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2026 At-Large Councilmember Candidates
AARP
Below are the responses from the candidates on the ballot for At-Large Councilmember in the 2026 Primary election. The question precedes each group of responses. Responses are listed in alphabetical order for each party, and the candidates are identified by their initials. Candidates were limited to 500 characters for each response.
AARP
AARP’s 2025 Vital Voices survey of District residents age 45+ found that nearly half (48%) are concerned about being able to repair or modify their homes to live safely in them and the community they love as they grow older. Programs such as Safe at Home have received only flat funding year over year, even while demand for the program has grown.
Question: How would you work to ensure that older adults can remain safe in their homes?
Democratic Party
KC- I will prioritize increased funding for programs like Safe at Home to ensure older adults can safely and affordably remain in their homes. As Director of the Committee with oversight over DACL, I helped ensure the agency budget was protected the last 4 budget cycles. We also must enhance the Single-Family Residential Rehabilitation Program with DHCD.
DD- My priority is ensuring District residents can age with dignity in the District—not just within four walls. Home isn't just a building. It's the community. I'll fight to increase funding for Safe at Home and similar programs to meet growing demand. But safety also means accessible transit, affordable services, and neighborhoods where older adults can thrive.
DF- As a single mother raising children and now the grandmother of two boys, I understand firsthand the challenges of maintaining a home over time. Programs such as Safe at Home are essential lifelines, yet they have received only flat funding year over year, even as demand continues to grow. Without increased investment and expansion, too many residents will be left without the support they need to stay safely in their homes.
FH- Aging in place is the most affordable and dignified option for most seniors. Safe at Home demand continues to grow — I'll support its appropriation and will push to streamline the application process, reduce wait times, and expand eligibility.
GJ- Aging in place is essential for stability and dignity. I support expanding property tax relief, home repair grants, and estate planning assistance so seniors (especially longtime residents) are not displaced. We must also increase funding for Safe at Home to reduce wait times and expand access to critical home modifications.
LJ- Older adults must be able to age safely with dignity in the communities they call home. With a professional background in home healthcare, I have seen how unmet needs lead to preventable crises. As a former DC Senior Ambassador, I ensured residents 60+ received critical information, and I managed food insecurity and socialization portfolios in Wards 1, 7, and 8. I will expand and fully fund Safe at Home, streamline access, and invest in coordinated home- and community-based care systems.
OO- Safe at Home has a waitlist while demand grows — that is a promise DC has not kept. As DC's Shadow Representative and Ward 8 resident I have seen seniors in Congress Heights living with broken heat, sewage failures, and no resources for basic home repairs. As Councilmember I will increase Safe at Home funding to meet actual demand, eliminate the waitlist, expand home modification support, and mobilize DC's volunteer networks so every senior can age safely where they belong.
LR- I would push to align Safe at Home funding with demand. Beyond funding, I'd work to streamline the application process, reduce waitlists, and expand outreach to residents who qualify but don't know the program exists. I'd also explore partnerships with local nonprofits and trade apprenticeship programs to expand repair capacity. Keeping older adults safely housed is a dignity issue and a smart investment in our communities.
CTN- After watching seniors forced from homes they've owned for decades because they can't afford repairs keeping them safe, I'll push for Safe at Home funding increased annually, because when half of DC's older adults fear they can't age in place, that's a crisis. Our seniors built this city, they deserve grab bars, ramp installations, and home modifications without waitlists.
Republican Party
DG- While using current programs, it doesn’t seem like they’re inadequate, enough for what elderly people wish to have with living in their home with dignity and respect and also for repairs utilizing different aspects of DC it would be better to have one trained person with students to fix repair and all proper paperwork that is needed to assist if not for free but at a severely discounted rate, the District should definitely subsidize this program.
Green Party
DM- I support expanding programs like My Way to help older adults live safely at home. I will advocate for increased funding to grow these programs and ensure they serve families across all income levels. I will work to make them more accessible and user-friendly for people with varying abilities. By collaborating with community partners, I will address barriers to access and ensure these programs remain sustainable and effective for our aging residents.
