WARD 3 VOTE!
WARD 3
VOTE!
Community Voter Guide
Featured on 88.5 WAMU · our local NPR station
11.5K Viewers · since launch

An unbiased voter guide and election calendar connecting Ward 3 residents with the 2026 primary — featuring candidate profiles, questionnaires, and forums & debates happening across the District.

Covering Ward 3 Cleveland Park · Tenleytown · Friendship Heights · Chevy Chase DC · American University Park · Forest Hills · Van Ness · Palisades · Woodley Park · Spring Valley · Wesley Heights · Kent · Berkley · Foxhall Village · Foxhall Crescent · Cathedral Heights · McLean Gardens · Glover Park · North Cleveland Park · Wakefield · Hawthorne · Massachusetts Avenue Heights

Primary Day · June 16, 2026 Early Voting · June 8–14, 2026 First DC Primary with Ranked Choice Voting 8 Citywide Races · 4 Open Seats Ward 3 Council · Frumin Unopposed Non-Partisan · Unbiased Primary Day · June 16, 2026 Early Voting · June 8–14, 2026 First DC Primary with Ranked Choice Voting 8 Citywide Races · 4 Open Seats Ward 3 Council · Frumin Unopposed Non-Partisan · Unbiased
A Simple Idea

For a Big Election Year.

Ward 3 VOTE! is a non-partisan voter guide and election calendar built to connect Ward 3 residents to this important 2026 primary. Ward 3 VOTE! is your one place for candidate profiles, questionnaires, and calendar dates for forums & debates happening across the District.

Ward 3 voters have an incredible voter turnout record — sometimes topping the citywide average by a full ten percentage points. Simply put, your vote matters! The 2026 primary stakes are high with open seats to elect a new Mayor, US House Delegate, and the Democratic At-Large Councilmember. With the debut of Ranked Choice Voting, Ward 3 voters need to be educated on all the candidates to have a strategy on ranking multiple candidates in this primary election.

This is the most competitive DC primary in a generation. Your vote matters. Make a plan. VOTE! — The Ward 3 VOTE! Mission

Ward 3 VOTE! is a virtual aggregator — curating and consolidating the work of ANCs, citizens associations, neighborhood listservs, faith congregations, housing facilities, and community boards to give you, the Ward 3 voter, one place to be educated, informed, and ready to cast your vote for the June 16th primary election.

Watch

Why we made Ward 3 VOTE!

A short introduction from Monte and Tricia on the mission behind the guide and what's at stake in the June 16th primary.

Ward 3 VOTE! · 2026 Primary Voter Guide · Made by Your Neighbors
The 2026 Primary Ballot

Meet the Candidates

Ward 3 voters will cast critical votes this primary in several races — three of them open seats. Click on each race to learn about the function of that elected office and explore each candidate running.

Verified using the DC Board of Elections site and each candidate's official campaign websites. For full bios and policy positions, follow each candidate's linked website. Corrections welcome ↓

Unopposed · Incumbent

Ward 3 DC Council

One of eight ward-level seats on the 13-member DC Council. Introduces and votes on legislation, approves the city's annual budget, serves on committees that oversee city agencies, and approves appointed officials.

1Candidate
Explore
Open Seat

Mayor of DC

The Chief Executive of the District of D.C. has a 'strong mayor' form of government where the Mayor leads every executive agency, proposes the annual budget, signs or vetoes Council legislation, and runs the day-to-day city government.

7Candidates
Explore
Open Seat

US House Delegate

DC's sole voice in Congress. May introduce bills, speak on the House floor, and vote in committee — but not on final passage. Leads the fight for statehood and federal funding.

5Candidates
Explore
Unopposed · Incumbent

DC Council Chair

Presides over the full 13-member Council, elected at-large by all DC voters. Sets the legislative agenda, assigns bills to committees, manages the Council budget, and shapes the annual city budget.

