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Kenyan McDuffie
DC Mayor 2026
Opportunity DC's Questionnaire
Opportunity DC advocates for priorities that grow our local economy, make government work better and faster, and make DC a more affordable place to live. We partner with pragmatic leaders to pass
effective legislation and help elect champions capable of leading our city forward.
Our questionnaire project is dedicated to providing DC Voters with the information to make the best decision possible for the District. No answers have been edited for the candidates, except light formatting changes.
Biographical Information
Please share any accomplishments or experiences that reflect your commitment to
advancing Opportunity DC's policy priorities
Throughout my time on the DC Council, I have focused on economic growth, housing
production, accountable government, public safety, expanding opportunities for residents
across the city and building a business environment that allows our city to compete
regionally and nationally.
As Chair of the Committee on Business and Economic Development, I oversaw agencies
responsible for housing, workforce development, small business support, and economic
growth as well as the Office of the CFO. In that role, I pressed for measurable outcomes,
better coordination across agencies, and improved execution because policy only matters if
it delivers results.
I have supported reforms that modernize housing policy to keep the District competitive for
capital investment while protecting residents. I have worked to strengthen workforce
pathways tied to real employer demand, reduce regulatory friction for businesses, and
ensure public investments align with job creation and long-term growth.
Before serving on the Council, I worked as a civil rights attorney at the U.S. Department of
Justice, enforcing federal civil rights laws across the country. That experience instilled in me
the importance of accountable governance, fairness, and disciplined execution.
My record reflects a consistent belief that DC must grow its economy, produce housing at
scale, modernize government operations, and ensure public safety, all while maintaining
fiscal responsibility and transparency.
Please share any accomplishments or experiences that reflect your commitment to
advancing Opportunity DC's policy priorities
Throughout my time on the DC Council, I have focused on economic growth, housing
production, accountable government, public safety, expanding opportunities for residents
across the city and building a business environment that allows our city to compete
regionally and nationally.
As Chair of the Committee on Business and Economic Development, I oversaw agencies
responsible for housing, workforce development, small business support, and economic
growth as well as the Office of the CFO. In that role, I pressed for measurable outcomes,
better coordination across agencies, and improved execution because policy only matters if
it delivers results.
I have supported reforms that modernize housing policy to keep the District competitive for
capital investment while protecting residents. I have worked to strengthen workforce
pathways tied to real employer demand, reduce regulatory friction for businesses, and
ensure public investments align with job creation and long-term growth.
Before serving on the Council, I worked as a civil rights attorney at the U.S. Department of
Justice, enforcing federal civil rights laws across the country. That experience instilled in me
the importance of accountable governance, fairness, and disciplined execution.
My record reflects a consistent belief that DC must grow its economy, produce housing at
scale, modernize government operations, and ensure public safety, all while maintaining
fiscal responsibility and transparency.
All endorsements to date:
Former Mayor Sharon Pratt, Liz Oyer, Former W3 Councilmember Mary Cheh
Previous offices held:
At-Large Member, Council of the District of Columbia
Chairperson, Pro Tempore
Chair, Committee on Business and Economic Development
Chair, Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety
District Priorities
DC residents tell us their three most important issues are the cost of living, public safety, and jobs and the economy. Please list one legislative or regulatory solution you support to address each policy challenge.
1. Cost of Living:
The most effective way to lower the cost of living is to increase the supply of housing. To do this, we need to fix permitting delays, match zoning with transit routes, and cut out steps that slow down projects and make them more expensive. When there isn’t enough housing, prices go up. As Mayor, I will work to boost housing production efficiently and make sure agencies stick to their timelines and deliver results.
Housing is just one piece of the puzzle. Transportation and childcare are also major expenses for
working families. A reliable Metro and bus system that connects people to schools, jobs, and
neighborhoods is key to making our city livable and competitive.
Childcare in DC is some of the most expensive in the country, and for many families, it costs as
much as rent. As Mayor, I will work to make childcare more affordable, increase the supply of
facilities and caregivers and support the childcare workforce, and make sure public funding meets real family needs. Affordable childcare is more than a family issue; it is part of our workforce infrastructure. When parents have access to reliable, affordable care, they can fully take part in our economy.
To lower the cost of living, we need to address housing, transportation, and childcare together, and act quickly.
2. Public Safety
We must restore staffing stability at MPD and pair that with data-driven deployment and violence
prevention investment. Public safety is foundational to economic stability. I will focus on rebuilding officer retention, continuing to support the cadet program to increase DC residents entering the police force, strengthening oversight, and ensuring that prevention and intervention programs are aligned with measurable outcomes.
3. Jobs & Economy
We need to update DC’s rules and regulations. Small and growing businesses need clear timelines, easier licensing, and better coordination between agencies. For the economy to grow, we need clear plans and follow-through. As Mayor, I will cut red tape and help people trust that government works well.
DC is at a turning point where we must focus on diversifying our economic base, so that we can be resilient in the face of disruption. Critical will be establishing industry aligned career pathways to ensure District residents are ready for those jobs in tech, cyber, skilled trades, sports and hospitality to drive a thriving economy.
