities to age in place -Expansion of small local business growth supports - the creation of a streamlined system of support, technical assistance, peer-to-peer mentorship and incubator support, access to capital, and more.

What do you consider to be the most important issues confronting your constituents? Issues such as the increasing cost of housing, a need for community-centered development, environmental justice, increasing issues of safety (both gun violence and safe streets); access to equitable city services, access to high-quality educational options from birth

GORDON FLECTCHER Ward 5 • DC Council • Democrat Age: 37 • Adjunct Professor, American University https://gordonforward5.com/ Why are you running for the D.C. Council? I am a three-term Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner representing 5A08. I have dealt with many of the same issues – at the Single Member District level – that I will face on the Council: zoning, affordable housing, crime, traffic safety, etc. I want to progress to the Council and create better collaborative ties between ANCs, civic associations, and the Council to address the many issues the city faces: the lack of affordable housing, improving the local economy and crime among many others.

Are you in favor of or against term limits for committee chairmanships? Please explain. If in favor of term limits, how many terms are sufficient? I am willing to explore term limits for Committee Chairmanships as that can bring in new viewpoints and perspectives to those committees and the Council. Two terms seems sufficient.

What bill(s), if any, will you introduce within your first 100 days? In my first 100 days I would introduce the Public Safety Community Taskforce Act to provide financial support for community-led policing.

The Small Business Improvement and Preservation Act provides a temporary commercial property tax waiver for legacy and new businesses to help them thrive in this still uncertain economy. The Vocational Training and Civic Education Amendment Act will implement vocational training and civics education in DCPS and DC Charter Schools starting in the 4th grade.

What do you consider to be the most important issues confronting your constituents? Three important issues we face are the lack of affordable housing, improving traffic safety and reducing violent crime.

V-11

As a council member, how will you improve the quality of education in neighborhood schools based in your ward? I am proposing an independent school board charged with settin up Saturday classes, night school programs and initiating summer always from home academic programs with student pay to prepare for college entrance.

What steps will you take to ensure more of your constituents can access affordable housing?

A written agreement between landlords and city to reduce rents for low wage earners.

WI

throughout life, supports for small business development, expanding employment access through apprenticeship and CTE trainings, supports and resources for returning citizens, and so much more.

What have you done for your ward/across the District, either as an incumbent or challenger? I have serve in various roles, building coalitions, working with community, to solve some of our most pressing issues. I was on the front lines - improving the quality of education in our ward; advocating with our neighbors to have two new middle schools built in the ward; secured funding to modernize our ward's libraries; a champion for student safe passage and it's connection to tackling the issues of community violence; leading our city's COVID-19 response as Director of Community Affairs.

How will you close economic gaps in your ward/across the District? Through innovative legislative action, and connecting neighbors to current resources, I believe we can close economic gaps. I will expand our universal basic income pilots/refundable tax credits for families and individuals; improve our child care/ education systems; I will work to expanding workforce development tools and programs (such as expanding apprenticeship and CTE programming); review our current tax structures; and tackle the issue of black homeownership and displacement.

As a council member, how will you improve the quality of education in neighborhood schools based in your ward? I want to focus on the following areas: Quality early learning; connections to workforce Predictable pathways from K-12th grade, with consistency of quality, and access to resources Family partnerships/building capacity Educators in decision-making Connections from high school to post-secondary education/training, and employers Student safety – safe passage and preventing violence Increasing mental health support capacity Closing the digital divide for seniors and communities.

What steps will you take to ensure more of your constituents can access affordable housing? I will focus on the following: Prioritizing low-income options for affordable units for rent Strengthening Safety Net Programs to Eliminate Housing Insecurity and Displacement Enabling long-time residents to age in place The Creation of Distinct Funding for Workforce Housing Expanding first-time homebuyers programs for multiple income levels and capacities Supporting programs designed to help residents progress in their homeownership and stay in the city. WI

We need to address the formulas that determine affordability to make sure they mesh with what residents can realistically pay. Traffic violence has injured, and cost the lives of, Ward 5 residents. We need to increase traffic enforcement and initiate a traffic calming plan across the ward. Lastly, we need to increase MPD foot patrols to help reduce crime in our communities.

What have you done for your ward/across the District, either as an incumbent or challenger? As ANC Commissioner I preserved rent-controlled housing for over 100 seniors and native Washingtonians and reestablished community-led safety patrols. I worked with DDOT and the National Park Service to improve the walkways in Fort Totten Park. In addition, I had several traffic calming measures installed in North Michigan Park and Fort Totten to make streets safer. Lastly, as Ward 5 Democrats Chair, I helped bring about the mail-in ballot system we enjoy today.

How will you close economic gaps in your ward/across the District? The District has relied too heavily on the federal government and tourism for its economic growth. The COVID pandemic hurt these segments, and movement patterns aren’t likely to return to pre-pandemic levels any time soon. We must diversify to close economic gaps across the District. To do so we must focus on supporting legacy small businesses (15 years and older) and the creation of new businesses in Ward 5. Additionally, we must incentive new jobs going to Ward 5 residents.

As a council member, how will you improve the quality of education in neighborhood schools based in your ward? Your local school should be your best option, not a last resort. We need to provide evidence-based funding for all schools based on the school’s, and the school community’s, specific needs so that (a.) the buildings are safe to learn in and (b.) students can learn and be competitive with their peers across the city.

Without equity in access to a high-quality education, we will continually fail students.

What steps will you take to ensure more of your constituents can access affordable housing?

The key is to ensure that inclusionary zoning laws apply throughout the District of Columbia. Since the passing of inclusionary zoning, our Comprehensive Plans have allowed wide swaths of the city to be exempt from the inclusion of affordable housing in new developments. Major development zones such as NoMa are not required to include income-restricted units, while market-rate rents exclude low to moderate income renters and condominium buyers WI

2022 DC PRIMARY ELECTION VOTER GUIDE / www.washingtoninformer.com

provements until you address public safety. Safety is the basic foundation of our aspirations for the Ward and our city. Many residents are working multiple jobs to make ends meet and there is an urgent need to improve employment outcomes.Health disparities, illiteracy and general inequalities continue to undermine the quality of life for many Ward 5 residents.

KATHY HENDERSON Ward 5 • Councilmember • Democrat • www.kathyhendersonfordccouncil.com

Why are you running for the D.C. Council? I am running for the Ward 5 Council seat because I have an actual record of improving the paradigm for my community, making it safer, stronger, more livable and valuable. I advocated for and delivered new sidewalks, streetlights, paved alleys, traffic signals, speed humps and trees. I fought illegal dumping, drug and gun trafficking and was featured in People and Essence magazines and won numerous awards for my work.rs.

Are you in favor of or against term limits for committee chairmanships? Please explain. If in favor of term limits, how many terms are sufficient? I believe the Council Chairman should respond immediately when there are complaints regarding councilmembers serving as committee chairpersons.There are unresolved complaints regarding the Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety chairman and he should be removed. Changing committee chairmanships during the beginning of each Council period is a good idea to improve performance.

What bill(s), if any, will you introduce within your first 100 days? I plan to assess every Ward 5 community within my first 100 days in office to address infrastructure issues such as the need for new sidewalks, pothole repair, streetlight repairs, speed humps and similar quality of life improvements. I will convene community meetings to hear from residents regarding their concerns before I introduce any legislation.

What do you consider to be the most important issues confronting your constituents?