In 2025, 64% of respondents to an AARP survey reported feeling unheard, or their concerns dismissed, by their health care provider. Findings from a 2023 AARP survey showed that residents East of the Anacostia River faced disproportionate barriers to quality care, underscoring the need for targeted investments in these historically underserved communities. These gaps contribute to poorer health outcomes for many older residents.
Question: How would you address these health disparities and work to improve access to affordable, high‑quality, and culturally competent care for older adults?
Democratic Party
KC- I live in Ward 7 and have heard these same issues from my neighbors. I will advocate for targeted investments in community health centers that deliver culturally competent care. Collaborating with healthcare providers, we will implement training programs focused on communication and understanding of diverse needs. All residents deserve access to affordable, high-quality healthcare, especially our seniors, who made this city what it is today.
DD- I'll legislate feedback channels so older adults shape their care, and build data systems that measure outcomes and drive real change for long-term viability in every community. Fixing disparities requires community ownership. I want to ensure that residents East of the Anacostia are first at the table for their healthcare. I'll invest in pipelines training community members as healthcare workers and advocates so older adults can access culturally competent, affordable, and high-quality care.
DF- As a proud DC native from Southeast, this issue is deeply personal. I have seen firsthand how decades of underinvestment have created barriers to quality health care in Ward 7 and Ward 8. I have fought to protect Providence Hospital and demanded accountability in major health transitions. We need leadership rooted in lived experience that will fight for equity, access, and real investment east of the river.
FH- I support DC's network of community health centers east of the Anacostia, support funding culturally competent care training, and would support strengthening language access requirements. I also support telehealth for homebound seniors.
GJ- I will expand community-based care East of the Anacostia River, including clinics, mobile services, and tele-health. I support investing in culturally competent, bilingual providers and strengthening the healthcare workforce. Through oversight, I will require accountability for patient experience and outcomes. Reducing barriers to affordable, high-quality care must be a priority for older adults.
LJ- Health disparities among older adults in DC are rooted in structural inequities-provider shortages, underinvestment East of the Anacostia, and bias in care delivery. I will advance targeted funding for community-based clinics, expand Medicaid reimbursement for culturally competent and geriatric care, strengthen workforce diversity, and enforce accountability through patient experience data. Care must be accessible, affordable, and affirming especially where the need is greatest.
OO- As a pharmacist serving patients across DC I see these disparities directly — 64% of older adults feeling dismissed is a systems failure, not a coincidence. The 22-year life expectancy gap between Northwest and Southeast neighborhoods reflects decades of disinvestment. I will raise Medicaid reimbursement rates so providers stay in underserved communities, restore the DC Healthcare Alliance, expand no-cost clinics East of the River, and fund culturally competent care in every ward.
LR- Older residents often face complex healthcare needs, but we are facing a shortage of geriatric providers. I would prioritize funding community health workers and culturally competent care in Ward 7 and 8, where gaps are most acute. I'd advocate for expanded telehealth access, mobile health clinics, and stronger oversight of providers who repeatedly dismiss patient concerns. Partnering with trusted community anchors like churches and senior centers to connect residents with care is essential.
CTN- The heart of my campaign rests on three things I want people who support me to know: leadership makes you feel seen, heard, and valued.
The fact that 64% of respondents feel unheard by providers, with worse outcomes linked to that for seniors east of the river, isn't a communication problem, it's a structural issue where healthcare treats older adults, especially Black and brown elders, as burdens rather than people deserving respect and quality care.
Republican Party
DG- Washington DC especially east of the Anacostia is ridiculously low on health services although metro access is available to take persons two and from their perspective medical appointments which can be access throughout the city. They’re highly inadequate with the wait times and working with our partners to open up local clinics and programs to assist with potential zoom calls or assisting in other methods of getting medical treatment without having to go into the office.
Green Party
DM- I will address health disparities by expanding access to affordable, high-quality care tailored to older adults’ cultural and linguistic needs. I will advocate for increased funding for community health programs and partner with local organizations to deliver culturally competent services. By removing barriers and promoting education, I will ensure all older adults receive respectful, effective care that honors their diverse backgrounds and improves health outcomes.
