Polls are open at 75 locations across the District until 8 p.m.

While it is a primary election, the vast majority of D.C. voters are Democrats, meaning many of the candidates who win their party鈥檚 nomination are likely to go on to win in November.

One of the most closely watched contests is the open race for D.C.’s delegate to Congress. Several candidates are competing to replace longtime delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton, who is not seeking reelection.

Voters are also deciding the race for attorney general, where incumbent Brian Schwalb faces a primary challenger.

Multiple seats on the D.C. Council are also on the ballot, including competitive at-large races. There is also a special election to fill the at-large seat Kenyan McDuffie vacated to run for mayor.

Several ward races are also being decided, which could bring new members to the council.

The mayor鈥檚 race is also drawing attention, with seven candidates running to replace Muriel Bowser, who is not seeking another term.

This election is the first in D.C. to use ranked choice voting. Under that system, voters rank candidates in order of preference. If no candidate receives a majority, the counting process continues in rounds. The candidate with the fewest votes will be eliminated each round, and their votes redistributed to those remaining, until someone crosses the 50 + 1 percent threshold.

Winners are not expected to be finalized on election night: Initial returns will reflect early and first choice vote totals, while more complete results will come in the days after as additional ballots are counted. Final certified results are expected by mid-July.

After the polls close, candidates will be watching returns from events across the city, including mayoral candidates Janeese Lewis George at the Howard Theatre and Kenyan McDuffie at The Park at 14th. Among the delegate candidates, Brooke Pinto will be at Wild Days on the Eaton hotel’s rooftop, Robert White at The Point on 2nd Street and Kinney Zalesne at Barcelona Wine Bar. Mayoral candidate Gary Goodweather is planning a watch party at Bar Angie.

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County officials say your tap water is safe, in a stormwater pond and nearby streams near Great Seneca Highway and Key West Avenue in the Gaithersburg and Rockville area.

At the pond, across Great Seneca Highway near where Decoverly Drive crosses, crews are putting up the fencing to keep people and pets out.

The affected waterways run near Shady Grove Hospital along Great Seneca Highway and just past Muddy Branch Road.

PFAS are manmade chemicals often called 鈥渇orever chemicals鈥� because they do not break down and can build up over time in the environment and the body.

Jennifer Macedonia, director of the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection, said testing pointed to an area near a former county site, where firefighters trained for decades until 2015.

鈥淭he state’s testing detected high levels of PFAS in an area on and adjacent to the site of the county’s former public safety training facility,” Macedonia said.

Officials said the contamination may be tied to chemicals used in firefighting foam at that training facility.

The high readings came to light after WSSC Water requested more testing in the Muddy Branch area. WSSC Water PFAS Program Manager Laura O鈥橠onnell said despite the findings in the pond and stream, the drinking water in the area remains safe.

鈥淚 want our WSSC Water customers in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties to know that the water we provide is safe. This is not a public water supply issue,鈥� O鈥橠onnell said.

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich said the county is working to respond and protect the public.

鈥淭he county is taking this issue and the concern very seriously, and it’s taking steps to inform the public and protect public health and the environment,鈥� Elrich said.

The county filed a lawsuit in 2023 against companies that made PFAS, accusing them of hiding risks while profiting from the chemicals.

Elrich also noted the chemicals are widespread.

鈥淭his stuff is ubiquitous and it’s not always easy to figure out where it came from, but it’s there now,鈥� Elrich said.

Health officer Dr. Kisha Davis said the greatest risk comes from repeated exposure over time.

鈥淭he health risks are tied to chronic exposure, meaning drinking contaminated water or eating contaminated fish every day for years, which allows the chemical to gradually accumulate in the body’s tissues,鈥� Davis said.

She added that brief contact is less concerning.

鈥淚 don’t think that folks need to worry too much about if they were playing in that stream over the weekend,鈥� Davis said.

For nearby homeowners with private wells, the county said it鈥檚 reaching out directly and offering free testing to make sure their drinking water is not affected.

Out of caution, the county is advising residents to stay out of the affected waterways, keep pets away and avoid eating fish caught there.

Officials said additional testing is underway to determine how far the contamination may extend.

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It鈥檚 a rare moment of turnover that could reshape how the city is led and how its leaders work together. It鈥檚 also the first time the city is using ranked choice voting in a major election, adding another layer of uncertainty to how the results could unfold.

Matt Dallek, a professor at George Washington University’s Graduate School of Political Management, told 海角社区app that the stakes are unusually high.

“This is one of the biggest elections that I think the city has certainly had in a decade,” Dallek said.

With longtime leaders stepping aside and so many open seats, Dallek said the outcome could send the city in a new direction.

“You’re looking really at an entire leadership switch for the city and it’s happening in a very fraught moment when the city is feeling more unaffordable to more district residents and, of course, the Trump administration has been cracking down, infringing on home rule in a way that maybe no other presidential administration, no other Republican Congress has since Home Rule was established,鈥� he said.

