The 2026 Council of the District of Columbia election will be held on November 3, 2026, to elect seven members to the Council of the District of Columbia. Primary elections will take place on June 16. This will be the first Council election to use ranked-choice voting following the implementation of Initiative 83.
Special elections
2025 Ward 8 special election
A special election was held in Ward 8 on July 15, 2025 to fill the term of councilor Trayon White, after he was expelled from the council in February 2025. White was re-elected with 27.7% of the vote.
2026 At-large special election
A special election will be held on June 16, 2026, to fill the term of councilor Kenyan McDuffie, after he resigned on January 5, 2026, to run for mayor.
Chairperson
Incumbent Democratic chairperson Phil Mendelson was re-elected to a third term with 83.4% of the vote in 2022. Mendelson is running for a fifth term in 2026.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Declared
- Phil Mendelson, incumbent chairperson (2012-present)
- Jack Evans, former councilmember from Ward 2 (1991-2020)
- Patricia Stamper, former ANC member for district 7C
Candidates
Potential
At-large district
Two at-large seats are up for election, the incumbents are Democrat Anita Bonds and independent Doni Crawford. Bonds is not running for re-election and Crawfordâ who was appointed in January 2026 to succeed Kenyan McDuffie, who is running for mayorâ has not announced her intentions. Only one at-large member can be a member of the majority party.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Declared
- Gregory Jackson, former deputy director of the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention and special assistant to President Joe Biden
- LeniquaâÂÂdominique Jenkins, former council staffer
- Candace Tiana Nelson, former chief of staff to councilmember Janeese Lewis George
- Oye Owolewa, shadow congressperson from the District of Columbia's at-large congressional district (2021âÂÂpresent)
- Lisa Raymond, former president of the District of Columbia State Board of Education
- Kevin Chavous, staffer to Bonds and son of former councilmember Kevin P. Chavous
- Nate Fleming, former shadow congressperson, staffer for Councilor Trayon White, and candidate for the At-large council seat in 2022 and the Ward 7 seat in 2024 Council of the District of Columbia election
- Dyana Forester, labor relations advisor to Maryland governor Wes Moore and former president of the Metro-Washington AFL-CIO
- Eric Goulet, member of the District of Columbia State Board of Education from Ward 3
Withdrawn
- Patricia Stamper, former ANC member for district 7C (running for council chair)
Declined
Endorsements
Fundraising
Independents
Candidates
Potential
Declined
Ward 1
Incumbent Democrat Brianne Nadeau was re-elected to a third term in 2022 with 79.9% of the vote. She is not running for re-election.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Declared
- Rashida Brown, ANC member for district 1E
- Miguel Trinidade Deramo, ANC member for district 1B
- Terry Lynch, community activist
- Aparna Raj, tenant organizer and former chair of the Metro DC Democratic Socialists of America
- Jackie Reyes-Yanes, former director of the Mayor's Office of Community Affairs
Potential
- Ed Lazere, former director of the DC Fiscal Policy Institute and candidate for council chair in 2018
Withdrew
- Brian Footer, ANC member for district 1E
Declined
Endorsements
Fundraising
Ward 3
Incumbent Democrat Matt Frumin was first elected in 2022 with 75.9% of the vote.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Declared
- Matt Frumin, incumbent councilmember
- Adam Prinzo, ANC member for district 3C
Declined
- Henry Cohen, Candidate for this seat in 2022
- Eric Goulet, State Board of Education member and candidate for this seat in 2022 (Running At-Large)
Ward 5
Incumbent Democrat Zachary Parker was first elected in 2022 with 93.9% of the vote.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Declared
- Bernita Carmichael, risk management professional
- Zachary Parker, incumbent councilmember
Potential
Endorsements
Republican primary
Candidates
Declared
- Jeffrey Kihien, businessman
Ward 6
Incumbent Democrat Charles Allen was re-elected unopposed in 2022, and a recall effort in 2024 failed to make the ballot.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Declared
- Charles Allen, incumbent councilmember
- Michael Murphy, attorney
- Gloria Nauden, business executive and marketing strategist
Endorsements
Republican primary
Candidates
Declared
Fundraising
References