The most important issue facing Ward 5 is crime and the need to immediately improve public safety. You cannot credibly address the need for viable economic development throughout the Ward, including school and affordable housing im-

What have you done for your ward/across the District, either as an incumbent or challenger? I have served as a ten-term, effective, award-winning advisory neighborhood commissioner in Ward 5. I have advocated relentlessly and delivered safety and infrastructure improvements, making my community more valuable and sought after. Again, I am responsible for facilitating the installation of new sidewalks, paved alleys, trees, streetlights, traffic signals and resolving nuisance housing, abandoned autos and dumping issues. I facilitated the court-ordered installation of the dental suite at the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services and served as a member of the DC Historic Preservation Review Board.

How will you close economic gaps in your ward/across the District? I will communicate with all Ward 5 residents regarding available resources that will improve quality of life. I will establish a public/private partnership to improve literacy for our children and adults. Mastering literacy provides residents with an essential tool to gainful employment. I will also provide vigorous Council oversight for District agencies, including the DC Office of Human Rights to ensure my constituents have equal access to resources and opportunities. I will level the playing field for Ward 5 reside As a council member, how will you improve the quality of education in neighborhood schools based in your ward? I will regularly visit all Ward 5 schools and monitor performance, including reviewing attendance records and regularly meet with Ward 5 parents to improve engagement. I will ensure that I am present for Council hearings to provide vigorous Council oversight and I will take corrective action when necessary.

What steps will you take to ensure more of your constituents can access affordable housing? First, the city has to actually facilitate the production of additional affordable housing. I will review the District Opportunity to Purchase Act (DOPA) to expand affordable housing opportunities, always support full funding for the Housing Production Trust Fund and review inclusionary zoning provisions to expand affordable housing. I will vociferously advocate for Ward 5 residents.

WI

of violence and trauma. We all deserve safe and clean communities that meet people’s needs by addressing the root causes of violence through trauma-informed community work and holding those who commit violence accountable. 2) Generations of Washingtonians have been displaced from this city, including members of my family. We must expand homeownership programs as well as permanently affordable housing models (such as land trusts and social housing) to build generational wealth.

ZACHARY PARKER Ward 5 • Councilmember • Democrat • Age: 35 www.zacharyforward5.com Why are you running for the D.C. Council? I’m running to change systems that fail working families like mine. My oldest brother struggled with an unsupportive school system while my middle brother went through a long battle with kidney failure and a health system that treated him like a problem, not a human being. We must emerge from the pandemic without repeating cycles of violence, trauma, displacement, and corruption. My campaign is a movement to build healthy communities where the government meets the needs of our neighbors.

Are you in favor of or against term limits for committee chairmanships? Please explain. If in favor of term limits, how many terms are sufficient? I am open to term limits, which can promote new energy and leadership in our politics. I would support term limits that would restrict a Councilmember to serving no more than two consecutive 4-year terms and no more than 4 terms total. I believe this system will promote mentorship between older and younger public servants.And I think Committee chairmanships should rotate and be more democratic, so that the Council Chair does not have all the power to appoint and decide these critical roles.

What bill(s), if any, will you introduce within your first 100 days? Healthy Communities Act - assess each neighborhood’s access to groceries and restaurants, requiring investments to achieve balance A Safer DC Act - Create a comprehensive public-health crisis team through 911, with mental health, trauma, and addiction support services Reclaim Rent Control Act - Expand rent control to buildings built after 1975, including 4-unit buildings to manage skyrocketing rent costs Black Homeownership Act - Expand HPAP and tax benefits for longtime residents to buy homes What do you consider to be the most important issues confronting your constituents? 1) Stopping cycles

What have you done for your ward/across the District, either as an incumbent or challenger? As the Ward 5 representative and president of the State Board of Education, I fought to increase funding for Ward 5 schools and secure funding to rehab Spingarn Highschool and the old Crummell School. I distributed care packages to seniors during the pandemic, I organized neighbors to help 3,000 residents get vaccinated, and I helped sign up over 100 seniors for STAY DC to keep them in their homes. I also joined neighbors in successfully blocking Ward 5 from losing land in redistricting.

How will you close economic gaps in your ward/across the District? Equitable investments in community and generational wealth. I will work to increase access to good-paying jobs, invest in co-op businesses, and ensure Black and brown homeowners are protected. I will prioritize communities that lack core amenities: grocery stores, good schools, affordable housing, and local businesses. I will also push to reform grant-making for Black-, Native-, and women-owned small businesses and enforce hiring requirements for government contractors.

As a council member, how will you improve the quality of education in neighborhood schools based in your ward? I’ve delivered for Ward 5 as President of our school board, and as a Councilmember I will make sure Ward 5’s school needs are met. DC’s system of school choice must start with a great neighborhood school.Therefore, I will work to strengthen our neighborhood schools by expanding trade and apprentice programs in middle and high schools, focusing on literacy instruction, expanding school-based mental health, and offering a well-rounded curriculum and low-barrier after-school options.

What steps will you take to ensure more of your constituents can access affordable housing? We must expand targeted affordable housing for our seniors, low-income neighbors, and LGBTQ+ youth. We must expand the HPAP program to increase opportunities for home ownership. I would also prioritize expanding investments in housing vouchers, ensuring the DC Housing Authority maintains clean and safe properties. I will also work to expand successful models of community ownership that provide permanently affordable housing, like community land trusts, social housing, and limited equity co-ops. WI Ending the requirement for barbering and other over-regulated professions. Ending the operation of the H St. Trolley Car.

NATE DERENGE

What do you consider to be the most important issues confronting your constituents? Public Safety What have you done for your ward/across the District, either as an incumbent or challenger? I own a home and take care of it. I own a condo and provide housing for 3 young professionals. I have a job and pay thousands in taxes. I pick up trash on occasion. I volunteer at my church regularly and at local organizations when asked.

Ward 8 • Chair of Council • Republican Age: 33 • Supply Chain Analyst www.nateforchair.com

Why are you running for the D.C. Council? Taxes are too high for me. The catch-andrelease for violent Dog Nappers and car jackers needs to stop. the Council needs to show more oversight on local agencies to cut the fraud, waste, and abuse.

Are you in favor of or against term limits for committee chairmanships? Please explain. If in favor of term limits, how many terms are sufficient? Yes. Mix it up. 1 term is sufficient.

What bill(s), if any, will you introduce within your first 100 days? Outlawing abortions after the first 31 weeks.

How will you close economic gaps in your ward/across the District? Lower taxes and eliminate regulations that present obstacles to job creators.

As a council member, how will you improve the quality of education in neighborhood schools based in your ward? The responsibility of a child's education is with the parents. The government oversight responsibilities lie with the school board and superintendent.

What steps will you take to ensure more of your constituents can access affordable housing? Decrease subsidized housing to free up the supply of market-rate housing to increase the quality and safety of our communities. WI

www.washingtoninformer.com / 2022 DC PRIMARY ELECTION VOTER GUIDE

V-12

D.C. ATTORNEY GENERAL CANDIDATES BRIAN SCHWALB Ward 3 • Democrat • Age: 54 Attorney • www.brianfordc.com How will you balance your obligation to the D.C. government and District residents in times when their interests are not aligned? I will exercise the judgment and discretion developed over nearly 30 years of my diverse and active law practice to advise and defend the city while executing my commitment to protecting the public interest. By providing sound, constructive, practical legal advice to the executive branch, and by being an independent AG that simultaneously holds the executive branch accountable, I will lead OAG to maximize the effectiveness of the District’s agencies in serving the needs of Washingtonians.