The election comes at a time when many D.C. residents are concerned about affordability and the overall direction of the city.

Dallek said the election is also highlighting broader political divisions, not just locally but within the Democratic Party nationwide.

“I think that ideologically and politically the challenge from the left is notable and certainly reflects these larger fissures in the National Democratic Party about the direction of the country and the direction of major American cities,鈥� he said.

He said that shift is especially clear in the mayor鈥檚 race, where voters are choosing between different approaches to governing with former D.C. Council member Kenyan McDuffie and current D.C. Council member Janeese Lewis George.

“McDuffie is seen rightly so as an extension of Mayor Bowser’s leadership. So, in some ways, this is a referendum on Mayor Bowser having a fourth term, even though, obviously, McDuffie is a different person, whereas (Lewis) George represents a more significant, more radical change from Bowser,” Dallek said.

With multiple council seats open, the results could also influence priorities on issues like business development, labor and taxes.

Dallek said the results will go beyond any one race and could influence how D.C. operates in the years ahead, particularly when it comes to its relationship with the federal government.

“The composition of the city council, the leadership of the city and the mayor’s office and the delegate to the District could shape the fight over home rule,” he said.

How a new mayor works with Council Chairman Phil Mendelson, who faces a Republican challenger in the general election and is widely expected to remain a key figure in city government, could also, according to Dallek, be key to how smoothly the city moves forward.

He said with new leadership likely across city government, the outcome could also reshape how officials work together and respond to challenges facing the District.

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At Rockville Soccer, supervisor Johan Romero says the global tournament is driving a steady stream of customers into the store, many preparing for watch parties at home or heading to sports bars to catch the matches.

鈥淵eah, definitely big, big week with the World Cup coming in,鈥� he said.

Romero says the excitement is quickly translating into sales, with fans eager to support their favorite teams and players.

鈥淲ith the introduction with the World Cup, we’re looking at double amounts of sales and foot traffic too,” Romero said.

He says interest spans across several countries’s teams, reflecting both the diversity of the region and the global appeal of the sport.

鈥淵ou know, you definitely got the big teams, you know, you got like France, Portugal, Argentina, the U.S.,鈥� he said.

While jerseys tied to top teams are among the biggest draws, Romero says customers are also looking for cleats and gear similar to what players are wearing on the field.

鈥淭hey (customers) want to experience what their idols might be wearing out on the stage,鈥� he said.

A similar spike in activity is happening at PJ鈥檚 Soccer Lacrosse in Bethesda, where owner Phil Gallipo Jr. says the World Cup is one of the busiest stretches for the business.

鈥淭his is Christmas for sure,” Gallipo said.

Gallipo said fans are coming into both the Bethesda and Tyson鈥檚, Virginia, locations throughout the day to get ready for games, often picking up jerseys at the last minute.

鈥淭he atmosphere is great. We got people coming in all day long, picking up jerseys,鈥� he said.

That demand is boosting sales too, especially compared to a typical month.

鈥淥h, for this month, probably maybe 30 to 40% retail up compared to last year,鈥� he said.

Beyond jerseys, Gallipo says another popular item this year is Panini FIFA World Cup 2026 trading stickers, which have become especially popular with kids and collectors. Buyers purchase packs without knowing what they will get, then trade with others to complete collections.

Some of those stickers he said can carry serious value, especially those that feature player pictures with a black background.

鈥淎nd so, the black one, there’s only one, and I know the (Lionel) Messi one, if you get a Messi black background, it’s worth about $100,000,鈥� Gallipo said.

Both stores say the World Cup is not only boosting sales, but also bringing people together with customers sharing their excitement and passion for the game as they gear up for matches.

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When former D.C. Council member Kenyan McDuffie stepped down from his independent at-large council seat to seek the Democratic nomination for mayor, he set the wheels in motion for a special election.

The contest for the seat McDuffie vacated includes At-Large Council member Doni Crawford, the woman selected by the council to hold the seat until the special election; Elissa Silverman, a former at-large council member; and Jacque Patterson, president of the D.C. State Board of Education.

The three independent candidates are now making their case to voters about how they would handle the job, with the winner serving through January. In November, voters will decide who earns the next four-year term.

All of it is unfolding alongside a crowded primary ballot, where Democrats are deciding a second at-large seat, along with several ward contests.

Six candidates are running for the Ward 1 seat after Brianne Nadeau announced she is not seeking reelection. In Ward 5, incumbent Zachary Parker faces two Democratic challengers, and in Ward 6, incumbent Charles Allen is also being challenged by two Democrats. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson and Ward 3鈥檚 Matthew Frumin are both unopposed in the Democratic primary.

As that plays out, the spotlight is on the three candidates competing for the at-large seat.