The Housing Production Trust Fund (HPTF) is the District’s primary tool for creating and preserving affordable housing, a need that’s growing more urgent. In 2025, AARP research found that 58% of District residents age 45+ struggled to pay their rent or mortgage in the past year. More than one‑third had to take on debt, find extra work, or cutback on essentials like healthy food and saving for retirement in order to cover housing costs.
Question: How will you address the need for affordable housing for individuals 50+ and their families?
Democratic Party
KC- During law school, I worked for AARP to protect tenants and seniors. As your next Councilmember At-Large, I will push to exempt seniors with limited income from property taxes on properties valued below $1 million, increase the shallow subsidy from $600 to $1,000, and develop an Inclusionary Housing program to reserve some lower-level units in new buildings for qualifying seniors. As for the HPTF, we need tiered funding at various levels of area median income.
DD- Housing security shouldn't force anyone to choose between rent and food or retirement savings. I'll robustly fund the HPTF and expand workforce housing by embedding it in city employment contracts and developer negotiations, letting employees build roots and remain housed through retirement. This stabilizes AMI metrics, protecting older adults aging in place while integrating new residents.
DF- As an ANC Commissioner, I pushed for responsible economic development that included real affordable housing at the lower end of the AMI. As a commissioner on DCHA, I would not support development unless it increased the number of affordable, family-sized units. I have watched loved ones and friends be priced out of our city while DC has failed to fully invest in the Housing Production Trust Fund and properly use our resources to build and preserve affordable housing.
FH- I support reforming the Housing Production Trust Fund to prioritize units where seniors on fixed incomes live and I'll push to expand senior-designated affordable units.
GJ- I will fully fund and strengthen oversight of the Housing Production Trust Fund to expand deeply affordable housing. I support property tax relief, home repair grants, and estate planning assistance to help older adults remain in their homes. We must also increase housing supply and support homeownership so residents 50+ can stay, age in place, and maintain stability.
LJ- Affordable housing is foundational to dignity, health, and the ability to age in place. I will protect and expand the Housing Production Trust Fund with a focus on deeply affordable, accessible homes for residents 50+. I will also expand TOPA to include a tax break for residents over 60, helping them stay in their homes. We must preserve existing housing and pair it with supportive services so no one is forced into debt or displacement to remain in their community.
OO- 58% of DC residents 45+ struggling to pay rent is a crisis. As DC's Shadow Representative I have fought federal interference that undermines DC's housing tools. As Councilmember I will dedicate Housing Production Trust Fund dollars to preservation, TOPA transactions, and nonprofit acquisitions that protect seniors from displacement. I will restore ERAP, strengthen property tax relief, and cap rent increases at CPI so seniors are not forced to choose between housing and food.
LR- I would fight to fully fund the HPTF and push for greater housing production across all eight wards, including units designed for older residents. Increasing overall supply is essential to driving down costs and reducing displacement. New affordable housing projects receiving taxpayer money should be accessible to seniors and people with disabilities. I would also support tax benefits for long-term homeowners so older Washingtonians can stay in the city they built.
CTN- I want to see the HPTF expanded to serve more residents than it has in the past. I take this topic as an all options on the table approach is required to get somewhere meaningful. For example, we can explore how property tax freeze programs for longtime senior homeowners help them stay in DC, so they're not assessed out of homes they own outright because surrounding luxury development inflated values.
Republican Party
DG- The district of Columbia has a lot of reduce rent housing that many people can’t afford the people that cannot afford it. We need to make sure that there is somebody that works directly in the community and directly with individual people to where they can facilitate and answer any questions and assist with filling out forms and filing things online to assist people that are having trouble.
Green Party
DM- I will prioritize incrementally increasing funding for the HPTF to expand affordable housing options for residents 50+ and advocate for policies that protect renters and support low- and moderate-income families homeownership. Collaborate with community groups and developers, working to create safe, affordable homes that prevent financial strain, helping older adults maintain stability without sacrificing essentials like food or retirement savings. Using a model currently used by Mary's House.
