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2026 Mayoral Candidates
AARP
Below are the responses from the candidates on the ballot for Mayor 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
GG- I will increase program funding and streamline applications so seniors get grab bars and ramps before a fall forces them out. My Improvement Protection Credit freezes property tax assessments for five years when homeowners add accessibility features, so making your home safer does not price you out of it. My Capital Corps Elder Care branch will provide companionship and daily living support for seniors across all eight wards.
EJ- I will increase and stabilize funding for home modification programs like Safe at Home and target resources to the neighborhoods with the greatest need. I will streamline applications, partner with trusted community organizations for outreach, and coordinate building, health, and social services so repairs, accessibility upgrades, and fall-prevention supports reach older adults before a crisis
JLG- I will establish a “Right to Age in Place” to ensure access to accessibility upgrades and repairs—especially for low-income seniors and residents with disabilities. I’ll expand Safe at Home to eliminate waitlists and will require detailed annual reporting.
I will scale Senior Villages that provide social connection, navigation support, and help with daily needs. I’ll build more housing with senior set-asides in every ward for residents who want to leave their home but stay in their neighborhood.
KM- As Mayor, I will ensure funding aligns with the cost of living for Safe at Home, a program which provides grants up to $10,000 for accessibility modifications, and expand the program to cover HVAC repairs and code violations so seniors are not forced out by unsafe conditions. I will establish a Senior Protection Corps to combat predatory practices that destabilize senior homeowners, and expand estate planning support so seniors can protect and pass on the homes they have built their lives in.
VO- I will fully support and expand Safe at Home, reduce wait times, and prioritize grab bars, ramps, stair lifts, and fall-prevention repairs. I will also better connect seniors to home health aides, caregiver support, and neighborhood services so they can age in place safely, with dignity, in the communities they helped build.
RS- Safe at Home works, and I will protect its funding and fight to keep pace with growing demand. As Mayor, I will direct Department of Aging and Community Living (DACL) to reduce wait times, expand eligibility outreach in every ward, create a dedicated aging-in-place coordinator to connect residents to home repair, weatherization, and fall prevention services, and partner with community organizations to reach seniors so they can stay in the homes and neighborhoods they love.
HS- Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire
Green Party
RG- I will expand "Safe at Home" with performance-based funding and AI-driven intake to reduce delays. My administration's Human Life Standard (HLS) will combine housing, health, and mobility services into one integrated pipeline. We will fund eco-friendly home modifications, expand caregiver support, and deploy mobile service teams so residents can remain safely and independently in their homes.
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
GG- Too many older residents, especially East of the River, skip appointments because of cost, distance, or providers who do not listen. Fare-Free DC eliminates transit fares for all DC residents, so a senior in Ward 7 can reach a specialist at Sibley without choosing between the fare and a copay. The Capital Corps Health branch will deploy trained members into clinics and community health settings to support patient navigation, follow-up, and culturally responsive outreach in every ward.
EJ- I will expand community-based clinics and mobile care east of the river, tie DC funding to clear standards for cultural competence and patient communication, and grow a pipeline of providers from the communities they serve. I'll strengthen care coordination, language access, and transportation to appointments, and use public reporting so older adults can see which providers deliver respectful, high-quality care.
JLG- I will expand Medicaid home- and community-based services so seniors can stay out of institutions. I will strengthen Cedar Hill to meet the needs of seniors and others with chronic disease. I will hire more community health workers and create mobile clinics to engage seniors in their community. I will set high standards for cultural competency and patient-centered care. I will launch chronic disease initiatives for diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease in high-disparity neighborhoods.
KM- As Councilmember, I helped establish the Mayor's Commission on Health Equity. As Mayor, I will require Health Equity Audits on every new regulation, rejecting any rule that raises costs or delays access for Ward 7 and 8 residents. I will enforce Any Willing Provider laws, expand urgent care east of the river through Federally Qualified Health Centers, deploy community health workers into neighborhoods, and expand access to allied health services by removing unnecessary referral barriers.
VO- I will direct targeted investment east of the Anacostia River, expand senior primary care, behavioral health, and preventive care, and insist on culturally competent, patient-centered care. We must improve care coordination, transportation to appointments, telehealth access, and affordability for prescriptions and premiums.