As attorney general, what priority will you give consumer rights protections? I will aggressively enforce our consumer protection, false claims & anti-discrimination laws. In addition to collaborating with other State AGs to address nationwide unfair and deceptive practices that harm DC residents, OAG will prioritize enforcement against actors that: (i) mislead homeowners (often seniors) into selling their homes below fair market value (ii) engage in predatory/ discriminatory lending and price gouging & (iii) induce residents desperate to own a home into buying “lemons.”

What changes will you seek in the realm of tenants' rights and how will you tackle that issue? I will ensure that OAG (i) holds accountable slumlords who engage in illegal constructive eviction (ii) enforces laws that

BRUCE SPIVA Ward 4 • Democrat • Age: 56 Attorney • www.spivafordcag.com How will you balance your obligation to the D.C. government and District residents in times when their interests are not aligned? The AG is the lawyer for the DC government and the people of DC. By creating an independent elected AG position, the Council and District voters ensured that OAG can protect the public interest first and foremost, even when carrying out its statutory duty to defend District agencies and officials. In those instances when the Administration is failing to comply with the law, the AG must do everything in his power to ensure that the Administration is acting lawfully and in the public interest.

As attorney general, what priority will you give consumer rights protections? Consumer rights protections will be one of my top priorities. I founded and managed my own law firm where I represented consumers harmed by unfair, fraudulent, or anticompetitive practices. Being a plaintiffs’ consumer lawyer is part of my DNA. As AG, I will vigorously pursue companies that harm District residents and will go after abusive debt collectors, protect residents from unscrupulous businesses, crack down on elder financial abuse, and enforce our antitrust laws.

What changes will you seek in the realm of tenants' rights and how will you tackle that issue?

RYAN JONES Ward 5 • Democrat • Age: 37 Attorney • www.ryanjonesforag.com How will you balance your obligation to the D.C. government and District residents in times when their interests are not aligned? If we must advise (and even find funding for) residents to obtain outside counsel during preliminary disputes or the District Government based on considerations of conflicts of interest and cost benefit analysis, then the parties can enter into negotiations or other conflict resolutions.

As attorney general, what priority will you give consumer rights protections? I believe consumer rights is an essential part of the job and office, and I will continue to prioritize it, along with the agenda items I have identified.

V-13

require landlords to provide safe, habitable housing & (iii) pursues landlords/property managers who discriminate against tenants/potential tenants, including those who receive vouchers or other assistance. I will also ensure that (i) developers comply with contractual commitments to provide affordable housing & (ii) avoid displacement of existing tenants.

What’s your position on a woman’s right to choose? I will use every statutory, constitutional, regulatory, common law and political argument available to ensure that a woman’s right to choose remains legal, safe and accessible in our city.

Abortion care is a critical part of reproductive healthcare, and attacks on a woman’s bodily autonomy signal a dangerous erosion of other privacy rights. I will fight to ensure that DC remains a place that cares for patients who reside here and travel here in search of safe reproductive healthcare.

What’s your assessment of the penalties given to violent offenders? The DC OAG prosecutes only crimes committed by youth. I believe that (i) rehabilitation of youth makes our city safer because it reduces recidivism & (ii) repeat violent offenders must be held accountable. My OAG will evaluate relevant facts, examine applicable recidivism rates, and if commitment is appropriate, ensure that the DYRS meets each child’s needs. I will direct resources to address root causes/interrupt cycles of violence and deploy appropriate diversion/restorative justice programs.

What do you hope to accomplish in your first 100 days and how will you do so? My first priorities will be to: (i) retain/recruit the expert team of lawyers and legal professionals who carry out the vital work of the OAG, & (ii) establish a constructive working relationship with the Mayor/District agencies. Other priorities include protecting workers from wage theft, residents from slumlords, seniors from financial exploitation, the environment from pollution, borrowers from predatory lenders, and consumers from scammers.

WI

As Attorney General, I will be a champion for tenants’ rights. I will go after slumlords who force tenants to live in unsafe, unhealthy conditions and bad actors who cheat tenants out of their rights under DC law. I will enforce developers’ promises to build affordable housing units and newly-enacted rights for tenants in the eviction and application process. Finally, I will partner with tenants and community-based organizations to find and pursue remedies against bad actors.

What’s your position on a woman’s right to choose? I strongly support a woman's constitutional right to choose. If the leaked decision becomes finalized, the DC Attorney General may well have a leadership role in protecting the reproductive rights of DC residents. I will not hesitate to use all the powers of my office, as well as the nationwide bully pulpit the office affords, both to protect the rights of DC residents, as well as those who come here to obtain a safe, legal abortion.

What’s your assessment of the penalties given to violent offenders? I believe that violent offenders should be held accountable, that violent offenders should be off the streets. I also believe we need to go after ghost guns and gun manufacturers to the fullest extent allowed by law. That said, with respect to juvenile justice, we must never forget that these are our children. In discussions of crime, commentators too often suggest a choice between reforming the system and public safety. It’s simply not true. Reforming the system will increase public safety.

What do you hope to accomplish in your first 100 days and how will you do so? I will focus on listening to, supporting and recruiting the professionals who staff the OAG. My experience over three decades is that you are only as good as your team. In order to accomplish my policy priorities, we must recruit and retain as many qualified, diverse, and motivated public interest professionals as possible. My biggest substantive priorities are housing justice, public safety and criminal justice reform, workers’ rights and consumer protection, and child support.

WI

What changes will you seek in the realm of tenants' rights and how will you tackle that issue?

This is an access to justice issue. Tenants need lawyers. We must fund resources for Tenants to have access to counsel when their rights are on the line. Moreover, we must pass legislation that meet the needs of many DC tenants.

What’s your position on a woman’s right to choose? It must be a woman's right to choose. And Attorneys General and legislators must use the courts and legislative bodies to reach that end.

What’s your assessment of the penalties given to violent offenders? I believe punishment must be commensurate with the crime and harm done. We must specifically deter and generally deter residents from engaging in such conduct in the future by being exacting and appropriate with the punishment to balance relief for the offender and the harm caused to the victim.

What do you hope to accomplish in your first 100 days and how will you do so? I would like to establish: 1) A taskforce to revise the DC Code 2) An Expungement Clinic 3) An Estate Planning Clinic 4) Have a Cybersecurity Department 5) Build out a team with a vision to execute the goals of government and public advocacy to have the District become the blueprint for using the law to keep residents safe and empowered.

WI

2022 DC PRIMARY ELECTION VOTER GUIDE / www.washingtoninformer.com

D.C. HOUSE DELEGATE CANDIDATES KELLY WILLIAMS

Total number of Candidates: 4 Rev. Wendy Hamilton [info@revwendyforcongress.com] Kelly Mikel Williams [ikellymikelfordc@gmail.com] Nelson Rimensnyder [i lmnicker@gmail.com] Eleanor Norton [icitizenstoelectnorton@gmail.com]

Ward 8 • Democrat • Age: 55 Caregiver - Entrepreneur https://kellymikelfordc.com

REV. WENDY HAMILTON Ward 8 • Democrat • Age: 53 • Counselor www.revwendyforcongress.com Why do you want to represent District residents in Congress? I’m running for Congress/ DC Delegate to represent the broad voices and diverse interests of residents across all 8 wards of our great city. I want to bring tangible solutions for our residents that will help us move beyond the status quo in our city to a new chapter that includes DC Statehood, UBI and so much more. It’s time for a representative who has the future of DC in mind and the policy platform to get us there.

