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2026 Council of the District of Columbia election

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

Quick facts 7 of the 13 seats in the Council of the District of Columbia 7 seats needed for a majority, Majority party ...
2026 Council of the District of Columbia election

← 2024
November 3, 2026
2028 →

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

2025 Ward 8 special election

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

2026 at-large special election

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

Summary

More information Position, Incumbent ...
Position Incumbent Certified candidates

▌Democratic ▌Statehood–Green
▌Independent ▌Republican

Member Party First
elected
Status
Chairperson Phil Mendelson Democratic 2012 (special) Incumbent renominated.
At-Large Anita Bonds Democratic 2012 (special) Incumbent retiring.
Elissa Silverman Independent 2014
2022 (lost)
2026 (special)
Incumbent running.
Ward 1 Brianne Nadeau Democratic 2014 Incumbent retiring.
  • ▌ Jude Crannitch
  • ▌ Jett James Jasper
  • ▌ Ryan Prince
  • ▌ Aparna Raj
Ward 3 Matt Frumin Democratic 2022 Incumbent renominated.
Ward 5 Zachary Parker Democratic 2022 Incumbent renominated.
Ward 6 Charles Allen Democratic 2014 Incumbent renominated.
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Chairperson

Quick facts Nominee, Party ...
2026 Council of the District of Columbia Chairperson of the Council Election

← 2022
November 3, 2026
2030 →
 
Nominee Phil Mendelson Abi-Ananiah Prudent
Party Democratic Republican

Chairperson before election

Phil Mendelson
Democratic

Elected Chairperson

TBD

Close

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

Democratic primary

Candidates

Withdrawn

Declined

Endorsements

Phil Mendelson

Labor unions

Organizations

More information Party, Candidate ...
2026 Council of the District of Columbia Chairperson Democratic primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Phil Mendelson (incumbent) 104,316 95.81
Write-in 4,562 4.19
Total votes 108,878 100.00
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Republican primary

Candidates

  • Abi-Ananiah Prudent[10]
More information Party, Candidate ...
2026 Council of the District of Columbia Chairperson Republican primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Abi-Ananiah Prudent 2,328 90.13
Write-in 255 9.87
Total votes 2,583 100.00
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Statehood Green primary

More information Party, Candidate ...
2026 Council of the District of Columbia Chairperson Statehood Green primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Write-in 238 100.00
Total votes 238 100.00
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Independents

Candidates

At-large

Quick facts Nominee, Party ...
2026 Council of the District of Columbia At-Large Election

← 2022
November 3, 2026
2030 →
 
Nominee Oye Owolewa Elissa Silverman
Party Democratic Independent

 
Nominee Darrell Green Darryl Moch
Party Republican DC Statehood Green

Incumbent Councilmembers

Anita Bonds (Dem.)
Elissa Silverman (Ind.)



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Two at-large seats are up for election; the incumbents are Democrat Anita Bonds and independent Doni Crawford. Bonds is not running for re-election and Crawford — who was appointed in January 2026 to succeed Kenyan McDuffie, who is running for mayor — has not announced her intentions.[12] Only one at-large member can be a member of the majority party.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Withdrawn

Declined

Endorsements

Kevin Chavous

Labor unions

Executive branch officials

Local officials[23]

Organizations

  • Greater Capital Area Association of REALTORS (co-endorsement with Raymond)[24]
Dwight Davis

Public figures

Dyana Forester

Labor unions

Federal officials

State officials

Organizations

Greg Jackson

State governors

U.S. representatives

Mayors

Local officials

Individuals

Organizations

Candace Tiana Nelson

Organizations

Oye Owolewa

Labor unions

Local officials

Organizations

Lisa Raymond

Labor unions

Local officials

Organizations

Fundraising

More information Campaign finance reports as of January 31, 2026, Candidate ...
Campaign finance reports as of January 31, 2026
Candidate Raised Spent Cash on hand
Oye Owolewa (D) $428,799 $215,609 $213,190
Candace Tiana Nelson (D) $161,518 $104,631 $56,887
Kevin Chavous (D) $172,055 $61,815 $110,240
Lisa Raymond (D) $242,237 $67,748 $174,489
Dyana Forester (D) $113,154 $27,119 $86,035
Leniqua’dominique Jenkins (D) $15,633 $0.00 $15,633
Greg Jackson (D) $194,588 $48,863 $147,725
Dwight Davis (D) $21,917 $21,772 $145
Fred Hill (D) $42,801 $21,081 $21,720
Source: District of Columbia Office of Campaign Finance[38]
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Debate

