Ward 1 Councilmember
Democratic Primary — June 16, 2026
What's at stake
Ward 1 covers Columbia Heights, Mt. Pleasant, Adams Morgan, Petworth, Shaw, and parts of U Street. The ward has a large Latinx community, significant affordable housing stock, and ongoing gentrification pressures. Retiring Councilmember Brianne Nadeau has endorsed Rashida Brown. Five Democrats are in the primary, and 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.
Social worker, Howard grad, and ANC rep of 10 years who delivered 456 housing units (60% affordable) through Park Morton and Bruce Monroe. Policy director at DC's OSSE who built My Child Care DC and Thrive by Five; 25 years in early childhood policy. Co-founded Georgia Avenue Thrive. GLAA DC 10/10 rating. Endorsed by retiring Councilmember Brianne Nadeau.
Endorsements (12)
Labor unions
- 32BJ SEIU
- LiUNA! – Baltimore/Washington District Council
- IUPAT – District Council 51
- Committee of Interns and Residents – SEIU Healthcare
Elected/Appointed Officials
- Brianne Nadeau, retiring Ward 1 Councilmember
Advocacy & community organizations
- DC Working Families Party (Ranking Recommendation)
- Greater Greater Washington (Ranking Recommendation)
- Jews United for Justice
- Sierra Club
- DC YIMBYs
- DC Voters for Animals
- GLAA DC (10/10 Rating)
40-year Mt. Pleasant resident (age 66), Georgetown alumnus, and living kidney donor (2020). Began career at CCNV shelters with Mitch Snyder; founded Calvary Women's Services and co-founded Washington Area Community Investment Fund. Quality-of-life focused campaign: small businesses, parking enforcement, community policing reform, parks, and senior services.
Endorsements (6)
Elected/Appointed Officials
- Bill Lightfoot, former DC Councilmember and chair of Bowser/Fenty mayoral campaigns
- Fr. Ray Kemp, former DC School Board member and longtime pastor of St. Augustine's
- Sandra Seegars, Ward 8 ANC Commissioner
- Frank Agbro, Mt. Pleasant community leader and former ANC Commissioner
Individuals & public figures
- Carol Fennelly, homeless and prison reform activist
- Pat Patrick, former Adams Morgan Business Association President
Tenant organizer, union member, and queer daughter of immigrants who has called Columbia Heights home for a decade. DSA volunteer; served on ANC 1A Housing Justice and Zoning Committee. Works for a progressive policy nonprofit. Highest fundraiser in the Ward 1 race. Comprehensive platform: free childcare, rent cap expansion, $125M/year for affordable housing, public utility ownership, and ending MPD-ICE cooperation.
Endorsements (32)
Labor unions
- Washington Teachers' Union
- Local 25 – UNITE HERE (hotel, restaurant, casino workers)
- Unite Here! Local 23
- Amalgamated Transit Union – ATU Local 689
- Metropolitan Washington Council – AFL-CIO
- 32BJ SEIU
- SEIU Local 500
- Committee of Interns and Residents – SEIU Healthcare
- AFSCME – District Council 20
- AFGE Local 2978
- AFGE Local 2725
- AFGE – District 14
- UFCW Local 400
- CWA – Maryland-DC State Council
- Teamsters Local 639
- Nonprofit Professional Employees Union
- International Association of Fire Fighters – Local 36
Advocacy & community organizations
- Working Families Party
- Greater Greater Washington (Rank #1)
- Metro DC DSA
- Sierra Club
- Jews United for Justice
- Bike, Walk & Bus PAC
- DC Women in Politics
- DC for Democracy
- DC Voters for Animals (#2 Ranking)
- Our Revolution DC
- Run for Something
- Lead Locally
- Rachel's Action Network
- The Woodner Tenants' Union
- Tivoli Gardens Tenants Association – Asociación de Inquilinos
Born in El Salvador; came to DC in 1990 as a teenage mother who experienced homelessness. Rose to become Executive Director of the Mayor's Office on Latino Affairs (2015) and Director of the Mayor's Office of Community Affairs (2021, first Latina). Secured $10M for immigrant legal defense. If elected, would be the first Latina elected to DC Council. Platform: small business grants, childcare, HPAP expansion, and community safety.
Endorsements (5)
Elected/Appointed Officials
- Anita Bonds, DC At-Large Councilmember
- Yasmin Romero, former ANC 1 Commissioner
Advocacy & community organizations
- Greater Capital Area Association of REALTORS (GCAAR)
Individuals & public figures
- Sharon Snead, Hubbard Place Tenant Association President
- Casilda Luna, Latino community leader
Current ANC 1B Chair (age 39), child of an immigrant family, and former immigration professional / DHS analyst who has lived in Ward 1 since 2023. Lead organizer for Initiative 83 (RCV, 73% of the vote) and co-founder of Grow Democracy DC. Founded the ANC Home Rule Caucus (75+ commissioners). Car-free household. Comprehensive policy platform from housing to transit to school accountability.
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