2026 races Open seat

Council Ward 1

Aparna Raj wins Democratic primary via RCV (preliminary; DCBOE certifies July 15). Open seat — Nadeau did not seek re-election.

Candidates

5 declared candidates

Listed alphabetically. Tap a candidate to see their full profile, links to OCF / DCBOE filings, and stated positions on the site's six issue pages.

Aparna RajD
declaredWon primary
Communications manager and tenant organizer.
View profile 6/6 positions · 11 press items
Jackie Reyes YanesD
declared · Didn't advance
Former Bowser administration official.
View profile 6/6 positions · 3 press items
Miguel Trindade DeramoD
declared · Didn't advance
Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner.
View profile 6/6 positions · 3 press items
Rashida BrownD
declared · Didn't advance
Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner; endorsed by outgoing CM Brianne Nadeau.
View profile 6/6 positions · 5 press items
Terry LynchD
declared · Didn't advance
View profile 6/6 positions · 3 press items

Positions

Issue-by-issue comparison

One candidate per row, six issue columns mirroring the site's issue pages. Cells without a stated position read “No position stated” — we don't infer.

DAparna Raj
6/6 stated
- Statehood & Federal PressureDC autonomy, Home Rule, response to federal overrides
  Fight for DC statehood to stop federal takeovers of MPD and the budget; never preemptively comply with the Trump administration.[src]
- Public Safety & JusticeSecure DC, civilian review, federalized MPD response
  End MPD cooperation with ICE, ban masked law enforcement, raise 911 dispatcher pay, expand crisis response teams and violence-prevention programs.[src]
- Housing & EvictionsRent freeze ballot, TOPA reform, construction targets
  Expand rent stabilization to all multifamily renters, restore and fund TOPA, legalize apartments citywide, fund Housing Production Trust Fund with production targets.[src]
- Budget, Taxes & Federal WorkforceFY27 shortfall, federal workforce loss, tax decisions
  Fund priorities like free child care through taxes on big business and the ultrawealthy; close corporate tax loopholes.[src]
- TransportationCamera enforcement, WMATA funding, traffic deaths
  Reduce or eliminate parking minimums, add transit-oriented density near Metro and bus stops, improve sidewalk maintenance and bike/scooter parking.[src]
- SchoolsDCPS vs. charters, OSSE oversight, federal K-12 funding
  Invest in counselors, social workers, and nurses in all schools; fully fund after-school programs and summer youth employment.[src]
DJackie Reyes Yanes
6/6 stated
- Statehood & Federal PressureDC autonomy, Home Rule, response to federal overrides
  Says DC residents deserve full autonomy from congressional interference; Council should be assertive, organized, and unified in defending Home Rule.[src]
- Public Safety & JusticeSecure DC, civilian review, federalized MPD response
  Supports a youth curfew under 18, street lighting upgrades, guaranteed youth employment, and community-driven programs addressing root causes of crime.[src]
- Housing & EvictionsRent freeze ballot, TOPA reform, construction targets
  Raise Home Purchase Assistance to $30M with $150K income limit, close rent-control loopholes, require 20% affordable units in developments over 10 units.[src]
- Budget, Taxes & Federal WorkforceFY27 shortfall, federal workforce loss, tax decisions
  Prioritize core services, identify inefficiencies and reduce duplication, invest in prevention to avoid larger long-term costs.[src]
- TransportationCamera enforcement, WMATA funding, traffic deaths
  Invest in Metrobus and Metrorail reliability, safer pedestrian and protected bike infrastructure, and improved traffic enforcement.[src]
- SchoolsDCPS vs. charters, OSSE oversight, federal K-12 funding
  Improve educator retention, invest in community schools and mental health services, strengthen oversight so resources reach classrooms equitably.[src]
DMiguel Trindade Deramo
6/6 stated
- Statehood & Federal PressureDC autonomy, Home Rule, response to federal overrides