More information No., Date ...
2026 Council of the District of Columbia at-large seat Democratic primary debate
No. Date Host Moderator Link Democratic Democratic Democratic Democratic Democratic Democratic Democratic Democratic Democratic
Key:
 P  Participant   A  Absent   N  Not invited   I  Invited  W  Withdrawn
Kevin Chavous Dwight Davis Dyana Forester Fred Hill Gregory Jackson Leniqua’dominique Jenkins Candace Nelson Oye Owolewa Lisa Raymond
1 Apr. 28, 2026 District of Columbia Board of Elections Michael Brice-Saddler YouTube P P P P P P P P P
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More information Party, Candidate ...
2026 Council of the District of Columbia At-Large Democratic primary results
Party Candidate Round 1 Round 2 Round 3 Round 4 Round 5 Round 6 Round 7 Round 8
Votes % Transfer Votes % Transfer Votes % Transfer Votes % Transfer Votes % Transfer Votes % Transfer Votes % Transfer Votes %
Democratic Oye Owolewa 44,836 34.56 + 62 44,898 34.67 + 842 45,710 35.49 + 1,541 47,251 36.90 + 1,108 48,359 38.29 + 1,568 49,927 40.17 + 4,370 54,297 44.70 + 4,892 59,189 50.93
Democratic Lisa Raymond 20,292 15.64 + 34 20,326 15.70 + 231 20,557 15.96 + 597 21,154 16.52 + 1,547 22,701 17.97 + 1,209 23,910 19.24 + 3,060 26,970 22.20 + 5,314 32,284 27.78
Democratic Kevin Chavous 16,973 13.08 + 22 16,995 13.12 + 219 17,214 13.36 + 538 17,752 13.86 + 908 18,660 14.77 + 1,146 19,806 15.93 + 1,662 21,468 17.67 + 3,282 24,750 21.30
Democratic Gregory Jackson 14,174 10.92 + 40 14,214 10.98 + 227 14,441 11.21 + 503 14,944 11.67 + 865 15,809 12.52 + 1,207 17,016 13.69 + 1,709 18,725 15.42 - 18,725 Eliminated
Democratic Candace Tiana Nelson 9,900 7.63 + 21 9,921 7.66 + 763 10,684 8.29 + 814 11,498 8.98 + 399 11,897 9.42 + 1,741 13,638 10.97 - 13,638 Eliminated
Democratic Dwight Davis 7,745 5.97 + 12 7,757 5.99 + 210 7,967 6.19 + 429 8,396 6.56 + 478 8,874 7.03 - 8,874 Eliminated
Democratic Fred Hill 6,793 5.24 + 11 6,804 5.25 + 122 6,926 5.38 + 138 7,064 5.52 - 7,064 Eliminated
Democratic Dyana Forester 4,976 3.84 + 14 4,990 3.85 + 312 5,302 4.12 - 5,302 Eliminated
Democratic Leniqua’dominique Jenkins 3,585 2.76 + 3 3,588 2.77 - 3,588 Eliminated
Write-in 474 0.37 - 474 Eliminated
Continuing ballots 142,408 100.00
142,153 99.82
141,461 99.34
140,719 98.81
122,923 97.58
119,592 96.17
134,120 94.18
128,883 90.50
Exhausted ballots – + 255 2550.18 + 692 9470.66 + 742 1,6891.19 + 1,759 3,4482.42 + 2,003 5,451 3.83 + 2,837 8,288 5.82 + 5,237 13,525 9.50
Total votes 142,408 100.00
142,408 100.00
142,408 100.00
142,408 100.00
142,408 100.00 142,408 100.00 142,408 100.00 142,408 100.00
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Republican primary

Candidates

More information Party, Candidate ...
2026 Council of the District of Columbia At-Large Republican primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Darrell Green 2,536 91.06
Write-in 249 8.94
Total votes 2,785 100.00
Close

Statehood Green primary

Candidates

More information Party, Candidate ...
2026 Council of the District of Columbia At-Large Statehood Green primary
Party Candidate Votes %
DC Statehood Green Darryl Moch 574 77.05
Write-in 171 22.95
Total votes 745 100.00
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Independents

Candidates

Withdrawn

Declined

Ward 1

Quick facts Nominee, Party ...
2026 Council of the District of Columbia Ward 1 Election