RS- Health disparities east of the Anacostia River are real, and unacceptable. As Mayor, I will sustain funding for community health centers in Wards 7 and 8, require culturally competent care as a condition of DC Health contracts, launch a senior health navigator program so older adults have a real advocate, and direct DC Health to publicly report outcomes by ward so we can measure progress and hold ourselves accountable.
HS- Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire
Green Party
RG- Healthcare must deliver dignity and outcomes, I will integrate physical, mental, and community-based care under the HLS with real-time performance tracking. We will expand clinics East of the Anacostia River, enforce cultural competency standards, and deploy mobile and telehealth units. If providers fail to listen, measure, or improve outcomes, funding will shift to those who do.
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
GG- My Affordable DC plan builds 50,000 new homes by 2032, including units designed for every phase of life. I will fully fund the HPTF and deploy permanent affordability tools: community land trusts, existing building covenants, and social housing units. For homeowners 50+, I will raise the senior property tax credit income ceiling to $110,000, cut assessment caps to 5% for long-term owners, and freeze assessments after accessibility improvements. Seniors should not be taxed out of homes they own.
EJ- I will prioritize seniors in DC's housing strategy by dedicating a meaningful share of Housing Production Trust Fund dollars to deeply affordable, accessible units for people 50+ and preserving existing senior housing. I'll expand property tax relief, rent assistance, and eviction-prevention supports for older adults, and coordinate DHCD, DACL, and nonprofit partners so seniors are not forced to choose between housing, medicine, and food.
JLG- I will expand the Housing Production Trust Fund with set-asides for seniors. I will expand rental assistance for seniors, including shallow subsidies for those just above eligibility thresholds who are struggling. I will promote alternative housing options, including accessory dwelling units and multigenerational housing, by streamlining permitting, offering technical assistance, and providing financial incentives. I’ll strengthen the ReMIT program to protect seniors who have reverse mortgages.
KM- As a Councilmember, I authored laws mandating affordable housing through public land dispositions and directing surplus funds to the HPTF. I championed the McMillan Sand Filtration Site development that will produce 85 affordable units for seniors. As Mayor, I will provide direct housing support to seniors, maximize HPTF efficiency to produce more deeply affordable units at 30% AMI and below, and scale up the Safe at Home modification program so more seniors can age in place.
RS- The Housing Production Trust Fund (HPTF) must keep prioritizing seniors. As Mayor, I will direct HPTF toward deeply affordable units for residents 50 and older, strengthen protections against displacement, sustain the Senior Citizens Home Repair program, and oppose any cuts to rental assistance that force seniors to choose between their homes and other essentials. This is a policy failure we must fix.
HS- Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire
Green Party
RG- Housing affordability requires structural reform. I will expand HPTF with outcome-based funding tied to units delivered and stability achieved. My Administration will enact a "District Housing Utilization & Stability Act" where we will modernize voucher allocation. Matching seniors and families to the right units to reduce vacancies and stabilize households.
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
GG- Fare-Free DC eliminates fares on all Metrobus and Metrorail for DC residents. Every bus, every train, zero dollars. Seniors will no longer navigate discount programs or worry about fare costs to reach doctors, groceries, or community. I will pair fare elimination with accessibility upgrades at stations and stops, expanded late-night bus service, and accountability standards so free transit actually shows up on time. Freedom of movement should not depend on income, age, or ability.
EJ- I will treat transportation for older adults and people with disabilities as a core safety and equity issue, not a luxury. I'll fully fund and modernize Senior SmartTrip, Senior MedExpress, and ConnectorCard; improve paratransit reliability; and require WMATA and DCDOT to upgrade stops, sidewalks, lighting, and crossings. I'll also expand driver training and rider feedback so services are safer, more respectful, and more responsive to seniors' needs.
JLG- First, I will expand and simplify access to Connector Card and Transport DC, including automatic enrollment for eligible seniors. I will require agencies to reduce administrative barriers. I will increase same-day and on-demand transportation options, particularly for medical appointments and essential trips. Infrastructure must also improve. I will invest in safer sidewalks, better lighting, and accessible crossings, prioritizing neighborhoods with the greatest need, including Wards 7 and 8.
