Ward 1 Member of the Council · District of Columbia

Public safety

I tell them I am a Republican, that might jar them a bit, but I say, 'Hey, what's your biggest issue?' And they say public safety.

What do you see as the root causes of crime in DC? What policies would you propose to address the issues?

Crime in DC is driven by disinvestment, poverty, and lack of access to stable housing, jobs, and care. The safest communities are the ones with the most resources, so I will fight to equitably invest public resources across Ward 1 and the District - making sure every neighborhood has quality schools, dignified housing, good union jobs, and equal access to quality public services. To address root causes, I will expand violence interrupter programs in neighborhood hot spots, strengthen youth and workforce opportunities, and invest in housing stability. I will also work to fix our emergency response system, fund mental health and substance use first responders, and expand victim services to break cycles of violence and build lasting safety.

What are your ideas for improving outcomes for youth in the justice system?

Improving outcomes for justice-involved youth starts with prevention and support. I will fight to ensure families have all they need to thrive to set youth up for success. I will work to make sure every school has mental health counselors, nurses, and after school programs. I will push to end pretrial detention for youth, oppose curfews that criminalize young people, especially youth of color, and invest in community alternatives. For youth in the care of DYRS, I will ensure access to quality education, nutritious food, and wraparound services like mental health care and job training. We should treat young people with dignity and provide real pathways to stability and success, not send the message their lives are over before they begin.

1 more on profile →

How do you propose to increase housing for our most vulnerable residents?

Every person in DC deserves an affordable, safe, and dignified place to live. As a renter and tenant organizer, I have seen that for too many, that life is out of reach - rents are too high, older buildings need investment, and exclusionary zoning laws have kept DC from building the housing our population needs. To build more housing, I will fight to end exclusionary zoning to allow for multifamily buildings in every neighborhood, encourage higher density along transit corridors, and streamline our permitting process. To make sure rents are affordable, I will fight to expand rent control, invest in tools like the Housing Production Trust Fund, and work to ensure we adequately fund our voucher programs for targeted, deep affordability.

Should DC be admitted to the union as a state? Yes or No? *If yes, what immediate plans should be made, and actions taken, to begin preparing DC for statehood? *If no, what is your plan for achieving full voting rights for DC?

Yes, I firmly believe DC should be a state. This past year has reinforced how desperately we need statehood, and as Councilmember, fighting for Statehood and defending Home Rule will be top priorities. The District already has the infrastructure to self-govern, and statehood would expand our ability to build a stronger, more just, and more affordable DC. To win statehood and protect our autonomy, I will partner closely with our Congressional delegation to lobby Congress and ensure DC’s interests are represented, while partnering with networks I have developed with national organizations like Working Families Party to make Statehood a priority for local, state, and federal lawmakers, and their constituents, from across the country.

Is it important to use this job to protect our rights and keep Congress and the President out of our local government business?

Very unimportant Somewhat unimportant Neither important nor unimportant Somewhat important Very important

Background

I'm a tenant organizer, union member, queer woman of color, and the proud daughter of immigrants. I'm running for DC Council in Ward 1 to ensure that everyone can afford to live here, and live freely without fear. I believe that the government should make sure everyone has what they need, and will be a champion for working people, renters, families, immigrants, and our LGBTQ+ community on the Council.

What are your top 2 priorities and how will you accomplish them?

As Ward 1 Councilmember, my top two priorities will be making DC more affordable and defending our autonomy from a hostile federal government. To lower costs and make it easier for families to make ends meet in the District, I will work to expand rent control to cover more buildings, guarantee free universal childcare and protect the Pay Equity Fund, raise the minimum wage, and end the sub-minimum wage for tipped workers. To protect our communities from federal overreach, I will fight to close loopholes in the Sanctuary Values Act, establish an immigration public defender program, and end MPD collaboration with ICE so all residents can live safely and without fear.