What do you hope to accomplish in the first 100 days of the next Congress? What can be done in the next Congress during the first 100 days will depend on the balance of power at that time. If the Democrats pick up Senate seats that would change the entire dynamic on the Hill. With an increased Democratic majority we might finally be able to get DC Statehood passed , voting rights legislation and other significant bills. I would begin working on Day 1 in the House to move DC Statehood (H.R. 51) through the chamber and secure the support needed to get it passed What will you do to ensure the funds from the president’s infrastructure bill come to the District? I would reiterate the importance of DC's funding priorities being distributed in the manner in which they were identified and work in conjunction with the Mayor's Office to deliver them. I would adamantly push back on any resistance from the GOP that would seek to see the amounts reduced or intended recipients changed. It is unfortunate that we have to be subject to this type of partisan meddling in our affairs. It makes the case for Statehood stronger.

What steps will you take to close the education gap in D.C.? As a current DCPS employee I get the opportunity first hand to see the impacts of the education gap amongst our students. Their are immediate interventions needed to bring our black and brown students up to par. In Congress, I would support measures to provide investments in enhanced broadband access, increase funding for tutors/mentors and after school programming, vouchers for families to receive reduced tuition for educational based support programs and reinstate vocational education.

How will you tackle gun violence in the District and concerns about police accountability? From a Federal standpoint I would support bills like the George Floyd Policing Act (H.R. 1280) which seeks to establish standards for police accountability across the country including limiting qualified immunity as a defense in brutality cases. Additionally I would support all measures to ban assault rifles (AR-15's) and get them off our streets. There are too many guns (and ghost guns) making their way into the hands of DC youth/young adults. We have to cut this plague off at the root.

What is your greatest accomplishment in the last five years that has benefited D.C.? How has it helped D.C.?

My work as an Attendance/Truancy Counselor with DC students/ families to help them overcome their obstacles to educational progress has been the most gratifying work I've accomplished in the last five years toward making DC stronger.

I've worked to connect families with educational resources, legal services , food and shelter options, and financial assistance. I've testified on behalf of students and their families who were facing separation as well as provided emotional and spiritual support.

How will you tackle gun violence in the District? As mentioned above, I believe gun violence is tied to a number of issues including the proliferation of and access to guns on our streets, lack of employment opportunities, poverty and economic instability. Let's fund more recreation centers, activities and programs for young people to attend, Let's support our violence interrupters and agencies on the ground working everyday on the front lines to reduce gun violence.

Let's provide families with more trauma informed support resources.

How will you advance the statehood agenda in a Republican-controlled Congress? * I would approach it with the same vigor I would in a Democratic Congress, because I don't believe Statehood is or should be a partisan issue. DC Statehood is a human rights issue, a voting rights issue and most importantly a racial justice issue. I'd secure the sponsors necessary to get it passed through the House, and I'd work to cultivate relationships with reasonable Republicans who could assist in making the case for Statehood to their Senate colleagues. . WI

Why do you want to represent District residents in Congress? Because African-Americans are being pushed, shoved & priced out of DC, we must have someone in Congress with a new vision and energy to fight for the issues impacting our daily lives like housing, jobs, education, healthcare & crime.

I’ve worked at every level of government I know how to get the job done. I’ve lived on the streets; dealt with trauma & I’ve overcome. I’m the best person to address the issues of today and those coming tomorrow.

What do you hope to accomplish in the first 100 days of the next Congress? I will get additional funding for homelessness. I will introduce legislation to give our AG the powers of the U.S. Attorney, allowing him to manage all crimes committed in DC. I will also bring probation under his authority in conjunction with DOC. I will expand funding to UDC for workforce development. I will reintroduce the bill for DC Statehood.

Lastly, I will introduce a bill removing the 3/5 clause from the constitution and making African-Americans whole and complete citizens.

What will you do to ensure the funds from the president’s infrastructure bill come to the District? To ensure our federal dollars aren’t repurposed I will fiercely advocate for the dollars that were allocated to the District. I will work with the Speaker and President to ensure there’s no deviation from the bill. If there is talk of the District losing any dollars, I will reach out to members with similar infrastructure needs and get their support for our funds. We will work with all members to safeguard and secure that our dollars are not repurposed for other jurisdictions or programs.

What steps will you take to close the education gap in D.C.? DC spends the most on early childhood education. We do a great job starting but a poor job finishing. Many students drop out before they begin high school. I will seek to ensure our schools receive their full funding. I will establish more community centers with tutoring/educational programs. I will work with community groups to give every low-income student a laptop and broadband access to enable them to be able to continue to do coursework even when they arrive home.

How will you tackle gun violence in the District and concerns about police accountability? I want the 32 police agencies in DC to work together as one unit & patrol the city & clean up our streets by confiscating guns & reducing crime. This will create a deterrent when traffic stops patrols in neighborhoods & arrests are made by unfamiliar agencies. I will fund CCTVs across the city to help apprehend those committing gun violence. Police will face severe penalties for not having their body cameras on or failing to report any misconduct by a fellow officer.

What is your greatest accomplishment in the last five years that has benefited D.C.? How has it helped D.C.?

My greatest accomplishment was seeing my son survive our time of homelessness, complete his primary education with straight-A’s from 1st to 12th grades & graduate from Eastern w/4.6gpa, & get accepted by 12 D1 Universities. Additionally, I was instrumental in: •Helping bring awareness for the $15min wage to become law •Getting CBE/SBE access to 50% of DC Govt $1B contracts •DC G.E.D Graduates receive their HS Diploma Each of these accomplishments has impacted the incomes of District residents.

How will you tackle gun violence in the District? We must have an all-hands-on-deck approach to address gun violence. In the immediate, use buy-back programs & apprehension of gun offenders. I will provide life skills & vocational training in schools to prevent gun violence before it ever starts. We must attack the root issues that motivate someone to use a gun & commit a violent act. & offer mental health services for everyone to treat trauma & provide conflict resolution instead of violence. We must stop putting band-aids on wounds.

How will you advance the statehood agenda in a Republican-controlled Congress? * The truth is Democrats are blocking DC Statehood & 54% of Americans believe DC should be a state. We’ll produce a documentary like a state tourism video to promote statehood across the country, outlining the unconstitutionality of taxation without representation & its economic impact on Americans. I believe that by educating the nation on the economic & constitutionality we can get voters to lobby their state legislatures to support a constitutional amendment to give DC statehood. WI

www.washingtoninformer.com / 2022 DC PRIMARY ELECTION VOTER GUIDE

V-14

Matthew Frumin – Ward 3 We need to pass and implement the No Senior Hungry legislation. Pursuant to it we would create an inter-agency taskforce focused on this issue, develop a senior food security plan as well as a solid communications plan to ensure that seniors are fully aware of the services that can be made available to them, take aggressive steps to increase senior participation in SNAP programs, increase adult day care where seniors can get meals and expand the EPD Waiver to include home-delivered meals.

Robert White We have an unprecedented opportunity to leverage billions of dollars in federal infrastructure funding to bring universal broadband to our entire city and make the speeds fast enough to support every facet of life from education to entertainment.

