Opportunity DC Endorses Mike Austin for Ward 8 Council

Mike Austin - Ward 8 Council Candidate

WASHINGTON D.C. – Opportunity DC is endorsing Mike Austin to represent Ward 8 on the DC Council. After reviewing the field for July’s special election, including questionnaires, public positions, and interviews, Opportunity DC has determined that Austin is the candidate most aligned with the organization’s priorities for promoting a safer, more affordable, and more prosperous District of Columbia.

A fourth-generation Washingtonian, Austin has a deep connection to the community he seeks to represent in the Wilson Building; he grew up in Ward 8's Bellevue neighborhood and now lives in Congress Heights. He has a track record of service in the ward, previously serving as a three-term ANC commissioner. As ANC 8C chair, Austin supported development of the St. Elizabeths campus, provided grants to Ward 8 nonprofits focused on mental health and wellness, and negotiated the largest community benefits agreement in Ward history.

“Mike Austin represents a new path for Ward 8 that will catalyze the responsible development and amenities needed to create new pathways for the ward’s residents,” said Opportunity DC Executive Director Malcom Fox. “Mike’s platform and record align strongly with Opportunity DC’s mission to foster a strong economy, eliminate bureaucratic barriers for small businesses, build safe and affordable communities, and ensure quality education.”

Austin’s professional background includes significant experience within District government and vital Ward 8 institutions, along with community-serving business experience. As legislative director to former Ward 8 Councilmember LaRuby May, Austin drafted legislation aimed at preventing resident displacement, improving academic outcomes for students, increasing access to quality healthcare, and pushing criminal justice reform. He also served as legislative director to the Deputy Mayor for Greater Economic Opportunity and, in the private sector, as an attorney and vice president at United Medical Center (UMC), Ward 8’s primary hospital. Austin helped stabilize the hospital’s operations while increasing Ward 8’s participation in business and hiring.

Mike Austin has the right business and government experience, a results-oriented legislative approach, and a clear vision for an equitably prosperous DC that sets him apart as the leader most capable of charting a new direction for Ward 8 and ensuring it receives its fair share of investment.

Opportunity DC endorsed Ward 2 Councilmember Brooke Pinto and Ward 7 Councilmember Wendell Felder in 2024, and At-Large Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie in 2022. The organization’s engagement with District voters proved critical in helping elect these pragmatic leaders who are moving Washington, D.C., forward - for everyone.

You can view candidate answers to Opportunity DC’s 2025 questionnaire at:

Opportunity-dc.org/ward8-2025-voter-guide