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
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