Accessible & Affordable Housing
DC’s average housing costs are 140% above the national average. DC laws, rules, and
regulations make building housing here more expensive, time-consuming, and bureaucratic compared to other jurisdictions—creating a scarcity of available housing that drives up rent and home prices. Do you agree that increasing the supply of available housing, including market-rate, will lower the cost of rent and homes for residents over time?
Agree
Building more housing is crucial. Eliminating unnecessary processes and regulations, as well
as ensuring large scale projects are able to move forward with predictability must happen to
address supply constraints When there aren’t enough homes, prices go up. We need to add
new units, including market-rate housing, while also preserving existing homes and making
sure some are deeply affordable. More supply is the key to keeping housing affordable over
time.
Zoning and land use policy can restrict where housing is built and the number of units for a specific project. Transit-oriented development—building housing near thoroughfares and public transit—helps local governments plan housing near key services and transportation hubs. Do you support or oppose requiring all areas of the District currently zoned for commercial development to be automatically zoned for high-density residential development?
Support
Building more housing is crucial, and development in transit rich locations helps support families, access to jobs, and our transportation system. Focused TOD development leverages existing infrastructure and centers development in the locations that offer the quality of life many residents look for. Maximizing these opportunities, in ways that are financially viable are an important part of the District’s growth strategy.
In 2025, DC lawmakers modernized the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (TOPA) to make DC a more attractive and viable place to build housing. Building enough housing to address DC’s supply shortage will require local government to revise legislative code and pass regulatory reforms so that DC can compete within our region and across the country for limited capital investment. What 1 – 3 legislative or regulatory proposals do you support to make DC a more attractive place to build both affordable and market-rate housing.
DC needs to compete with nearby areas for investment. When rules are clear and predictable, costs
go down and more housing gets built.
1–3 reforms to make DC more attractive for housing development:
1. Statutory permitting timelines with agency accountability. Developers and investors must
know how long approvals will take, predictability is crucial. .
2. Interagency review coordination reform. Sequential reviews create delay and cost. Reviews
should run concurrently whenever possible.
3. TOPA modernization that protects tenants while reducing unpredictability that deters capital.
Economic Innovation & Workforce Development
In July of 2024, DC lawmakers increased the paid family leave tax (a payroll tax on District employers) from .23% to .75% of total wages. The additional revenue went to offset $2 billion in new general fund expenditures rather than towards expanding paid family leave. The higher payroll tax makes it harder for local employers, especially schools, hospitals, and small businesses, to grow and hire District residents. Do you support or oppose eliminating the 2024 payroll tax increase on DC employers over the next four years?
Support
Raising the payroll tax made things harder for employers, especially when DC needs to attract businesses and workers. I support lowering the tax gradually while keeping the budget balanced. We should grow our tax base by boosting the economy, not by raising rates that make it harder to create jobs.
Currently, all DC small businesses are required to file an annual personal property tax form (FP-31), even if their property assets are below the threshold that would subject their business to the tax. FP-31 is a cumbersome form that forces entrepreneurs to spend hours on compliance for a tax that most businesses are not even subject to. Do you support or oppose B26-0229, The Personal Property Tax Form Simplification Act, which eliminates the requirement for businesses to file personal property tax form (FP-31) if they are below the proposed $325,000 property threshold?
Support
Entrepreneurs shouldn’t have to deal with paperwork for taxes they don’t owe. The District must be a place that supports entrepreneurs, not one that places unnecessary burdens on small businesses.
In DC, some workers must obtain occupational licenses from government-appointed boards and pay large fees to work in fields like interior or landscape designer, barber—including hair braiding, cosmetologist, and manicurist, among others. These barriers artificially limit employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for District residents. Do you support or oppose reducing the time and financial requirements necessary to obtain occupational licenses in the fields where licensure is unnecessary and presents no material risks to
consumers?
Support
Licensing rules should protect health and safety, not block people from new opportunities. If
requirements are outdated or unnecessary, they should be changed. Helping more people
start businesses gives everyone a better chance to get ahead.
Efficient & Effective Government
Since 2020, the District’s budget spending has dramatically outpaced new revenue growth. DC will have to spend more efficiently and grow the tax base, without raising tax rates, to sustainably fund core services moving forward. Do you see DC's dramatic budget growth as a challenge that needs to be addressed through increased efficiency while avoiding new taxes on residents and businesses?
Yes
The District’s budget should be performance based. All programs and services should be
periodically evaluated to ensure that tax dollars are being used efficiently and demonstrate
measurable outcomes before any new taxes or fees are proposed. The results of those
evaluations must be available to residents and business through clear public reporting
including transparent dashboards and easy-to-read performance reports.
What three strategies would you propose to reduce DC government spending or grow our tax base to ensure long term fiscal stability?
1. Performance-driven budgeting. Programs must demonstrate measurable outcomes.
2. Growing the tax base through supporting the expansion of existing DC businesses,
diversifying and attracting businesses in DC, supporting housing supply and job growth.