Many older and low‑income residents rely on Senior SmarTrip, Senior MedExpress, and ConnectorCard to reach essential services. Yet AARP research shows significant gaps in the system. Fewer than half of residents 45 and older rate public transit highly for affordability or maintenance and less than half say stops are safe and accessible for people with mobility challenges. Just one‑third believe specialized transportation for older adults and people with disabilities meets their needs.
Question: How would you work to ensure safe access to these transportation options for seniors and people with disabilities?
Democratic Party
KC- I am proud to have helped secure a significant increase in funding for the ConnectorCard program during the FY26 budget discussions. DC offers several free or discounted alternative transportation options, and I will complement this with an all-in-one benefits card linking ConnectorCard, SmarTrip, Medicare, EBT/TANF, and other eligible services. DC must have a world-class, accessible transit system that moves folks where they need to go.
DD- WMATA is the District's lifeline. Seniors and people with disabilities deserve a system that truly meets their needs. Better infrastructure benefits every rider, for seniors, people with disabilities, and our schoolchildren. I'll strengthen our city's relationship with WMATA by investing in better city infrastructure to improve WMATA reliability, like dedicated bus lanes and canopied, accessible stops for safety.
DF- As DC moves forward with Vision Zero, targeting safer streets, reduced car dependency, and improved accessibility, our aging community must be at the center of the plan. We must invest in reliable, affordable, and accessible transportation options for seniors so they can safely get to medical appointments, grocery stores, and community services. Ensuring mobility and independence for older residents is essential to building a safer, more equitable city for all.
FH- I'll advocate for Senior SmarTrip and MedExpress funding, improved ADA compliance at bus stops and Metro stations, and paratransit capacity. Safe, accessible transit is a lifeline for seniors.
GJ- I will prioritize funding to improve transit safety, reliability, and accessibility, including better lighting, maintenance, and ADA-compliant stops. I support expanding para-transit and specialized services like Senior MedExpress to reduce wait times and increase coverage. Through oversight, I will hold agencies accountable to ensure seniors and people with disabilities can access safe, affordable transportation.
LJ- Transportation is a lifeline, not a luxury. I will fully fund Senior SmarTrip, MedExpress, and ConnectorCard to make them free, simple to use, and truly accessible. That means safer, well-lit, ADA-compliant stops, expanded and reliable paratransit, and real-time updates riders can trust. I will demand accountability so seniors and residents with disabilities can move through our city with safety, dignity, and independence.
OO- Senior SmarTrip, Senior MedExpress, and ConnectorCard are lifelines — and they are failing too many residents. Inaccessible stops, unreliable paratransit, and underfunded specialized services affect seniors districtwide. As Councilmember I will fight for the DMV Moves regional funding plan, expand accessible stops and sidewalks across all eight wards, fully protect these specialized programs, and ensure transportation policy centers seniors and people with disabilities first.
LR- Many older residents miss medical care or groceries because transit doesn’t work for them. AARP and Capitol Hill Village highlight gaps in safety and accessibility. We should hold WMATA accountable, expand MetroAccess and MedExpress, invest in on-demand microtransit and volunteer drivers, and create a simple one-call hub so seniors can easily find and use rides.
CTN- In DC and our current state of transportation is almost entirely under the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s purview. As a city, we have to ensure that we’re getting the most from our dollars and providing the oversight necessary to know our dollars are going to good use.
Republican Party
DG- This is definitely something that needs to be addressed with metro and with our transportation partners I do understand. Metro has had a lot of problems with their elevator systems and their escalators if the local metro station is unable to handle us a person with certain disabilities than they need to provide an alternative transportation, such as the metro access or Different partners within the district of Columbia.