1Candidate
Explore
Open Seat

At-Large Council · Full Term
Dem Primary Ballot

Four of the 13 Council seats are elected citywide (no more than two per party). Represents every DC resident. Anita Bonds is not seeking re-election — this seat is open.

9Candidates
Explore
Special · Open Seat

At-Large Council · Special
Indep./Minor Party Ballot

Per DC's Home Rule Charter, no more than 2 of the 4 At-Large seats may be held by Democrats. This special election primary seat must go to a non-Democrat.

3Candidates
Explore
Incumbent · Contested

DC Attorney General

The DC Attorney General is the District's chief legal officer. The elected role represents the District in legal proceedings, enforces consumer protections, civil rights violations, public safety, juvenile justice, and child support services. Independently elected by DC voters since 2014.

3Candidates
Explore
Unopposed · Incumbent

Shadow US Senator

Elected by DC voters to lobby Congress for DC statehood and Senate voting rights. Not seated as an official U.S. Senator — but the District's elected advocate. DC elects two Shadow US Senators.

1Candidate
Explore
Uncontested

US Shadow Representative

DC's advocate-in-waiting for full House voting rights. Unlike the official Delegate, the Shadow Rep has no formal congressional role — but works to build support for DC statehood legislation.

1Candidate
Explore
Ward 3 DC Council
Unopposed · Incumbent · Ranked Choice · June 16, 2026

One of eight ward-level seats on the 13-member DC Council. Introduces and votes on legislation, approves the city's annual budget, serves on committees that oversee city agencies, and approves appointed officials.

Unopposed · Incumbent
Matt Frumin
Attorney · Ward 3 Councilmember (2023–present)
frumin2026.com
Mayor of the District of Columbia
Open Seat · 7 on Ballot + 1 Write-In · RCV · June 16, 2026

The Mayor is the chief executive of DC. Leads every executive-branch agency, proposes the annual budget, signs or vetoes Council legislation, and oversees day-to-day administration of city services — public safety, infrastructure, housing, education, human services.

Gary Goodweather
Developer
goodweatherfordc.com
Ernest E. Johnson
Broker · Nonprofit CEO
ernestformayor2026.com
Janeese Lewis George
Attorney · Ward 4 Councilmember (2021–present)
Endorsed byGGWash · Karl Racine · Robert C. White
janeesefordc.com
Kenyan McDuffie
Attorney · Former At-Large Councilmember, Independent (2022 – Jan 2026) · Former Ward 5 Councilmember (2012 – 2021)
Endorsed byEric Holder · Anthony Williams
kenyanmcduffie.com
Vincent Orange
Attorney · Former At-Large DC Councilmember (2011–2016) · Former Ward 5 Councilmember (1999–2007)
Website not available
Rini Sampath
Cyber Security Government Contractor
riniformayor.com
Hope Solomon
Community Advocate
hopefordc.com
Yaida Ford
Civil Rights Attorney · Founder, Ford Law Pros
yaida4dc.com
US House Delegate
Open Seat · Non-Voting House Member · RCV · June 16, 2026

The DC Delegate is Washington's sole representative in Congress. The Delegate may introduce legislation, speak on the House floor, and vote in committee — but cannot vote on final passage of bills. The position is DC's primary voice in federal lawmaking, focused on statehood, Home Rule protections, and federal funding for the District.

Trent Holbrook
Attorney
trentholbrook.com
Greg Jaczko
Clean-Energy Executive · University Lecturer
gojaczko4dc.com
Brooke Pinto
Attorney · Ward 2 DC Councilmember (2020–present)
brookepintoforcongress.com
Robert C. White, Jr.
Attorney · At-Large DC Councilmember (2017–present)
joinrobertwhite.com
Kinney Zalesne
Attorney · Founder, Peer Forward
kinneyfordc.com
DC Council Chair
Unopposed · Incumbent · RCV · June 16, 2026

The Council Chair is elected at-large by all DC residents and presides over the full 13-member Council. Sets the legislative agenda, assigns bills to committees, manages committee structure, and plays a central role in shaping the annual city budget and overseeing the executive branch.

