Opportunity DC Announces Endorsements in DC Council Races

Endorsed Candidates Share Commitment to Creating Economic Opportunity, Addressing Affordability Crisis, and Making DC Safe

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Opportunity DC announced its official slate of endorsements for the 2026 DC Council races, backing Phil Mendelson for Chairman of the Council and co-endorsing Greg Jackson and Lisa Raymond in the At-Large Council Democratic primary election. The group also endorsed Councilmember Zachary Parker for re-election in the Ward 5 Democratic primary and Doni Crawford in the special election to fill the vacancy left by former Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie, who stepped down to run for mayor. 

These leaders are focused on expanding economic opportunity, lowering costs for residents and employers, making DC safer, and delivering practical solutions to the District’s most pressing challenges. Together, they offer the kind of pragmatic leadership needed to keep DC competitive, affordable, and safe. 

“Residents want Councilmembers who will prioritize achievable policies that lower the cost of living, build safer communities, create economic opportunities, and make government easier to navigate,” said Malcom Fox, Executive Director of Opportunity DC. “We’re proud to support leaders who share these priorities and have real solutions to make DC a place that is safe, affordable, and prosperous for every Washingtonian.”

Opportunity DC has not made an endorsement in the Ward 1 or 6 races at this time and will not be making an endorsement in the Ward 3 race.  

Following a rigorous endorsement process that included in-depth candidate questionnaires and interviews, Opportunity DC’s board selected candidates whose vision and experience reflect a results-driven approach to leadership. You can view candidate answers to Opportunity DC’s 2026 questionnaire by visiting https://www.opportunity-dc.org/2026-voter-guide. 

DC Council Chair: Chairman Phil Mendelson  

Chairman Phil Mendelson has dedicated nearly three decades to public service on the DC Council, serving as Chair since 2012. Throughout his tenure, he has advanced legislation that delivered real results—from passing sweeping reforms to address abandoned and blighted properties, strengthening rental assistance programs to ensure more sustainable support for residents in need, and enacting stricter gun control laws. Mendelson is a proven leader, and his work on the Council will continue to strengthen the District.  

Democrat At-Large: Greg Jackson and Lisa Raymond 

Greg Jackson 

Greg Jackson is a DC advocate, organizer, and tireless champion for public safety. He previously served as deputy director of the first-ever White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, where he helped oversee billions of dollars in funding for crime prevention and passed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act—the most significant federal gun safety law in 30 years. He also founded Community Justice, an organization dedicated to reducing gun violence through community empowerment, racial equity, and community-based intervention. His platform focuses on making DC safer through evidence-based strategies that prevent crime before it happens, expanding affordable housing, and supporting small businesses while creating workforce programs that actually deliver.

Lisa Raymond 

Lisa Raymond has served on the DC Board of Education, as a senior advisor to the DC Council, and as chief of staff to Attorney General Karl Racine. She founded one of the District’s first charter schools and has championed increased funding for career development and technical education for DC students. Raymond has promised to focus on advancing practical, enforceable laws to improve public safety by targeting serious violence and expanding youth programs and job opportunities. She will also work to reduce red tape for entrepreneurs by streamlining licensing and permitting and lowering fees that disproportionately affect small businesses.

Ward 5: Councilmember Zachary Parker 

Councilmember Zachary Parker is a dedicated public servant and educator who has served Ward 5 since 2018. Since his election to the DC Council in 2022, he has introduced legislation to expand housing affordability through ERAP reforms, supported small businesses by reducing commercial rent and property tax costs, and improved public education. He led the effort to implement the District’s first-ever Child Tax Credit, delivering refundable tax relief to low and middle-income families. Parker also spearheaded the creation of a Ward 5 small business center and consistently advocates for boosting the District’s small business community and economy. Parker’s agenda includes a focus on strengthening public schools and expanding youth opportunities, developing our commercial corridors, and working with developers to increase housing supply. 

Independent At-Large: Councilmember Doni Crawford 

Councilmember Doni Crawford brings a proven track record of expanding economic opportunity in the District. As former committee director of the Council’s Committee on Business and Economic Development, she led budget oversight and advanced legislation to strengthen small businesses and empower entrepreneurs. On the Council, Crawford will work to make DC safe and affordable by reducing red tape for small businesses and expanding pathways to home ownership. 

Opportunity DC encourages District residents to learn more about the candidates and participate in the upcoming primary election. You can view candidate answers to Opportunity DC’s 2026 questionnaire by visiting https://www.opportunity-dc.org/2026-voter-guide.