Opportunity DC Endorses Kenyan McDuffie for Mayor

McDuffie’s effective leadership and track record on economic opportunity and affordability for District residents makes him the clear choice for DC’s next mayor

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Opportunity DC announced its endorsement of Kenyan McDuffie for mayor of the District of Columbia, citing his proven leadership and commitment to delivering economic opportunity and affordability for DC residents. After offering all the candidates an opportunity to respond to its written questionnaire about their policy platforms, Opportunity DC’s board determined that McDuffie offers voters the best combination of experience and vision to reduce the cost of living, make DC safer, and create a brighter future for residents in every ward.

“Instead of making empty promises, Councilmember McDuffie has a record of getting results,” said Malcom Fox, Executive Director of Opportunity DC. “He has clear and achievable plans to reduce the cost of living, expand economic opportunity, and keep residents safe. We are proud to support Kenyan because he is the leader with the experience the District needs right now.”  

McDuffie has proposed a series of policies aimed at making the District more affordable for working families, creating economic opportunity across every ward, and ensuring quality government services that work for all DC residents. His agenda includes launching a fully integrated digital business portal to make it easier to start and operate a business, modernizing government operations to eliminate red tape, and designing workforce pipelines tied to high-growth industries, including technology, healthcare, climate innovation, hospitality, and other skilled trades.

McDuffie’s record on the DC Council has focused on expanding economic opportunity, empowering entrepreneurs, and advancing practical solutions to some of the District’s most pressing challenges:

• Made DC more affordable: He introduced and passed legislation directing surplus budget funds to the Housing Production Trust Fund, helping deliver more than $1 billion in investments to build and preserve affordable housing across the District.

• Strengthened DC’s economy: To drive job creation and long-term revenue growth, he helped secure the return of the Washington Commanders to the District and advance the redevelopment of the RFK Stadium campus and Capital One Arena, championing community benefits agreements and local hiring commitments for DC residents.

• Authored landmark public safety reforms: Four years before the tragic murder of George Floyd, McDuffie authored the NEAR Act, pioneering a public-health approach to public safety that invests in violence prevention and community partnerships. He also authored the Body-Worn Camera Program Amendment Act, expanding transparency to police body camera footage.

• Supported small businesses during the pandemic recovery: He authored legislation creating DC’s $100 million Bridge Fund, providing targeted relief to hospitality, entertainment, and retail businesses and workers hit hardest by the pandemic. He also helped launch a $25 million microgrant program to provide rapid support to neighborhood small businesses.

• A champion for local entrepreneurs: A longtime advocate for DC’s small-business community, McDuffie strengthened requirements in public contracting to ensure DC tax dollars are spent with DC businesses and they have a seat at the table, and he secured funding to help local entrepreneurs purchase their storefronts to keep neighborhood businesses rooted in the District.

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.