2025 Council of the District of Columbia special election
2025 local special election in the United States
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The 2025 Council of the District of Columbia special election was held on July 15, 2025, to elect the Ward 8 member of the Council of the District of Columbia. The election was called following the expulsion of Trayon White from the council.[1]
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July 15, 2025
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Background
Former councilmember Trayon White was re-elected in 2024 with 75% of the vote.[2] White was indicted on federal bribery charges and arrested by the FBI in 2024.[3] He was expelled from the council on February 4, 2025 after a court date was scheduled for bribery charges.[4]
Candidates
The deadline to submit 500 valid signatures to qualify for the ballot was April 17, 2025.[5]
Democratic Party
- Salim Adofo, Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner, and candidate for the Council in 2024[6]
- Mike Austin, former council staff member[7]
- Sheila Bunn, former chief of staff to former councilman and mayor Vincent C. Gray and Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton[7]
- Trayon White, former councilmember (2017–2025)[8][9]
Failed to qualify
- Jauhar Abraham, anti-violence activist[10][11]
- Khadijah Clark, former candidate[7]
- Eric T. Cleckley, former council aide[12]
- Lawrence Grayson, business owner[13][11]
Withdrawn
- Dion Jordan, former Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner for seat AC02[14][15]
- Oliver Linner Roy, nonprofit founder[13][15]
Endorsements
- Local officials
- Sandy Allen, former councilmember from Ward 8 (1997-2005)[16]
- LaRuby May, former councilmember from Ward 8 (2015-2017)[17]
- Eydie Whittington, former councilmember from Ward 8 (1995-1997)[16]
- Individuals
- Cora Masters Barry, widow of former mayor and councilmember Marion Barry[17]
- Organizations
- DC Association of Realtors[16]
- Greater Greater Washington[18]
- Local officials
- Wendell Felder, councilmember from Ward 7 (2025-present)[17]
Republican Party
Withdrawn
Independents
Failed to qualify
Write-in candidates
General election
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Trayon White | 2,392 | 27.72% | |
| Democratic | Sheila Bunn | 2,140 | 24.80% | |
| Democratic | Mike Austin | 2,103 | 24.37% | |
| Democratic | Salim Adofo | 1,932 | 22.39% | |
| Write-in | 63 | 0.73% | ||
| Total votes | 8,630 | 100.00% | ||