Green Party
DM- I will work to enhance transportation for seniors and people with disabilities, advocating for increased funding enhancing safety, accessibility, and maintenance of public transit stops. I will push for expanded specialized transportation services tailored to their needs and collaborate with community groups to identify gaps. My goal is to ensure affordable, reliable, and safe transit options that empower older adults and those with mobility challenges to access essential services independently
Despite District initiatives aimed at attracting full‑service grocery stores (i.e., stores that offer a wide selection of fresh produce, meats, dairy, and other essential staples) to underserved neighborhoods, many neighborhoods still lack adequate access to healthy, affordable produce and other food. Older adults, who often face mobility limitations, are on fixed incomes, and have health challenges are disproportionately affected, contributing to DC’s high rate of senior food insecurity.
Question: How would you work to ensure District residents age 50+ and their families can access affordable, quality food?
Democratic Party
KC- We have to think creatively about ways to utilize the money we invest in our nutrition programs. I will collaborate with major chains and independent stores to expand into food deserts. Additionally, Grocery Plus and the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program are valuable services. I will add to this by offering in-restaurant dining benefits for seniors eligible for congregate or frozen meal delivery services within DACL.
DD- I'll champion community and city-owned grocers, urban farming, and streamlined pathways for businesses filling food gaps. Government as a service means using today's technology to connect older adults to affordable food efficiently. Cutting bureaucracy attracts innovators while expanding access. As an educator, I knew I wanted all of my students to eat and I found that the community needed to eat too
DF- I live in Ward 7, where the closest grocery store is two miles away. We’ve been promised a full-service grocery store, but it has not materialized. Older adults are especially impacted due to fixed incomes, mobility challenges, and health needs, contributing to high senior food insecurity. We must ensure every community has reliable access to healthy, affordable food.
FH- Seniors on fixed incomes shouldn't have to travel miles for fresh produce. I'll push to continue funding senior-focused food delivery programs, and use zoning and economic incentives to attract full-service grocery stores to underserved areas.
GJ- I will expand incentives to bring full-service grocery stores to underserved areas, especially East of the Anacostia River. I support mobile markets, food delivery options, and strengthening SNAP and senior nutrition programs. We must also invest in safe transportation and community partnerships to ensure older adults can reliably access affordable, healthy food.
LJ- Food access is personal to me, I live East of the River and I’m a caregiver for my mother over 60, so I know firsthand what it means when healthy food is not nearby or affordable. I will fully fund and expand Healthy Food Financing to bring full-service grocers into underserved neighborhoods, invest in mobile markets and reliable senior delivery, and strengthen SNAP and senior nutrition supports. No resident 50+ should struggle to eat with dignity in this city.
OO- As a pharmacist I know food is medicine and senior food insecurity is a health emergency. Attracting grocery stores without addressing mobility, fixed incomes, and transportation has not worked. As a districtwide elected official I have fought for communities the District has underserved for decades. As Councilmember I will invest in corner store conversions, food cooperatives, home delivery for seniors, and integrate nutrition support directly into healthcare and home visiting programs
LR- Food deserts are a policy failure. I would use zoning incentives and targeted subsidies to attract full-service grocers to underserved neighborhoods. In the interim, I would partner with nonprofit initiatives like FreshFarm to expand access to SNAP double-dollar programs at farmers' markets. In many ways, this problem was created by city government’s disinvestment in low-income neighborhoods, and as your Councilmember, I will work to make it right.
CTN- DC's must do better to ensure older adults can access affordable, healthy food in their own neighborhoods. No resident should live more than half-mile from fresh food, regardless of the source (grocery store, farmers market, or urban farm).
Republican Party
DG- This becomes a problem when private companies that do business within the district Columbia do earn taxes, but there should be either a discount or a free delivery service from one of our fresher partners such as Whole Foods giant Safeway street market all of these grocery stores that do deliver, but they charge a ridiculous fee for it if they want to continue doing business within the district they need to help our elderly And do it either as a severe discount if not free.
Green Party
DM- I will work to increase access to affordable, quality food for residents 50+ by supporting initiatives that bring full-service grocery stores to underserved neighborhoods. I will promote partnerships with local farmers and food programs to deliver fresh produce directly to seniors, especially those with mobility challenges. Additionally, I will advocate for expanded nutrition assistance and community-based solutions to reduce food insecurity among older adults and their families.
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