Unopposed · Incumbent
Phil Mendelson
DC Council Chairman (2012–present) · Former At-Large DC Councilmember (1998–2012)
mendelson2026.com
At-Large Council · Full Term
Open Seat · Bonds retiring · Dem Primary Ballot · June 16, 2026

At-Large Councilmembers are elected by all DC residents and represent the entire District — not a specific ward. Four of the 13 Council seats are at-large, and no more than two may be held by members of the same party. Incumbent Anita Bonds is not seeking re-election. This Democratic seat is now open.

Kevin B. Chavous
Attorney · DC DNC Committeeman
chavousfordc.com
Dwight Davis
Education Advocate
dwight4dccouncil.com
Dyana Forester
Labor Leader
dyanafordc.com
Fred Hill
Attorney · Small Business Owner
fredhill4dc.com
Gregory Jackson
Executive Advisor, Community Justice Action Fund
jacksonfordc.com
Leniqua'dominique Jenkins
Teacher · Children's Author
votejenkinsfordc.com
Candace Tiana Nelson
Community Organizer
candacefordc.com
Oye Owolewa
DC Shadow US Representative
vote4oye.com
Lisa Raymond
Nonprofit Leader
lisaraymondfordc.com
At-Large Council · Special Election
Open Seat · McDuffie seat · Indep./Minor Party · June 16, 2026

Per DC's Home Rule Charter, no more than 2 of the 4 At-Large seats may be held by Democrats. This seat must go to a non-Democrat. The June 16th special election primary will fill the remainder of this term and a full election will follow in the fall, November 2026.

Doni Crawford
Interim At-Large Councilmember
donicrawford.com
Jacque D. Patterson
President, DC SBOE · USAF Veteran
jacque4dc.com
Elissa Silverman
Former At-Large DC Councilmember (2015–2023)
elissafordc.com
DC Attorney General
Incumbent · Contested · June 16, 2026

The DC Attorney General is the District's chief legal officer. The elected role represents the District in legal proceedings, enforces consumer protections, civil rights violations, public safety, juvenile justice, and child support services. This elected position also provides legal advice and opinions to the Mayor, the DC Council, and all DC government agencies.

Incumbent
Brian Schwalb
DC Attorney General (2023–present)
brianfordc.com
J.P. Szymkowicz
Attorney · ANC 3D Commissioner
jp4dc.com
Manuel Rivera
Attorney
riverafordc.com
Shadow US Senator
Unopposed · Incumbent · June 16, 2026

Two DC Shadow US Senators are elected by DC voters to advocate for DC Statehood and Senate representation. They are elected to lobby and raise awareness of the District's lack of voting rights. These representatives are not seated as official US Senators.

Unopposed · Incumbent
Paul Strauss
Shadow US Senator
paulstrauss.org
US Shadow Representative
Uncontested · June 16, 2026

DC's Shadow Representative is elected to advocate for DC statehood and full House voting rights. Unlike the official DC Delegate, the Shadow Rep has no formal congressional role — but works to build support for statehood legislation in Congress. Incumbent Oye Owolewa is not seeking re-election; Franklin Garcia is the sole declared Democratic candidate.

Sole Declared Democrat
Franklin Garcia
Community Advocate
fgarciadc.com
Event Calendar

Forums, Debates & Town Halls.

Scheduled public candidate events, published questionnaires, and voter information leading up to the June 16th primary. If Ward 3 VOTE! is missing a public event, please let us know and we will post it.

!

Hosting a candidate event? Ward 3 and citywide candidate events will be posted here. If Ward 3 VOTE! is missing something you're hosting or know of, submit the details so we can share with the community.