I will execute on this potential and make sure all residents can benefit from this investment. I will empower local organizations that are already doing the work to support seniors who are adjusting to an increasingly technical world.

There are more than 30 government-funded services and programs to help seniors get enough food. Still, according to more than one source over 13 percent of seniors in the District are experiencing food insecurity. If elected, what policies and strategies would you implement to help ensure that no District senior goes without nutritious meals?

Sabel Harris – Ward 1 I want to introduce a program similar to one in North Carolina that will allow for seniors to use Medicare dollars to afford nutritious meals. (https://bit.ly/38Ijg2k) It also seems like these programs need a centralized place to operate out of and I will work with Department of Aging and Community Living to ensure that these are cohesive programs working together vs. separate fragments operating at random.

Mayoral Candidates James Butler I’m have a proposal to make METRO entirely free. This will help seniors in wards, east of the river, the ability to access foods and fresh Produce easily from other parts of the city. We will also work with meals on wheels, Uber eats, to ensure that every single year has easy access to food availability for food delivery. We will ensure that seniors that are aging in place are getting enough food access by supplementing any deficiencies that they may have to through a voucher program.

Faith Gibson Hubbard – Ward 5 I would use the Council's ability to have oversight of our current programs to find ways to streamline the programmatic focus and to support efforts for collaborative action. I will work closely with agencies and community based programs to find opportunities for partnership and work to determine the best ways to appropriate funding/execute implementation to directly meet the need. We must expand the thresholds for offering support to all seniors, as access to food is a need of many seniors.

D.C. Council Chair Candidates Erin Palmer I have consistently supported establishing a plan and timeline for municipal Internet. In some cases, government programs exist to help lower-income residents but are not funded or supported at the scale needed to meaningfully close the digital divide. The DC Council must require and engage in oversight to ensure coordinated government action to determine gaps in Internet access, as well as a plan for broadening municipal Internet and ensuring its reliability to meet needs.

Robert White We need to shift focus from larger grocery retailers to smaller, local ones. This strategy will help us pull fresh produce from the region and increase the number of food options for seniors while employing residents who live in these communities. I’ll expand partnerships with meal/food delivery services to assist seniors facing mobility and transit challenges. Lastly, I’ll continue to fund the community dining program to ensure that our LGBTQ seniors are well-nourished and avoid isolation.

Art Lloyd – Ward 5 Maintain records of seniors addresses phone numbers and have city workers as- D.C. Council Candidates signed to visit seniors weekly or bi-weekly.

Deirdre Brown - Ward 3 We need to establish a sustainable, long-term solution that will establish low-cost, Monte Monash – Ward 3 fast and reliable internet service citywide. We can start by expanding our broadband I have some understanding of this issue from the work I do with senior organiza- infrastructure and subsidize internet costs for under resourced communities. We tions, but I would want to examine the root causes of persistent food insecurity. know that high speed internet is not a luxury it is needed in order to succeed in Some reasons include lack of access to stores with healthy food in smaller portions, schools, obtain a job and to stay connected. technological barriers to accessing financial and program assistance, in-home barriers to food storage and preparation, and stigma from accepting help. In addition Nate Derenge - Ward 8 to streamlining DC services, we need to work with private organizations as our part- There are already at least 6 internet service providers around the District, overlapners. ping each other in regards to their service area. I think that is a adequate solution.

The following questions are provided by AARP-DC

D.C. Council Chair Candidates Erin Palmer I am dedicated to ending senior hunger through increasing funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Produce Plus, and Produce Rx; expanding Community Dining Sites run by the Department of Aging and Community Living; and making permanent home meal delivery programs initiated in response to the coronavirus pandemic and expanding eligibility for these programs.The DC Council can ensure access to healthy foods in every community by better targeting incentives for grocery stores.

Phil Mendelson Not only have I supported full funding for the Department of Aging and Community Living, but I proposed changes (which were adopted) to the Mayor’s proposed budget to provide 100% of the funding requested by the Fair Food for All DC Coalition.

D.C. Council Candidates Deirdre Brown - Ward 3 Food insecurity rates are high for Ward 3 seniors. We need to increase outreach efforts so that seniors and their loved ones know what is available to them like SNAP, adult day care services, or Medicaid-funded home delivered meals and nutrition services. This is why I am in support of the No Senior Hungry Omnibus Amendment Act of 2021 and similarly situated legislation. This has to be a collaborative approach if we are going to effectively address the needs of our seniors.

Nate Derenge - Ward 8 The Seniors have survived for decades, i won't insult their intelligence by creating programs for them to eat.

Beau Finley – Ward 3 Here's my plan: - Expand Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program eligibility to include more Seniors; - Develop and implement a communications plan to let Seniors know of various nutrition assistance programs; - Lower barriers to sign up through a lead-agency approach using the Department of Aging and Community Living as a "one-stop shop" for Seniors to learn about and sign up for assistance; - Establish a Medicaid waiver for home-delivered meals and medical nutrition therapy.

Gordon Fletcher – Ward 5 I would call for an assessment of the services and programs to address their effectiveness and efficiency to the need. I would also assess the senior population to determine the true scope of need in the city. Where gaps exist, I would call upon partnerships with non-profits servicing the food insecure, to address deficiencies.

Brianne K. Nadeau – Ward 1 I have been proud to support nutrition access programs for seniors such as Produce Plus, Produce Rx, Healthy Corners, food delivery programs established during the pandemic to replace the congregate meals at our senior centers, and I am working now in my committee to increase SNAP benefits.

Zachary Parker – Ward 5 I support establishing a Senior Food Insecurity Task Force and expanding seniors villages to connect seniors to neighbors that can support them. We should increase SNAP food assistance under the Give SNAP a Raise Act, and simplify that application process. I would expand the number of senior wellness centers and integrate them into our rec center infrastructure. And I will work to coordinate across our many programs and services to improve senior outreach so no senior goes hungry.

Phil Thomas – Ward 3 Seniors in the District struggle to obtain enough food to live a healthy lifestyle.

The No Senior Hungry Act focused on better defining who are food insecure and identifying the root causes. I will address this by spearheading a brick-and-mortar senior wellness center in Ward 3. I will make sure the No Senior Hungry Act remains funded and if seniors can’t attend a senior wellness center then they would receive home-delivered meals and medical nutrition therapy to the medicaid waiver.

Many nonprofit organizations, city agencies such as the DC Public Libraries, and places of worship in the District provide access to the internet in under-resourced communities. While these institutions provide a bridge, the District needs a better strategy to close the digital divide. If elected, what would you do to ensure a strong infrastructure plan is developed and executed, bringing these groups and others to the table?

Mayoral Candidates James Butler My first year in office I will work to ensure that the entire city is broadband… Meaning you can go anywhere in the city and access free broadband. There are a number of US cities that has this already… And there is no reason why the nations capital should not have it today. I will bring it. I will further have courses for seniors to become more computer and Internet efficient.

Phil Mendelson I agree the District needs a better strategy to close the digital divide. With the recent federal infrastructure bill the District will receive millions of dollars and I will insist that the Mayor provide the Council with her spending plan and how she'll close the digital divide. I am especially focused on education, and in that regard I will soon mark up and move to the Council a digital access bill (Bill 24-77) for schools, requiring a plan and ensuring that the digital divide will be closed.