3. Modernizing procurement and contract oversight to reduce waste and improve delivery.
Over time, DC lawmakers have added more rules, regulations, and fees that increase costs for small businesses, which are often passed onto consumers, raising prices for everyone. Having more information about the unintended consequences from new legislation can help prevent higher costs for entrepreneurs and residents. Do you support or oppose requiring the Council to review economic impact assessments, generated by the Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO), for all new legislation and regulations that increase regulatory or financial costs for District employers?
Support
Lawmakers and the public should know how new laws will affect jobs, housing, and small
businesses before they are put in place. Decisions should be based on clear economic
analysis and not considered or advanced in isolation.
Are there any government rules or regulations that should be updated, streamlined, or eliminated to make government more efficient and lower administrative burdens on residents? Please list up to 3 rules/regulations & how you would change them:
Every unnecessary delay increases cost. Efficiency lowers cost. I’ll be focused on making
Government efficient.
1. Permitting timelines and review sequencing.
2. Business licensing renewals and duplicative filings.
3. Environmental and building review coordination.
More officers
To keep people safe, we need enough police officers. I will work to keep officers on the job, boost morale, and recruit new staff. We can have both accountability and enough officers at the same time.
Do you support legislation to authorize the Chief of Police to declare dedicated zones with earlier curfews for large groups of young people as needed?
Yes. Public safety policies like juvenile curfews should be accompanied with clear
communication to the public around the parameters and restrictions, in addition to a more
holistic approach to crime that includes afterschool programming, job opportunities and
workforce development.
Please provide 1 – 3 policies or strategies you support to make residents, workers, and businesses safer in DC.
Keeping people safe means enforcing laws, preventing crime, and following through on
plans. I would work with MPD leaders to make sure agencies work together to stop repeat
offenses.
1. Rebuild MPD staffing responsibly.
2. Expand violence interruption and youth employment pathways.
3. Improve coordination across agencies to prevent repeat offending.
Quality Education
In 2006, DC had one of the worst performing public school systems in the country. Only 12% of eighth graders were proficient in reading and 8% in math, only 43% of students graduated in five years, and the system was mired in mismanagement. Following the passage of the Public Education Reform Amendment Act (PERAA) of 2007 and enabled by PERAA’s governance reforms, DC tripled proficiency in reading and math and saw the highest rate of post-COVID test score improvement in the country. Do you support or oppose Mayoral control with Council oversight of the District’s public school system, as established by the Public Education Reform Amendment Act of 2007?
Support
As Mayor, I’ll bring experience and leadership to the team running Education for the District. Mayoral involvement and control can bring accountability and stability to our schools. Keeping our school system steady is important for long-term student success.
Approximately 48% of DC public school students attend charter schools, which are free, public, and open to all students from all wards. Do you support or oppose funding DC Public School (DCPS) and DC public charter school students at equal levels, weighted by student need, through the Uniform Per Student Funding Formula?
Support
Funding should go where students are and match what they need. Fairness and
accountability should go hand in hand.
Chronic truancy among DCPS students has increased dramatically in recent years. How do you propose we reduce truancy levels to ensure students receive a quality education?
Chronic absenteeism is one of the most urgent challenges facing our schools. Students cannot succeed if they are not consistently in class.
Addressing truancy begins with family supports. Housing instability, childcare burdens, transportation barriers, and unmet mental health needs all contribute to missed school days. We need coordinated intervention when students begin missing school, not after patterns are entrenched.
Attendance is the gateway to achievement, but students also need to feel that school is a place where they belong. That means welcoming environments, fair and consistent discipline practices,
and culturally responsive instruction. We must confront disparities in discipline that disproportionately remove students of color from classrooms and disrupt learning.
Transportation access, particularly east of the river, also plays a role. Reliable transit connects students to school and to enrichment opportunities that make school meaningful.
Finally, accountability matters. Schools, agencies, and families should have clear attendance benchmarks and transparent goals. The approach should be supportive, not punitive, but it must be
structured and measurable. Students deserve systems that respond quickly and effectively when attendance begins to slip.
(Optional) Notes Provided by Candidate
Kenyan McDuffie believes leadership is measured by delivering results, not rhetoric. From his early days as a mail carrier serving DC neighborhoods door-to-door to his work as a civil rights attorney in
President Obama’s Department of Justice to his service as a citywide lawmaker, he has approached every challenge with the same values: stand up for working people, fix broken systems, and demand
accountability from those in power.
As Mayor, he will focus on delivering what matters most to DC families: lowering the cost of living, expanding opportunity in every ward, and strengthening public safety with a government that answers to all DC.Every District resident deserves a fair shot at a good-paying career with benefits and a future. Economic mobility is dependent on connecting residents to jobs that lead to prosperity, not just a paycheck to make ends meet. As Mayor, Kenyan will deliver:
● Enhanced local hiring standards to ensure public investments benefit DC workers
● Alignment of UDC and adult workforce programs to placement outcomes with in-demand industries
● Clear, public metrics for every funded project by tracking hiring outcomes, wages, and retention
● Sector pipeline support in tech, climate, healthcare, hospitality, and trades
● A federal workforce transition pipeline into cyber and advanced technology industries