  Calls DC statehood a civil rights issue; would pass protective laws even if Congress may overturn them; founded an ANC Home Rule caucus.[src]
- Public Safety & JusticeSecure DC, civilian review, federalized MPD response
  Reestablish community-oriented policing under MPD's statutory obligations; fund violence-interruption programs backed by rigorous research.[src]
- Housing & EvictionsRent freeze ballot, TOPA reform, construction targets
  Proposes a Housing Production Omnibus Act refocusing the Housing Production Trust Fund on construction; expand mixed-income housing; simplify TOPA transactions for tenants.[src]
- Budget, Taxes & Federal WorkforceFY27 shortfall, federal workforce loss, tax decisions
  Backs a tiered surcharge on realized capital gains for the top 1% to fund vouchers, child tax credits, and pay equity.[src]
- TransportationCamera enforcement, WMATA funding, traffic deaths
  Dedicated bus lanes on all key corridors, a complete connected protected-bike-lane network, better bus shelters; backs STEER Act suits against dangerous drivers.[src]
- SchoolsDCPS vs. charters, OSSE oversight, federal K-12 funding
  Create an education Council with stronger accountability for performance metrics, targeting Ward 1's low test scores and school facility maintenance.[src]
DRashida Brown
6/6 stated
- Statehood & Federal PressureDC autonomy, Home Rule, response to federal overrides
  Calls this the gravest Home Rule threat in DC history; would work strategically with the mayor, use federal lobbying experience, organize grassroots statehood movements.[src]
- Public Safety & JusticeSecure DC, civilian review, federalized MPD response
  Pair community policing with evidence-based violence prevention; send mental health crisis teams to some calls; opposes expanding youth curfews.[src]
- Housing & EvictionsRent freeze ballot, TOPA reform, construction targets
  Update the Comprehensive Plan and land-use map to legalize apartments citywide; support rental assistance, down-payment help, and tenant protections.[src]
- Budget, Taxes & Federal WorkforceFY27 shortfall, federal workforce loss, tax decisions
  Says the budget is balanced on the most vulnerable; proposes comprehensive tax reform and a permanent tax and revenue commission to broaden the base.[src]
- TransportationCamera enforcement, WMATA funding, traffic deaths
  Prioritize pedestrians, cyclists, and transit over cars: fare-free buses, protected bike lanes, road pricing, and removing parking minimums near transit.[src]
- SchoolsDCPS vs. charters, OSSE oversight, federal K-12 funding
  Redirect funding to close disparities between schools west of the park and east of the river; support educator retention and school mental health services.[src]
DTerry Lynch
6/6 stated
- Statehood & Federal PressureDC autonomy, Home Rule, response to federal overrides
  Says the mayor and AG must lead, but councilmembers must stand and speak with residents the federal government is threatening; tearing families apart is wrong.[src]
- Public Safety & JusticeSecure DC, civilian review, federalized MPD response
  Close open-air drug markets, shift police to foot patrols, fix streetlights; supports youth curfews alongside expanded afterschool programs.[src]
- Housing & EvictionsRent freeze ballot, TOPA reform, construction targets
  A use-it-or-lose-it policy on vacant properties, 5,000 new Ward 1 housing units, and closing rent-control loopholes to preserve affordable housing.[src]
- Budget, Taxes & Federal WorkforceFY27 shortfall, federal workforce loss, tax decisions
  Close tax loopholes, properly tax undervalued properties, tax professional athletes' DC earnings; prioritize public health, education, and safety.[src]
- TransportationCamera enforcement, WMATA funding, traffic deaths
  Step up enforcement against dangerous drivers of all vehicle types, impound vehicles with outstanding tickets, require identifiers on all vehicles and bikes.[src]
- SchoolsDCPS vs. charters, OSSE oversight, federal K-12 funding
  Vigorous oversight of school maintenance; robust afterschool arts, academics, and athletics programs developed with parents and principals.[src]