KM- On the Council, I secured Connector Card funding and will expand it as Mayor to cover more eligible seniors, including older returning citizens. I will work with WMATA to grow Metro Lift reduced-fare access and make enrollment automatic. I will accelerate bus lane and signal priority investments to cut travel times and dedicate capital budget dollars to accessibility features at busy intersections and stops citywide. I will also add lighting, shelters, benches, and curb ramps at more stops.
VO- I will strengthen Senior SmarTrip, Senior MedExpress, and ConnectorCard by making them easier to access, better funded, and more reliable. I will upgrade bus stops, sidewalks, lighting, crossings, and elevators, and enforce stronger accessibility, safety, and maintenance standards so seniors and residents with disabilities can travel with confidence.
RS- It’s unacceptable if a senior can’t reach a doctor or essential service because transit failed them. As Mayor, I will work to sustain Senior MedExpress and ConnectorCard funding, push to maximize their reach for low-income riders, prioritize accessible and safe bus stop infrastructure in every ward, and hold WMATA accountable for reliability and on-time performance on the routes older residents depend on most.
HS- Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire
Green Party
RG- I plan to create an “Integrated Mobility & Accessibility Act” of 2027, it will unify WMATA, paratransit, and local services into one system. We will upgrade stop safety, improve ADA accessibility, and deploy real-time tracking of transit services. Using AI optimization, we will reduce wait times and improve reliability so seniors and residents with disabilities can move safely and 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
GG- I will use tax incentives and streamlined permitting to attract full-service grocery stores to underserved neighborhoods and invest in indoor vertical farming to grow affordable, fresh produce locally, year-round. Fare-Free DC removes the transit barrier so seniors can reach stores beyond walking distance. I will expand senior meal programs, farmers market benefit matching, and deploy Capital Corps members for grocery delivery and nutrition outreach.
EJ- I will expand incentives for full-service grocers and cooperatives in underserved neighborhoods while supporting corner stores to offer affordable fresh produce. I'll strengthen senior nutrition programs, home-delivered meals, and mobile markets so older adults with mobility or health challenges are not left out. I'll also improve transportation to food hubs and protect SNAP and local supplements for residents 50+ on fixed incomes.
JLG- I will increase SNAP participation among seniors through automatic enrollment pilots and simplified applications and recertification. I will expand home-delivered meals and congregate dining programs, focused on homebound seniors and underserved communities. I will expand “food as medicine” programs, so providers can prescribe healthy food for patients with chronic conditions. I will launch a multilingual outreach campaign to reduce stigma and ensure seniors can access available resources.
KM- Every Washingtonian deserves access to a full-service grocery store. On the Council, I supported legislation to bring full-service grocery stores to Wards 5, 7, and 8. As Mayor, I will use targeted incentives to bring grocery retailers to underserved neighborhoods, expand medically tailored meal programs for seniors with chronic conditions, fund on-demand non-emergency transport to food sources, and integrate food access into my Healthy DC Community Investment Package as a core driver of health.
VO- I will use public-private partnerships to bring more full-service grocery stores to underserved neighborhoods, especially east of the river, expand home-delivered meals and senior nutrition programs, and improve SNAP outreach. I will also back neighborhood grocers, farmers markets, and healthy food delivery so older adults and families can afford fresh, quality food close to home.
RS- DC has one of the highest rates of senior food insecurity in the nation, and residents east of the Anacostia River bear the worst of it. As Mayor, I will sustain DACL meal delivery funding, direct stronger SNAP outreach to seniors who are eligible but not enrolled, use existing tools like the Neighborhood Prosperity Fund to attract full-service grocers east of the river, and fully fund the Give SNAP a Raise Amendment
HS- Candidate did not respond to the questionnaire
Green Party
RG- Food access should be a public health priority, my administration will expand healthy food access through the HLS by aligning incentives for grocery store development, mobile markets, and urban agriculture. We will integrate delivery for seniors, strengthen SNAP/WIC access, and use data to target food deserts. No resident should have to choose between food, medicine, and housing.
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