At-Large Council — Special Election (McDuffie Seat)
Democratic Primary — June 16, 2026
What's at stake
This is a NON-PARTISAN SPECIAL GENERAL ELECTION — not a Democratic primary. Special elections to fill a Council vacancy are non-partisan by law and open to ALL registered DC voters regardless of party; the candidates run as Independents as a consequence of that rule, not the reason for it. Four candidates (Doni Crawford, Khalil Lee, Jacque Patterson, and Elissa Silverman) are on the June 16 ballot. Unlike the other races on the ballot, the winner of this special election does NOT advance to November — they are sworn in once results are certified and serve only the remainder of Kenyan McDuffie's term, through January 2, 2027. The same seat is then up for a full four-year term in the November 2026 general election. Ranked choice voting applies for the first time in June 2026.
Candidates
Each candidate's full set of positions is listed on their profile page.
At-Large Councilmember (Independent), appointed unanimously January 2026. Former Committee Director of the Council's Committee on Business and Economic Development; formerly at DC Fiscal Policy Institute (secured $41M pandemic relief for excluded workers). Negotiated RFK/Commanders stadium deal ($50M community benefits agreement). U. Pittsburgh (Master of Public and International Affairs). Cross-endorsing with Jacque Patterson.
Endorsements (6)
Advocacy & community organizations
- Opportunity DC
- District of Columbia Association of REALTORS
- Greater Capital Association of REALTORS
- DC Charter School Action
- Center for Strong Public Schools Action Fund
- Washington Parking Association
DC State Board of Education President; military veteran; 30-year DC community servant. Born in foster care, raised on social safety net programs. Former Community Affairs coordinator (Mayor Williams), Housing Finance Agency Board (Mayor Fenty), Advisory Board on Veterans Affairs (Mayor Gray). ANC commissioner (5 terms). Cross-endorsing with Doni Crawford.
Endorsements (1)
Advocacy & community organizations
- ElectED DC (education equity group)
Former At-Large Councilmember 2015–2023; lead champion for DC's paid family leave law. Former Washington Post reporter and DC Fiscal Policy Institute policy analyst. Ward 6 / Capitol Hill homeowner. Endorsed by 17 groups including AFL-CIO, Washington Teachers' Union, AFSCME, ATU, and DC Firefighters. Aligned with Janeese Lewis George.
Endorsements (17)
Labor unions
- Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO
- Washington Teachers' Union
- AFSCME District Council 20
- 32BJ SEIU
- Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU Local 689)
- Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters
- Washington DC Firefighters Local 36
- AFGE Local 2725
- LIUNA Metropolitan Area Laborers' District Council
- Committee of Interns and Residents (SEIU Healthcare)
- Local 25 (hotel, restaurant, casino workers)
Advocacy & community organizations
- Greater Greater Washington
- Ward One Democrats
- Sierra Club
- Bike, Walk & Bus PAC
- DC Women in Politics
- DC YIMBYs
Native Washingtonian and former congressional staffer. Born at DC General; grew up in Ward 7; graduated Friendship Public Charter School Collegiate Academy; attended University of Vermont via DC TAG Program (2016). Campaign focuses on housing affordability and anti-displacement, DC home rule and statehood, public safety, and economic development.
Full profile →Sources
- City elections in Washington, D.C. (2026) — Ballotpedia — ballotpedia.org
- Voter Guide — June 16, 2026 Primary and Special Elections (DCBOE) — dcboe.org
- What to know about the special election for an At-Large seat on the DC Council — NBC4 Washington