Bridget French
Ward 5 Councilmember — Democratic Primary, June 16, 2026
Not in DC Fair Elections ProgramBridget French (age 42) has called DC home for nearly 20 years. She grew up in a working-class family in Fort Lauderdale, where her parents ran a small business. After college she served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Honduras, working with communities to protect natural resources and support sustainable economic opportunities. Early in her career, she worked on some of DC's first energy programs through the DC Sustainable Energy Utility, helping launch initiatives that reduced costs for residents and businesses across the city. Today she works with decision-makers across the country to advance practical, cost-effective energy solutions, with a focus on lowering costs and improving people's lives through good energy policy. She and her husband live in Ward 5 with their two rescue dogs. Her platform centers on three themes: lowering everyday costs (with a particular emphasis on utility bills), making DC's programs for young people and families actually work together through improved coordination and accountability across agencies ("We don't need more programs — we need the ones we already fund to actually work together"), and helping Ward 5 small businesses stay open, grow, and hire locally.
Positions on the issues
All positions are sourced directly from the candidate's campaign materials, official questionnaire responses, or verified news coverage. Stances are rated on a scale from Strongly opposes (−2) to Strongly supports (+2). A stance of Unknown means no public position has been found.
DC should cut taxes and fees on small and local businesses — and offer relief such as the small retailer property tax credit — to help them open, survive, and grow.
Platform highlights 'Thriving Local Businesses' as a core priority: 'Small businesses are the backbone of Ward 5, but many are struggling with rising costs and barriers to growth.' Would focus on reducing barriers to operating a business and keeping commercial corridors vibrant rather than specific tax-cut proposals.
DC should aggressively accelerate its transition to 100% renewable energy, installing solar on public buildings and investing in geothermal and other clean sources.
Worked on DC's first energy programs through the DC Sustainable Energy Utility, helping launch initiatives that reduced costs for residents and businesses. Her energy platform is framed around 'practical, cost-effective' solutions that lower household bills, suggesting support for renewable investment primarily as a cost-reduction mechanism rather than an aggressive mandate-driven transition.
General sources
- Bridget French for Ward 5 — Campaign Website — Bridget French Campaign. Accessed 2026-05-31.
- Your guide to the June 16 DC primary — The 51st — The 51st. Accessed 2026-05-31.