Beau Finley – Ward 3 I worked hard to close the Digital Divide on Tribal lands while at the FCC. Connectivity is a necessity in the 21st century. We need to make sure our low-income and fixed-income households participate in the Lifeline program. The lack of devices is the biggest obstacle to closing the digital divide, but the growth of telehealth provides us with the ability to get connected devices into homes through Medicaid and Medicare, and we should leverage that to ensure connectivity at all ages.

Gordon Fletcher – Ward 5 We need to determine where the greatest need exists, then look at existing resources from the Federal Communications Commission, and service providers to connect those in need. For those that cannot afford a publicly available option, the city should be a tasked with suppling access for free based on need. As the nation’s capital, we must be an example. Therefore, we must address our infrastructure and collaborate with service providers to ensure every home in DC has access to the internet.

Matthew Frumin – Ward 3 As is the goal with schools, we should strive to make tablets and hot spots as available as possible. OCTO is in the process of doing this including through providing technical support. We should also be working with internet service providers to create incentives for them to provide discounted service to low income residents taking advantage of the Biden Administration Affordable Connectivity Program.

Sabel Harris – Ward 1 I believe we need to start taking steps to establishing our internet/WiFi as a public utility instead of something only the select few can access. This divide is especially impacting seniors and we must ensure they are not only brought to the table but that they have a seat and are centered in our solutions. The government can centralize this by working with private companies, making data transparent on problem areas, and providing education on technology directly to seniors.

Faith Gibson Hubbard – Ward 5 I wholeheartedly agree with bringing more partners to the table to meet the need and to ensure that resources are reaching more of our neighbors to bridge the divide. I would look to some of the best practices and lessons learned from the pandemic to find ways to learn how we can continue to expand access. We learn

AARP Page 16

V-15

2022 DC PRIMARY ELECTION VOTER GUIDE / www.washingtoninformer.com

AARP from Page 15

be said in Wards 7 and 8 especially. I would work to support my colleagues on the Council to increase access and quality of health care citywide. Expanding telehealth – and in-home internet access – is another part of the overall solution.

so much from learning from home access for students. I would also want to explore other best practices from other jurisdictions about how we can move swiftly to meet the need.

Art Lloyd – Ward 5 Monitor Libraries and agency’s working with seniors weekly setting program activi- Phil Mendelson ties which make use of computer training.

I led efforts to put funding in the budget to build a new hospital EOTR, now under construction; made quality appoints to the Health Equity Commission tasked with Monte Monash – Ward 3 focusing on how to reduce racial and ethnic disparities in health outcomes; with I chaired the DC Public Library board and saw how vital internet access is for everythe budget just approved we eliminated the twice-yearly in-person requirement for one. My work on the ReOpen DC task force during the pandemic reinforced the imresidents to maintain enrollment in the DC Healthcare Alliance; last fall I brokered portance of internet access for all. Digital access has become a necessity for at-home a solution to the impasse over the managed care contracts for Medicaid recipients. workers, students, virtual medical appointments and other services. I supported approval of the Street Lights project to expand access. As a councilmember, I would D.C. Council Candidates work with city agencies to ensure equitable internet access is provided citywide.

Deirdre Brown - Ward 3 We need to ensuring that there is universal, affordable, and equitable health coverBrianne K. Nadeau – Ward 1 age by reducing deductiables and out of pocket cost , providing subsidized health We need reliable, affordable internet service for all in the District, and in addition plans and lower the barriers to coverage for immigrants. We must have targeted to the government hotspots throughout the District we expanded access in the beoutreach and enrollment efforts to reach the remaining uninsured. Additional ginning of the global pandemic to households with students. As part of the Tech investments in affordable housing, public transportation, early childhood develTogether initiative of the DC government, we will expand access to the internet, opment, and affordable higher education also could help reduce racial and ethnic internet ready devices and technology education to all DC residents for free. health inequities.

Zachary Parker – Ward 5 Nate Derenge - Ward 8 We must recognize that high speed internet is a necessity, like housing, health, I don't think there will be an effective government solution. I think a feasible soluand food. That means ensuring all residents have access to the internet, computers tion requires the individual to make better choices in regards to their diet and other or tablets, and human-support to use them. I support using federal infrastructure behaviors. funds to extend DC’s network of publicly available wifi and making low-cost wifi available to residents with low incomes. Senior villages could be expanded to have Beau Finley – Ward 3 neighbors help older residents access and use the internet.

Here's what I will do to address inequity in healthcare: - Fully fund the Birth-to-3 Act - Increase Medicaid and DC Healthcare Alliance postpartum coverage to reduce Phil Thomas – Ward 3 maternal mortality - Expand community-based healthcare options, including maAs Ward 3 Councilmember, I will address closing the digital divide by committing ternal healthcare - Have healthcare providers to connect residents with social sereducational opportunities for residents in low income areas, making sure they have vices, creating a safety net - Provide incentives for grocery stores to open in Wards 7 the proper resources they need and access to wifi, investing in capital improvements & 8 - Establish a Medicaid waiver for medical nutrition therapy. that reflect our greatest needs. I will make sure minority-and women-owned business enterprises are given an increased weight when going after District contracts. I Gordon Fletcher – Ward 5 would also make sure funding in the budget is distributed equitably per each ward. Hourly employees, dependent of every hour of work, often sacrifice their health for their paycheck, I would advocate for low-cost comprehensive health insurance for Health care spending in the District has been consistently higher per capita all residents. I would also advocate for paid leave for hourly employees to address when compared to other states. This level of spending may suggest resi- medical appointments. dents are sicker. - particularly residents of Color.We do not know how much of this circumstance is a direct result of the District’s health care system, but Matthew Frumin – Ward 3 we do know that health is shaped by many conditions of a community. Dis- The heart of it is that we need to increase opportunity and hope in our communities parities in educational outcomes, access to jobs with livable wages, access with the greatest need through education, job training, affordable housing, food seto healthy and affordable food,and environmental conditions may help ex- curity and the provision of excellent and accessible health care services. To do the latplain poor health. If elected, what policies would you put forward to reduce ter we need to do everything from dramatically increase maternal and child health racial and ethnic disparities in access to affordable high-quality health care? serves to supporting programs like PACE for our seniors. We also need to open the hospital at St. Elizabeth's and support and expand our network of clinics.

Mayoral Candidates Sabel Harris – Ward 1 James Butler I will ensure that we have telehealth, doctor visit to home especially east of the river. I As I mentioned above, we can introduce a similar program like the one in North also will ensure that we no longer neglect having hospitals east of the river. Further, I Carolina with medicare and medicaid dollars. Our health is universal and if we can believe that it comes down to food access is a good great part of having good health. move beyond looking at it as "disease management" and more the preventative A Free metro will help all seniors be able to more easily tranverse to and from doctor and holistically I believe we'll see a healthier DC. appointments.

Faith Gibson Hubbard – Ward 5 I would fund a broad public awareness campaign to share with residents informaRobert White The best care is preventative care. Communities that have access to healthier foods tion about the pathways, resources, and access points to health care and insurance and opportunities to participate in outdoor activities do not have as many health we have in DC. So many neighbors do not have awareness of the access and rechallenges and rely less on emergency and other medical services. I will expand sources available to them. We MUST meet neighbors where they are. Secondly, I our healthcare network east of the river by incentivizing doctors, including mental would work to implement and fund the recommendation outline the 2020 report health professionals, to open their private practices there, developing our telehealth from the Mayor's Commission on Healthcare Systems Transformation. The recommendations are robust. system, and bringing urgent care and community based clinics there.