Candidate	Statehood & Federal Pressure DC autonomy, Home Rule, response to federal overrides	Public Safety & Justice Secure DC, civilian review, federalized MPD response	Housing & Evictions Rent freeze ballot, TOPA reform, construction targets	Budget, Taxes & Federal Workforce FY27 shortfall, federal workforce loss, tax decisions	Transportation Camera enforcement, WMATA funding, traffic deaths	Schools DCPS vs. charters, OSSE oversight, federal K-12 funding
DAparna Raj	Fight for DC statehood to stop federal takeovers of MPD and the budget; never preemptively comply with the Trump administration.[src]	End MPD cooperation with ICE, ban masked law enforcement, raise 911 dispatcher pay, expand crisis response teams and violence-prevention programs.[src]	Expand rent stabilization to all multifamily renters, restore and fund TOPA, legalize apartments citywide, fund Housing Production Trust Fund with production targets.[src]	Fund priorities like free child care through taxes on big business and the ultrawealthy; close corporate tax loopholes.[src]	Reduce or eliminate parking minimums, add transit-oriented density near Metro and bus stops, improve sidewalk maintenance and bike/scooter parking.[src]	Invest in counselors, social workers, and nurses in all schools; fully fund after-school programs and summer youth employment.[src]
DJackie Reyes Yanes	Says DC residents deserve full autonomy from congressional interference; Council should be assertive, organized, and unified in defending Home Rule.[src]	Supports a youth curfew under 18, street lighting upgrades, guaranteed youth employment, and community-driven programs addressing root causes of crime.[src]	Raise Home Purchase Assistance to $30M with $150K income limit, close rent-control loopholes, require 20% affordable units in developments over 10 units.[src]	Prioritize core services, identify inefficiencies and reduce duplication, invest in prevention to avoid larger long-term costs.[src]	Invest in Metrobus and Metrorail reliability, safer pedestrian and protected bike infrastructure, and improved traffic enforcement.[src]	Improve educator retention, invest in community schools and mental health services, strengthen oversight so resources reach classrooms equitably.[src]
DMiguel Trindade Deramo	Calls DC statehood a civil rights issue; would pass protective laws even if Congress may overturn them; founded an ANC Home Rule caucus.[src]	Reestablish community-oriented policing under MPD's statutory obligations; fund violence-interruption programs backed by rigorous research.[src]	Proposes a Housing Production Omnibus Act refocusing the Housing Production Trust Fund on construction; expand mixed-income housing; simplify TOPA transactions for tenants.[src]	Backs a tiered surcharge on realized capital gains for the top 1% to fund vouchers, child tax credits, and pay equity.[src]	Dedicated bus lanes on all key corridors, a complete connected protected-bike-lane network, better bus shelters; backs STEER Act suits against dangerous drivers.[src]	Create an education Council with stronger accountability for performance metrics, targeting Ward 1's low test scores and school facility maintenance.[src]
DRashida Brown	Calls this the gravest Home Rule threat in DC history; would work strategically with the mayor, use federal lobbying experience, organize grassroots statehood movements.[src]	Pair community policing with evidence-based violence prevention; send mental health crisis teams to some calls; opposes expanding youth curfews.[src]	Update the Comprehensive Plan and land-use map to legalize apartments citywide; support rental assistance, down-payment help, and tenant protections.[src]	Says the budget is balanced on the most vulnerable; proposes comprehensive tax reform and a permanent tax and revenue commission to broaden the base.[src]	Prioritize pedestrians, cyclists, and transit over cars: fare-free buses, protected bike lanes, road pricing, and removing parking minimums near transit.[src]	Redirect funding to close disparities between schools west of the park and east of the river; support educator retention and school mental health services.[src]
DTerry Lynch	Says the mayor and AG must lead, but councilmembers must stand and speak with residents the federal government is threatening; tearing families apart is wrong.[src]	Close open-air drug markets, shift police to foot patrols, fix streetlights; supports youth curfews alongside expanded afterschool programs.[src]	A use-it-or-lose-it policy on vacant properties, 5,000 new Ward 1 housing units, and closing rent-control loopholes to preserve affordable housing.[src]	Close tax loopholes, properly tax undervalued properties, tax professional athletes' DC earnings; prioritize public health, education, and safety.[src]	Step up enforcement against dangerous drivers of all vehicle types, impound vehicles with outstanding tickets, require identifiers on all vehicles and bikes.[src]	Vigorous oversight of school maintenance; robust afterschool arts, academics, and athletics programs developed with parents and principals.[src]

Other tools

Council Ward 1

5 declared candidates

Issue-by-issue comparison

External voter guides for this race