Submit Event
Past Event
Wed · Apr 22, 2026 · 6:30-8:00 PM
WABA Mayoral Sustainability Forum
Washington Area Bicyclist Association
A discussion on the city's future with DC's mayoral candidates, focusing on the District's health, economic resilience, and environment.
📍 Details on waba.org
Event Details →
Past Event
Thu · Apr 23, 2026 · 12:00-2:00 PM
DC Bar Association Candidate Forum
DC Bar Association
A lunchtime candidate forum hosted by the DC Bar Association. Available both in person and via virtual livestream.
📍 In Person & Virtual
Register / Event Details →
Past Event
Tue · Apr 28, 2026 · Doors 6:00 PM
Mayoral Forum · Future of Safety & Justice
Council for Court Excellence
A mayoral candidate forum on public safety, criminal justice, and the District's justice system. Hosted by CCE at the UDC Ballroom.
📍 UDC Ballroom
Event Details →
Past Event
Wed · Apr 29, 2026 · Tape 4 PM · Air 7 PM
DC Mayoral Primary Debate · WUSA9
WUSA9 · Ward 7 Democrats
A one-hour DC Democratic mayoral primary debate moderated by WUSA9 anchor Lorenzo Hall, with a live studio audience of residents and community leaders. Taped at 4 PM and broadcast live at 7 PM.
📍 WUSA9 Studio · Broadcast live at 7 PM
WUSA9 →
Past Event
Wed · Apr 29, 2026 · 6:00 PM
Ranked Choice Voting Engagement Forum
Mayor's Office · DC Board of Elections
A voter-education forum on ranked choice voting ahead of the June primary. Hear from election experts and get hands-on practice with RCV. Hosted by Mayor Bowser and DC BOE.
📍 Anacostia Rec Center at Ketcham · 1929 15th St SE
RSVP on Eventbrite →
Past Event
Thu · Apr 30, 2026 · Doors 6:00 PM
US House Delegate Forum · Future of Safety & Justice
Council for Court Excellence
A US House Delegate candidate forum on public safety, criminal justice, and federal-District issues. Hosted by CCE at the UDC Ballroom.
📍 UDC Ballroom
Event Details →
Past Event
Mon · May 4, 2026 · 6:30-8:30 PM · Doors 5:30
US House Delegate Forum · UDC
League of Women Voters DC · Consortium of Universities · UDC
A US House Delegate candidate forum hosted at UDC and live-streamed. Co-presented by LWV-DC and the Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area.
📍 UDC · Live-streamed
Event Details →
Past Series · Concluded
May 5-17, 2026
Virtual Citywide Forum Series
Ward 6 Democrats
Virtual series with two mayoral forums (May 5 and May 9), Delegate (May 10), Ward 6 (May 11), two At-Large forums (May 16 and May 17), and Council Chair coverage.
📍 Virtual · Zoom after registration
Register / View Schedule →
Past Event
Tue · May 5, 2026 · 7:00-9:00 PM
DC Mayoral Candidate Forum · Hill Center
Ward 6 & Ward 2 Dems · Spotlight DC
An in-person mayoral candidate forum co-sponsored by Ward 6 & Ward 2 Dems and Spotlight DC.
📍 Hill Center at the Old Naval Hospital · 921 Pennsylvania Ave SE
Link pending →
Past Event
Sat · May 9, 2026 · 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Mayoral & Attorney General Forums
Ward 6 & Ward 2 Dems · Spotlight DC
Back-to-back in-person forums for the Mayoral and DC Attorney General races.
📍 1353 H St NE · Washington, DC
Link pending →
Past Event
Sun · May 10, 2026 · 12:00–2:00 PM
US House Delegate Forum · St. Coletta
Ward 6 & Ward 2 Dems · Spotlight DC
An in-person Delegate candidate forum at St. Coletta of Greater Washington.
📍 St. Coletta of Greater Washington · 1901 Independence Ave SE
Link pending →
Past Event
Thu · May 14, 2026 · Doors 5:30 PM · Forum 6:00–8:30 PM
At-Large Candidate Meet & Greet + RCV Engagement Forum
DC Chamber of Commerce