海角社区app sent a questionnaire to candidates in all of the contested races, asking about the top issues facing D.C.听Meet the candidates and read their responses here.

Candidates tout experience in bid for citywide seat

Silverman is stressing a record of results from her time on the council, from passing paid family leave to holding agencies accountable.

鈥淚 offer voters is both a track record of getting really hard things done that benefits their lives, like D.C. paid family leave,鈥� Silverman said.

She said that experience positions her to handle big policy and budget challenges.

Crawford highlights her background before taking office, including years as a council staffer and work at a think tank, saying she understands how the system works from the inside.

鈥淚’m new to the job, but I’m not new to the work,鈥� she said.

Crawford said that experience has given her a deep knowledge of the legislative and budget process and shaped her focus on working with communities across all eight wards.

Patterson points to decades of experience in the community and in public service.

鈥淚鈥檝e lived here 30 years and my whole entire time here has been about serving the District of Columbia,鈥� Patterson said.

He said his work in education and neighborhood engagement gives him a strong foundation to represent residents citywide.

Public safety and youth engagement emerge as key issues

Concerns about rowdy “teen takeovers” and the debate over youth curfews are shaping the conversation in the race.

Candidates agree public safety requires more than law enforcement, but differ in their overall plans.

鈥淚 didn’t want to just tell youth where they cannot be but I wanted to be a part of the solution and finding places for them to engage with each other,鈥� Crawford said.

She also believes D.C. police are leaning too heavily on overtime because of staffing shortages, saying the overtime hours worked in fiscal 2025 were the equivalent of roughly 870 additional officers.

And long-term, Crawford said improving safety means addressing issues like housing and jobs, and tracking police response times and community trust in addition to crime numbers.

Silverman wants to focus more on the people most likely to commit violence, and ensuring agencies are working together.

鈥淲e need to better identify and focus on the people who are known troublemakers, those likely to pull a trigger on a gun,鈥� Silverman said.

She said that requires coordination between police, housing and social services, along with consequences when crimes are committed.

Silverman also points to staffing shortages and the need to follow best practices.

鈥淲e need to staff our force, especially in certain areas such as detectives,鈥� she said.

Patterson said safety concerns reflect years of underinvestment.

鈥淭his didn’t just happen overnight, this has been a disinvestment in youth programming and mental health for a long period of time,鈥� Patterson said.

He supports targeted enforcement like curfews, but said reinvestment in youth programs and mental health is key.

Candidates outline approach to representing entire city

Unlike ward-based council members, at-large seats represent all residents across D.C., a role each candidate said requires strong community engagement.

Silverman said staying visible and listening is essential.

鈥淵ou have to get out and meet people where they are. I think, often government expects voters and residents and businesses to come to them,鈥� Silverman said.

Crawford said she鈥檚 focused on building relationships across all eight wards.

鈥淚 made sure to call all the ANC wards across the district, there’s over 50 of them, and I wanted to make sure that they knew that I was here and I was accessible to them,鈥� Crawford said.

Patterson said his focus, if elected, will be on engaging directly with neighborhood leaders and residents.

鈥淚’m going to be a very active at-large member, going to ANC meetings, going to civic association meetings, those places where communities meet to talk about the issues that involve their particular community,鈥� Patterson said.

Candidates differ on federal role and protecting home rule

Candidates are also laying out different approaches to dealing with federal oversight and protecting the District鈥檚 autonomy.

Silverman said D.C. leaders need to improve on how they respond to federal involvement in city affairs and present a united front.

鈥淲e need to be much more coordinated and strategic,鈥� Silverman said.

She said that includes city leaders aligning their actions across agencies and elected offices before taking steps that could lead to federal pushback.

Crawford said she supports using legislation to reflect the District鈥檚 priorities within the limits of home rule.

鈥淚 think there are things we can do through legislation, both emergency and permanent, to stand up for our values, that is within our limited home rule, and I want to continue to do that,鈥� Crawford said.

Patterson said lawmakers should carefully consider how legislation will play out at the federal level.

鈥淲e have to be very pragmatic about our policies, our legislation that we’re putting forward,” Patterson said. “I think some of the times that we do some performative legislation because certain groups would like us to put step forward, and we really don’t coordinate between the offices that we need to, because we all need to be singing the same tune.”

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鈥淭his is a meaningful step forward,鈥� said Dr. Adam Friedman, chair of Dermatology at George Washington University’s School of Medicine and Health Sciences.

He said dermatologists have been aware of bemotrizinol and how it has brought successful results overseas. Friedman is hopeful that it will bring more modern sunscreen filters to the United States.

鈥淲hat’s new is finally giving Americans access to a more modern sunscreen filter that provides strong protection against both ultraviolet B and A rays,鈥� he said.

