2026 At-Large Councilmember Candidates

By

AARP

 
Updated August 04, 2026
Updated August 04, 2026
AARP

Below are the responses from the candidates on the ballot for At-Large Councilmember in the 2026 General election. The question precedes each group of responses. Candidate responses are listed for each party and are identified by their initials. Candidates were limited to 500 characters for each response.

candidates for at-large
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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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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