A combined At-Large Council candidate meet-and-greet plus a ranked choice voting engagement segment ahead of the June primary. Hosted by the DC Chamber of Commerce.
📍 Western Governors University · 80 M Street SE
Register →
Past Event
Sun · May 17, 2026 · 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
At-Large Council Democratic Candidate Forum · St. Coletta
Ward 6 & Ward 2 Dems · Spotlight DC
An in-person At-Large Council (Democratic) candidate forum at St. Coletta of Greater Washington.
📍 St. Coletta of Greater Washington · 1901 Independence Ave SE
Link pending →
Past Event
Mon · May 18, 2026 · 6:00-7:30 PM
Robert C. White Town Hall · US Delegate
Allin4Democracy
Delegate candidate Robert C. White will share his vision for DC and take audience questions. Rescheduled from May 5 — new venue. RSVP: Caroline@joinrobertwhite.com
📍 Cleveland Park Congregational UCC (Main Sanctuary) · 3400 Lowell St NW
Candidate Site →
Past Event
Tue · May 19, 2026 · 7:00 PM
At-Large Special Election Forum · Crawford & Silverman
DC Nightlife Council
A special-election forum with Councilmember Doni Crawford and former Councilmember Elissa Silverman, hosted by the DC Nightlife Council.
📍 Studio Theatre
Link pending →
Past Event
Wed · May 20, 2026
Mayoral Candidate Forum · UDC
League of Women Voters DC · Consortium of Universities · UDC
Mayoral candidate forum at UDC. Co-presented by LWV-DC and the Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area.
📍 UDC
Event Details →
Past Event · Campaign Event
Wed · May 27, 2026 · Doors 7:00 PM · Program 7:30–8:30 PM
Kenyan McDuffie for Mayor · Campaign Reception
Host Committee: Bo Blair · Nancy Taylor Bubes · Mary Cheh · Barrett Evans · Tracy Loh · Monte Monash · John Paleologos · Brendan Sullivan
A campaign reception in support of Kenyan McDuffie's vision for DC. Hosted by the named host committee. RSVP via the Ward 3 VOTE! contact.
📍 Surfside Tenleytown · 4200 Wisconsin Ave NW
RSVP by Email →
Recordings Available
2026 forums now posted
DC for Democracy Forum Recordings
DC for Democracy (DC4D)
DC4D's 2026 elections page links to posted candidate forums and recordings for Ward 1, US Delegate, and a combined mayoral/at-large event.
📍 Online
Watch Recordings →
Voter Guide
Ballot lookup and candidate responses
VOTE411 Voter Guide & Ballot Lookup
League of Women Voters of DC
Enter your address to see your DC primary ballot and read each candidate's unedited responses in the VOTE411 guide.
📍 vote411.org
Open VOTE411 →
Monitor
Unconfirmed for 2026
Cleveland Park Candidate Forum Watch
Cleveland Park Citizens Association
CPCA has hosted candidate events in prior cycles, but Ward 3 VOTE! has not found a confirmed 2026 forum date yet.
📍 Cleveland Park - location not confirmed
Watch CPCA for Updates →
Past Event · Recording Available
Thu · Jun 5, 2026
DC Mayoral Candidates Forum · NBC4
NBC4 Washington · Hosted by Mark Seagraves
A head-to-head mayoral forum with Janeese Lewis George and Kenyan McDuffie, hosted by NBC4 anchor Mark Seagraves — the final televised debate before Primary Day. Topics included public safety, immigration enforcement, federal relations, and the Potomac spill.
📺 NBC4 broadcast · YouTube
Watch on YouTube →
Past Event · Recording Available
Mon · May 18, 2026
DC Democratic Mayoral Primary Debate · FOX 5
FOX 5 DC · Georgetown Institute of Politics & Public Service
Televised Democratic mayoral primary debate co-hosted by FOX 5 DC and Georgetown University's Institute of Politics and Public Service. Full video on YouTube.
📺 FOX 5 broadcast · YouTube
Watch on YouTube →