← 2022
November 3, 2026
2030 →
 
Nominee Aparna Raj Jett James Jasper Jude Crannitch
Party Democratic Republican DC Statehood Green

Councilmember before election

Brianne Nadeau
Democratic

Elected Councilmember

TBD

Close

Incumbent Democrat Brianne Nadeau was re-elected to a third term in 2022 with 79.9% of the vote in the general election but only 48.5% of the vote in the 2022 Democratic primary election. She is not running for re-election.[41]

Democratic primary

Candidates

Withdrawn

  • Brian Footer, ANC member for district 1E[47]

Declined

Endorsements

Rashida Brown

Labor unions

Local officials

Organizations

Miguel Trindade Deramo

Local officials

Organizations

Fundraising

More information Campaign finance reports as of March 10, 2026, Candidate ...
Campaign finance reports as of March 10, 2026
Candidate Raised (revenue) Spent (expenditures) Cash on hand
Aparna Raj (D) $306,474 $87,343 $219,131
Terry Lynch (D) $61,462 $57,152 $4,310
Rashida Brown (D) $127,801 $34,121 $95,679
Jackie Reyes-Yanes (D) $130,906 $16,833 $114,298
Miguel Trinidade Deramo (D) $84,308 $28,221 $56,087
Source: District of Columbia Office of Campaign Finance[58]
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Polling

More information Poll source, Date(s) administered ...
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size[a]
Margin
of error
Rashida
Brown
Miguel
Trindade Deramo
Terry
Lynch
Aparna
Raj
Jackie
Reyes-Yanes
Undecided
Greater Greater Washington/PPP[59] March 27 – March 29, 2026 232 (LV) ± 6.4% 13% 7% 3% 18% 4% 54%
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More information Party, Candidate ...
2026 Council of the District of Columbia Ward 1 Democratic primary
Party Candidate Round 1 Round 2 Round 3 Round 4
Votes % Transfer Votes % Transfer Votes % Transfer Votes %
Democratic Aparna Raj 9,203 47.37 + 1 9,204 47.42 + 156 9,360 48.87 + 369 9,729 52.30
Democratic Miguel Trindade Deramo 4,147 21.35 + 1 4,148 21.37 + 229 4,377 22.86 + 590 4,967 26.70
Democratic Rashida Brown 3,268 16.82 + 3 3,271 16.85 + 169 3,440 17.96 + 466 3,906 21.00
Democratic Jackie Reyes-Yanes 1,739 8.95 + 3 1,742 8.97 + 232 1,974 10.31 - 1,974 Eliminated
Democratic Terry Lynch 1,045 5.38 + 1 1,046 5.39 - 1,046 Eliminated
Write-in 25 0.13 - 25 Eliminated
Continuing ballots 20,001 100.00
19,985 99.92
19,725 98.62
19,176 95.88
Exhausted ballots – + 16 160.08 + 260 2761.38 + 549 8254.12
Total votes 20,001 100.00
20,001 100.00
20,001 100.00
20,001 100.00
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Republican primary

Candidates

  • Jett James Jasper[10]
More information Party, Candidate ...
2026 Council of the District of Columbia Ward 1 Republican primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jett James Jasper 169 82.44
Write-in 36 17.56
Total votes 205 100.00
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Statehood Green primary

Candidates

More information Party, Candidate ...
2026 Council of the District of Columbia Ward 1 Statehood Green primary
Party Candidate Votes %
DC Statehood Green Jude Crannitch 76 58.91
Write-in 53 41.09
Total votes 129 100.00
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Independents

Candidates

Ward 3

Quick facts Nominee, Party ...
2026 Council of the District of Columbia Ward 3 Election

← 2022
November 3, 2026
2030 →
 
Nominee Matt Frumin Write-in
Party Democratic

Councilmember before election

Matt Frumin
Democratic

Elected Councilmember

TBD

Close

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

Democratic primary

Candidates

Withdrawn

  • Adam Prinzo, ANC member for district 3C[60]

Declined

  • Henry Cohen, candidate for Ward 3 councilmember in 2022
  • Eric Goulet, State Board of Education member and candidate in 2022 (running at-large)

Endorsements

More information Party, Candidate ...
2026 Council of the District of Columbia Ward 3 Democratic primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Matt Frumin (incumbent) 16,123 96.05
Write-in 663 3.95
Total votes 16,786 100.00
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Republican primary

More information Party, Candidate ...
2026 Council of the District of Columbia Ward 3 Republican primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Write-in 133 100.00
Total votes 133 100.00
Close