D.C. Council Chair Candidates Erin Palmer Every map of DC is the same – the result of chronic disinvestment in Black communities. Correcting for those disparities and ensuring equity will require an all of government approach and investments at every stage of life. I’m committed to building on legislation expanding access to maternal healthcare for doula services and a birthing center east of the Anacostia River to address deep disparities in maternal mortality and working to mitigate the disparate impacts of COVID-19.

Brianne K. Nadeau – Ward 1 As a member of the Committee on Health, I have focused on medicaid access, nutrition programs, pre-natal and postpartum care, and early interventions such as home visiting programs that have a proven impact on health outcomes. I suppor the new Cedar Hill Hospital Center, and also community-based clinics, midwives and other independent practitioners who are building out the continuum of care. I am proud to have Howard University Hospital here in Ward 1, and have supported its redevelopment.

Zachary Parker – Ward 5 While most DC residents have health coverage, we have massive racial health care disparities. As Councilmember, I will strengthen community-based mental health, trauma-informed, and maternal health care services. I would require all hospitals to provide comprehensive services and work to bring these back to Providence Hospital. We must focus on the social determinants of health: community support, affordable housing, nutritious and healthy food, and recreation and economic opportunities.

Phil Thomas – Ward 3 I would pass legislation to enact a District Alzheimer’s Plan. According to a GWU study, 10% of people over 65 in Ward 3 have Alzheimer's, but unlike all 50 states, DC currently does not have an Alzheimer's Plan. I support implementing a plan by raising awareness and supporting caregivers. The current budget includes $250,000 for DC Alzheimer's Public Awareness Campaign and DC Health unveiled a brain health website, but as a legislator I would enact policies to expand on health care disparities.

The Older Americans Act requires the Department on Aging and Community Living to engage in outreach to LGBTQ+ older people, to collect data on their needs, and to collect data on how they are meeting they are needs. DC law also says that both LGBTQ+ older people and older people living with HIV are to be prioritized, so that we don’t leave them behind. Some states have LGBTQ+-targeted senior centers, LGBTQ+-targeted housing, and other home and community-based services and supports for LGBTQ+ older residents. How will you ensure that the District is meeting the health and long term care needs of LGBTQ+ older people including older people living with HIV – two frequently underserved populations?

Mayoral Candidates James Butler I will ensure that DC has LGBTQ housing LGBTQ affirming housing providers, healthcare practitioners and therapist would that work in these facilities. Further, we will budget out additional housing through earmark funds for specifically lgbtq seniors.

Robert White I have prioritized fighting for LGBTQ seniors who too often are isolated. I co-authored the LGBTQ Health Data Collection Amendment Act to ensure the District understands the health needs of our LGBTQ+ community, funded a senior community dining program so LGBTQ+ seniors have a safe and affirming space, and funded housing vouchers specifically for LGBTQ+ seniors and youth. I will continue the work I've started to make DC a comfortable and inclusive place to age.

D.C. Council Chair Candidates Erin Palmer I am committed to meeting the needs of our older LGBTQ+ neighbors and seniors living with HIV by implementing a Community Health Team model, which brings health services to individuals with greater health needs, rather than making them travel out of their communities; having the DC Auditor look into the services provided by the new Cedar Hill Hospital to ensure they match community needs; and expanding the number of targeted vouchers for housing for LGBTQ+ beyond the 20 currently authorized.

Phil Mendelson Art Lloyd – Ward 5 Require landlords to maintain clean building weekly and inspect housing units Most recently I responded to requests from the LGBTQ+ community for more funding, specifically for grants, through the Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs; I fully funded monthly their request in the budget. The budget also fully funds the requests for LGBTQ+ Monte Monash – Ward 3 subsidized housing (e.g., vouchers). On this issue I look to the advocacy community Health care access influences outcomes. My focus as councilmember will be to for recommendations and then I try to be responsive fully. ensure that hospitals in Ward 3 continue to be widely available for anyone in DC. Our ward is fortunate to have top-notch in-ward medical facilities, but the same can’t

AARP Page 17

www.washingtoninformer.com / 2022 DC PRIMARY ELECTION VOTER GUIDE

V-16

AARP from Page 16 D.C. Council Candidates Deirdre Brown - Ward 3 LGBTQ+ older people need safe and affordable housing, affordable and reliable transportation, legal services, healthcare, support groups and social events to ward off isolation and depression. Ward 3 does not have a Senior Wellness Center with a physical permanent location and does not have dedicated LGBTQ+ targeted senior center or housing. As the Ward 3 Councilmember I will work to address the needs of all of our seniors by locating opportunity in the ward to provide these locations.

Nate Derenge - Ward 8 I don't believe in spending on special interests. I only support spending on public goods only.

Beau Finley – Ward 3 I am proud to receive GLAA's highest rating in Ward 3. Our Seniors should be able to age with dignity. I will establish a full-time healthcare coordinator within the Mayor's Office on LGBTQ+ Affairs to address health access issues among our LGBTQ+ seniors. I will also create more LGBTQ+-centered housing for low- and fixed-income Seniors.

Gordon Fletcher – Ward 5 I would advocate for the establishment of more LGBTQ+ targeted centers in every ward. However, the District also needs to do more dedicated outreach to the LGBTQ+ community, in multiple languages, across the city. Where do seniors live? How close are their healthcare providers? Are providers culturally competent? Are seniors insured? These basic questions must be addressed during the planning process if we are to properly address underserved populations.

Matthew Frumin – Ward 3 I will work with and support the LGBTQ+ Advisory Group as well as work with groups like Whitman Walker and Mary's Center which have been on the

Tap. Shop.

Done.

perity. We owe it to them to support them as they age and manage health challenges. Data collection and outreach are ways to meet these community members’ particular needs, and there is much to learn from other cities and local organizations whose services and models could be scaled up. I have relevant experience serving on nonprofit boards supporting DC seniors and preventing homelessness with LGBTQ+ residents as a focus.

Brianne K. Nadeau – Ward 1 As a champion of LGBTQ+ issues, I am proud to have received the highest rating of any candidate from the GLAA as well as the endorsement of the Stonewall Dems. I have championed LGBTQ+ senior housing, secured funding for Joseph's House in Ward 1, which provides respite care to those w Sabel Harris – Ward 1 HIV/AIDS, have done rigorous oversight of the HAHSTA administration at DC We need to ensure that we are collecting this data in DC and surfacing it on a Health, and worked alongside partners like the Whitman-Walker Clinic to Ward-level basis, so Councilmembers and other elected officials can identify ensure that we are meeting the needs of our aging LGBTQ+ residents. if there are gaps. From there, I believe we then need to bring these groups to the table and ask what their needs are: Do they have access to healthcare? Zachary Parker – Ward 5 Are they getting the services they need? The data will show the gaps, but it Many LGBTQ older adults face social isolation and limited access to aging may not show us exactly what is happening, which is why we must conduct services. As Councilmember, I will work to ensure that an equitable share of DC’s Housing Production Trust fund serves LGBTQ+ seniors, ensure our consistent outreach to these groups. aging services include opportunities for community building between genFaith Gibson Hubbard – Ward 5 erations, and ensure access to culturally competent health services, includA few areas of focus, but more is on my website: - Expand funding for HIV/ ing quality-of-life treatments for those with HIV. I will also work to fund and AIDS, Hepatitis, STD and TB Administration (HAHSTA) - Expand funding op- expand programs like those provided at Whitman-Walker. portunities for community based organizations serving LGBTQ+ neighbors, persons with HIV/AIDS, communities at high-risk of HIV infection - Requires Phil Thomas – Ward 3 housing agencies to conduct an annual census of LGBTQ+ residents partici- As Ward 3 Councilmember I will support dedicated housing for LGBTQ+ sepating in publicly-funded/subsidized housing programs - Expand the access niors including older people living with HIV. What we have seen once older adults lose their partner and some have fear of being out and vulnerable. and funding to supportive housing for LGBTQ+ youth/seniors As Ward 3 Councilmember I work with my colleagues to ensure the District Art Lloyd – Ward 5 is doing everything possible for the LGBTQ+ community. I will also support Required physical check ups every 3 month by health officials establishing equitable overdose and drug prevention facilities across the District.