Past Event · Recording Available
Thu · May 14, 2026
D.C. Congressional Delegate Debate · Meet the Candidates
Spotlight DC · The 51st
Live U.S. House Delegate candidate debate co-presented by Spotlight DC and The 51st news outlet. Full video on YouTube.
📺 Live broadcast · YouTube
Watch on YouTube →
Past Event · Recordings Available
Tue · Apr 28, 2026
DC Debates 2026 · Civic Debate Series
DC Debates · AKA Xi Omega · CWDSF
A civic-engagement debate series covering three races in one evening — Mayor, At-Large Full Term, and At-Large Special. Co-presented by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority's Xi Omega Chapter and the Community Workforce Development Scholarship Fund. Full recordings posted on YouTube.
📍 dcdebates.com · YouTube @dcdebates671
Past Event · Recording Expected
Tue · Apr 21, 2026 · 7:00 PM
Mayoral Candidate Forum · Ward 3
Palisades CA · Foxhall CCA · Spring Valley CA
A Ward 3 mayoral forum co-hosted by three neighborhood associations. A recording is expected from the hosts and will be linked here once posted.
📍 GW Mt. Vernon Campus
Host Page →
Past Series · Recordings
Apr 7-9, 2026
Chevy Chase Candidate Forum Series
Chevy Chase Community Association · Shepherd Park Citizens Association
This confirmed April series covered three races across three nights. Full recordings are now available on YouTube.
📍 St. John's College High School
Past Event · See Endorsements
Sun · Mar 15, 2026 · 2:00-4:00 PM
DC Bike Walk and Bus PAC Candidate Forum and Social
Bike, Walk & Bus PAC
Community forum and social focused on transportation policy, with candidates across Mayor, Delegate, and Council races. No recording available; endorsement results are published on the PAC site.
📍 Shaw (Watha T. Daniel) Neighborhood Library
View Endorsements →
Past Event · Recording Available
Sat · Mar 14, 2026 · 12:00-4:00 PM
Free DC Candidate Forum - Mayor & Delegate
Free DC Project
Free DC hosted a public mayor and Delegate forum with food, childcare, and Spanish/ASL interpretation. Full video recording now on YouTube.
📍 Matthews Memorial Baptist Church, 2616 Martin Luther King Jr Ave SE
Past Event
Sun · Mar 1, 2026 · 2:00 PM + 3:00 PM
DC Transportation Candidate Forum
GGWash · WABA · Coalition for Smarter Growth
This confirmed transportation forum featured a 2:00 PM mayoral panel, a 3:00 PM at-large panel, and a social afterward. Follow-up coverage and related 2026 election content is posted at GGWash.
📍 Josephine Butler Parks Center / Franklin Hall
GGWash 2026 Coverage →
June 16, 2026 · DC Democratic Primary

How to Vote in DC.

Stay informed, make a plan, vote in the 2026 DC Primary. Voter registration deadline: May 18, 2026.

Made by Your Neighbors
Portrait of Monte Monash Portrait of Tricia Duncan

Two Gals, One Guide.

Ward 3 VOTE! is the work of longtime neighbors Monte Monash and Tricia Duncan — once political opponents, now friends with one shared goal, to provide a resource to help inform Ward 3 voters. They built this site to make civic participation easier for every one of us.

Monte Monash @monashward3 · Tricia Duncan @tri_dunc · est. 2026
Submit

Be a good neighbor.
Share.

Hosting a candidate forum, town hall, or community conversation? Or spot something on this page that's inaccurate or out of date? Send it over!

What are you submitting?

Opens your email app with the submission pre-filled. Hit Send and we'll see it at randallcrandon@gmail.com.

Stay Connected

Get Event Alerts.

Sign up to receive Ward 3 VOTE! No spam, no endorsements — just timely alerts for Ward 3 voters.