Democratic · U.S. Senator ("shadow"), District of Columbia
General election Tuesday, Nov 3, 2026
← District of Columbia U.S. Senator ("shadow") race · All District of Columbia races
Incumbent US Senator, Former ANC Commissioner and ANC Commission Chairperson, Attorney and Business Owner. Education: BA Political Science, American University, JD LAW, AU Washington College of Law. As submitted by the candidate to VOTE411, the League of Women Voters guide.
Also running: Robert Simmons (R)
Topic headings are Vote Book’s; quoted words are each candidate’s own, with the source under each one. “As reported” items are a news outlet’s description, not an exact quote.
How will you use this job to protect our rights and keep Congress and the President out of our local government business?
I will continue work to protect our rights and keep Congress and the President out of our local government business.
In the past two years, what two important things have you done to help make DC a state?
As the ranking member of the DC Statehood Congressional Delegation, I have led our efforts to fund and implement Statehood Initiatives in conjunction with the New Columbia Statehood Commission. I have traveled to and engaged with State and local Legislators in targeted States to promote support for DC Statehood in areas where we need it most. I have continued to recruit high profile celebrity ambassadors for our "51 Stars" DC Statehood PSA Initiative. I have also worked with International Organizations, like the UNPO and other NGO's to frame the denial of DC's Self-Determination as an International Human Rights issue. This is all in addition to my direct engagement with Members of Congress on Capitol Hill.
How will you show people across the country that DC does not have full and fair voting rights?
By actually going "across the country" and continuing to directly engage with leaders. I will continue to travel to targeted states and engage with Legislators, as well as other community leaders in specific communities to promote support for DC Statehood in areas where we need to raise awareness the most. I will continue to recruit additional high profile celebrity participants for the "51 Stars" DC Statehood PSA Initiative and use those PSA's "across the country" in the parts of the US we need to visit the most. I also think it is important to promote close relations with the other territories. I went to Guam met with their Territorial Legislature and Governor, and Puerto Rico where I met with and trained their "shadow" Delegation.
What will you do to improve the chances of DC statehood?
The US Constitution makes clear that only the US Congress can admit new states. As a result, the chances of DC Statehood are tied to the political composition of Congress. Each new Congress will require a different legislative strategy based on which members hold which seats. Tailoring that strategy to the specific composition requires experience and knowledge of the historical struggles which transformed DC Statehood from a fringe issue on the left of the political spectrum to a more widely accepted solution to the problem of DC's disenfranchisement.
D.C.
I love Washington DC, and I am grateful to be a part of such a vibrant community.
Paul Strauss is not a current member of Congress, so there is no congressional roll-call record to show. State legislative or local records are not yet compiled.
See something wrong or missing? Let us know.