Statehood Green primary

More information Party, Candidate ...
2026 Council of the District of Columbia Ward 3 Statehood Green primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Write-in 32 100.00
Total votes 32 100.00
Close

Ward 5

Quick facts Nominee, Party ...
2026 Council of the District of Columbia Ward 5 Election

← 2022
November 3, 2026
2030 →
 
Nominee Zachary Parker Jeffrey Kihien-Palza Joyce Robinson-Paul
Party Democratic Republican DC Statehood Green

Councilmember before election

Zachary Parker
Democratic

Elected Councilmember

TBD

Close

Incumbent Democrat Zachary Parker was first elected in 2022 with 93.9% of the vote, and was facing two primary challengers, who easily defeated them.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Endorsements

More information Party, Candidate ...
2026 Council of the District of Columbia Ward 5 Democratic primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Zachary Parker (incumbent) 14,822 77.57
Democratic Bernita Carmichael 2,723 14.25
Democratic Bridget French 1,403 7.34
Write-in 161 0.84
Total votes 19,109 100.00
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Republican primary

Candidates

  • Jeffrey Kihien-Palza, businessman[19]
More information Party, Candidate ...
2026 Council of the District of Columbia Ward 5 Republican primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jeffrey Kihien-Palza 228 90.48
Write-in 24 9.52
Total votes 252 100.00
Close

Statehood Green primary

Candidates

  • Joyce Robinson-Paul[10]
More information Party, Candidate ...
2026 Council of the District of Columbia Ward 5 Statehood Green primary
Party Candidate Votes %
DC Statehood Green Joyce Robinson-Paul 94 78.33
Write-in 26 21.67
Total votes 120 100.00
Close

Ward 6

Quick facts Nominee, Party ...
2026 Council of the District of Columbia Ward 6 Election

← 2022
November 3, 2026
2030 →
 
Nominee Charles Allen Jorge Rice
Party Democratic Republican

Councilmember before election

Charles Allen
Democratic

Elected Councilmember

TBD

Close

Incumbent Democrat Charles Allen was re-elected unopposed in 2022,[64] and a recall effort in 2024 failed to make the ballot.[65]

Democratic primary

Candidates

  • Charles Allen, incumbent councilmember[19]
  • Michael Murphy, attorney[19]
  • Gloria Ann Nauden, business executive and marketing strategist[19]

Endorsements

Charles Allen

Labor unions

Organizations

More information Party, Candidate ...
2026 Council of the District of Columbia Ward 6 Democratic primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Charles Allen (incumbent) 14,787 75.74
Democratic Gloria Ann Nauden 3,487 17.86
Democratic Michael Murphy 1,178 6.03
Write-in 71 0.36
Total votes 19,150 100.00
Close

Republican primary

Candidates

  • Jorge Rice, lawyer[71]
More information Party, Candidate ...
2026 Council of the District of Columbia Ward 6 Republican primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jorge Rice 658 91.90
Write-in 58 8.10
Total votes 716 100.00
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Statehood Green primary

More information Party, Candidate ...
2026 Council of the District of Columbia Ward 6 Statehood Green primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Write-in 55 100.00
Total votes 55 100.00
Close

Fundraising

More information Campaign finance reports as of January 31, 2026, Candidate ...
Campaign finance reports as of January 31, 2026
Candidate Raised Spent Cash on hand
Charles Allen (D) $134,216 $25,653 $130,522
Gloria Nauden (D) $66,444 $13,840 $62,201
Jorge Rice (R) $1,150.50 $283.75 $866.25
Source: District of Columbia Office of Campaign Finance[58]
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More information Candidate, Office Sought ...
DC OCF Public Campaign Financing
Candidate Office Sought Certification Status Base Amount Cap Base Amount Payout Payment Cap Payouts Payouts Total
Charles Allen (D) Council Ward 6 Certified $40,000.00 $20,000.00 $263,680.00 $183,470.00 $203,470.00
Gloria Nauden (D) Council Ward 6 Certified $40,000.00 $20,000.00 $263,680.00 $78,748.75 $98,748.75
Jorge Rice (R) Council Ward 6 Threshold Not Met $40,000.00 $0.00 $268,680.00 $0.00 $0.00
Source: District of Columbia Office of Campaign Finance[58]
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Notes

  1. Key:
    A – all adults
    RV – registered voters
    LV – likely voters
    V – unclear

References

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