Monte Monash – Ward 3 WI LGBTQ+ residents contribute so much to DC's vitality, dynamism and prosfront lines on these issues. There is one LGBTQ+ senior housing project in the works, but there is room for others, including in the Dupont Circle area. I would be a strong supporter of such a facility which serve both as a place for housing and for service delivery and socializing.

open the Safeway app order your items online get delivery or

*ALL ORDERS: Services available in select areas. In some areas, delivery service may be provided by another Albertsons Companies store banner (that banner’s product availability, pricing and promotions will apply) or a third party service provider; or independently by Instacart (Instacart’s terms and conditions, account registration, fees, product availability, pricing and promotions apply). Online orders require a minimum purchase, unless otherwise noted. Prices for products you order online generally are higher than in Safeway physical stores and may vary by fulfillment method chosen, unless otherwise noted.

Online promotions, discounts and offers may differ from those in Safeway physical stores. Full terms at albertsonscompanies.com/about-us/our-policies/terms-of-use.html and delivery.safeway.com/terms

V-17

2022 DC PRIMARY ELECTION VOTER GUIDE / www.washingtoninformer.com

Scan for details.

Is Your Voter Registration Up to Date?

Submitted by the DC League of Women Voters

You may hear that question when you talk to a member of the DC

League of Women Voters. We ask if your registration is up to date because we know that many people have had to make major changes in their lives since the last election. We

want to register every eligible voter, including returning citizens, incarcerated citizens, native Washingtonians, new citizens, including you!

For 102 years now the US League

has been helping people become informed citizens. We envision a democracy where every person has the desire, the right, the knowledge, and the confidence to participate.

We work to secure equal rights and equal opportunity for all. We also promote social and economic justice and the health and safety of all residents. As a non-partisan organization we want to make sure that people know who is on the ballot so they can make educated choices when they vote. You can go to Vote411.org and put in your address to find out who is on your ballot and what they say for themselves.

ELECTION INFORMATION FOR INCARCERATED DC RESIDENTS

• Do you have an incarcerated loved one?

• DC residents serving time for felonies (or misdemeanors) now have the right to vote, thanks to D.C.’s Restore the Vote Amendment Act of 2020. The League of Women Voters DC launched a Detained Voter Information Line to ensure that incarcerated residents can fully participate in the election.

• Whether in the D.C. jail or in federal prisons, D.C. residents can email dcvoter@lwvdc.org and/or call 202-800-6190 to request voter registration forms, nonpartisan information on candidates, and deadlines related to upcoming elections. The nonpartisan phone line is staffed by volunteers and receives calls from 9 am to 9 pm daily.

Quilts4DC

The DC League is a chapter of the national organization and is also 102 years old. We called ourselves the “voteless League of Women Voters” in 1921 and have been working to gain full rights for DC citizens since then. What does “full rights” mean? It means joining the rest of the United States by becoming a state, fully equal to the other 50 states. We would have two Senators like the other states, and representatives according to our population (right now we are entitled to one).

It also means that we would have full control of our laws, our judicial system, our budget. It means that our governor could call up the DC National Guard whenever it is

needed, without having to wait for presidential approval like we did on January 6th.

The United States would still have a national capital in a smaller federal district. The district would hold the Capitol building, the Supreme Court, the Mall, White House, monuments and congressional office buildings and Congress would have total control over it. Our neighborhoods—our fire stations, hospitals, schools, grocery stores, gas stations, restaurants and homes where almost 700,000 of us live and work would all be in the new state of Douglass Commonwealth.

We have never been closer to gaining statehood than we are right now. The House has passed the Washington, DC Admission Act twice and we have record co-sponsors in the Senate. To help expand the visibility of our efforts for statehood, we launched Quilts4DC, a nationwide quilt challenge, asking quilt makers to make small quilts about DC Statehood. We very much appreciate the participation of several local African American quilt guilds! You can see the more than 60 quilts from 15 states and DC at lwvdc.org/quilts4dcgallery.

You are also welcome to invite us to talk to your community group (on Zoom for now) by writing to statehood@lwvdc.org The DC League is also holding three zoom sessions on Envisioning Statehood, discussing what kinds of changes DC residents would experience when we become a state. The first one on Taking Back Our Justice System has already taken place and can be viewed on our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube. com/watch?v=XgAvnZvHBMg. The next zoom session, Envisioning Statehood: Government By the People will be held on June 16th, 7-8:30 PM and the third, Envisioning Statehood: What’s it Worth? will be held on July 21, 7-8:30 PM. A one-day conference on The State of DC Statehood is planned for September 17th.

Visit www.lwvdc.org to register for the discussions which are open to the public. We invite you to join the League while you are there! We want to have all our DC communities represented on our member rolls. We welcome anyone over 16 years old.

WI

www.washingtoninformer.com / 2022 DC PRIMARY ELECTION VOTER GUIDE

V-18

Voting is

POWERFUL!

Make a plan (and a back-up plan)

Do it NOW

3

s e y a t w o v to The future is shaped by those who show up!

Vote-at-home ballot is safe, easy and reliable • Review your candidate choices on Vote411.org • Fill out your ballot and sign the envelope • Submit it in a secure drop box or at a voting center or a US mail box.

Vote in person EARLY • Review your candidate choices on Vote411.org • Where? When? Vote411.org has all the information you need.

Vote in person on Election Day • Review your candidate choices on Vote411.org • Where? When? Vote411.org has all the information you need.

All 18+ year old DC Citizens including returning citizens and the currently incarcerated are eligible to vote.

We welcome your membership in the DC League of Women Voters: LWVDC.org/join -- and yes, men join too!

Información Electoral que Necesita: Vote411.org/es Election Information You Need: Vote411.org

V-19

2022 DC PRIMARY ELECTION VOTER GUIDE / www.washingtoninformer.com

District of Columbia

Know the when, where, and how.

Then vote.

Voting is your most important right. But you have to be in the know to vote. Thatʼs why AARP District of Columbia has collected all the most up-to-date election information to make sure that voters 50-plus are heard on Nov. 8. Get the latest on how to register, where to vote in person, all the key voting deadlines, and more at aarp.org/DCvotes

facebook.com/aarpdc | @AARPDC Paid for by AARP

www.washingtoninformer.com / 2022 DC PRIMARY ELECTION VOTER GUIDE

V-20