Friedman said the chemical is more photostable, meaning once you put it on, it isn鈥檛 broken down as quickly as older sunscreen ingredients. That means its protection holds up longer in the sun.

He said it can also help stabilize other sunscreen ingredients, allowing them to last longer and maintain their protection in sunlight.

Friedman added that not only will the ingredient eventually bring about new sunscreens, he believes many manufacturers of existing sunscreens have been waiting for this approval and could use the ingredients in their existing products to improve them.

鈥淲hat I think we’re going to see, and I know we’re going to see, are our oldie but goodies with this as the cherry on top,鈥� he said.

He said being able to use this ingredient will help people better prevent the health conditions UVA rays can cause.

鈥淔rom a public health perspective, this is very important, because ultraviolet A radiation is a major driver of skin aging, pigmentary disorders and contributes to skin cancer risk,鈥� he said.

Friedman said another advantage of the ingredient is since it has been used overseas for a long time, doctors have a pretty good idea about what to expect when people in the U.S. begin using sunscreens with it.

鈥淲e have seen no downsides to date, to the point being that it’s been available overseas for so long. We have a lot of safety data showing that it both works and it’s safe to use ongoing,鈥� he said.

He said one of the biggest issues with sunscreen overall is that people do not use it consistently, and this ingredient could help improve that.

鈥淥ne of the biggest issues is adherence, in that people don’t like applying sunscreen, but bemotrizinol is actually really easy to work with, creating better feeling sunscreens that translate into better adherence,鈥� he said.

Friedman said from a broader perspective, better sun protection is critical, pointing to how common skin cancer is in the U.S. and the role UV exposure plays in driving it.

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As voters head to the polls in D.C., one major decision before them is who should get the Democratic nod in the race to replace the District’s longtime congressional delegate, Eleanor Holmes Norton.

海角社区app has heard from the candidates on the issues.

Experience and priorities

D.C. Council member Robert White touts his time on the council and as a member of Norton鈥檚 staff in preparing him for the role.

As for his priorities: 鈥淥ne and two are protecting D.C.’s home rule and moving us toward statehood, the other stabilizing our economy to add more jobs and more revenue and housing to our city,鈥� he said.

White said he would push those goals by building political pressure on lawmakers and strengthening relationships in Congress.

海角社区app sent a questionnaire to all the candidates in each contested race, asking them to introduce themselves to voters.听Read their responses here.

Council member Brooke Pinto said her focus is protecting the District.

鈥淚鈥檓 running to be our next congressional delegate to make sure that we can protect our local government and our democracy,鈥� she said.

Pinto said she would rely on proactive outreach to lawmakers and coalition building, before legislation threatens the city.

Candidate Kinney Zalesne, a former Democratic National Committee finance chair and co-chair of Women for Kamala Harris, said she would focus on leveraging national relationships and building alliances across Capitol Hill to advance D.C.鈥檚 priorities.

鈥淭he D.C. delegate job is two things, and conveniently for us, they rhyme. It’s autonomy and economy,鈥� Zalesne said.

Like White, candidate Trent Holbrook pointed to his experience working for Norton in Congress.

鈥淢y top priorities will be D.C. statehood and D.C. home rule, defending federal employees and affordability,鈥� he said.

The fifth D.C. delegate candidate, Greg Jaczko, did not respond to emails from 海角社区app about contributing to our voter guide.

Statehood

All four of the candidates who responded said they support D.C. statehood, but they differ in how to get there.

鈥淚 am 100% for statehood,” Zalesne said. “It’s outrageous that 700,000 of us don’t have the same rights as every other American.”

She said the path forward starts with building support both inside D.C. and across the country, then eventually working to bring in Republicans.

White also believes D.C. needs to make its case for statehood to Democrats across the country.

鈥淭wo Democratic senators from D.C. will do more to shift the balance of power in Congress than any of these redistricting battles,鈥� White said.

Pinto said she鈥檚 optimistic and wants to elevate the issue nationwide.

鈥淚t will give us two Democratic senators, and that’s exactly why it should be and must be the number one piece of the Democratic Party platform nationwide,鈥� Pinto said.

Holbrook emphasized his role in advancing the effort in Congress while working for the outgoing delegate.

鈥淚 helped guide the D.C. statehood bill to passing in the House twice, garnering a record number of cosponsors and 100-plus national organizations endorsing the bill along the way,” he said. “I fought the record number of anti-home rule attacks we faced during this time.鈥�

Holbrook said he would continue building national support and working with lawmakers to advance the bill.

Economy and jobs

The economy and jobs are also a key issue in the race, especially in the wake of federal workforce cuts.

Pinto said the focus should be on growing new industries.

鈥淲e have to diversify our economy and invest and bring in new industries that are in high growth sectors like health and tech and defense manufacturing,鈥� she said.

White said the approach must balance protecting federal jobs with expanding the private sector.

鈥淲e want to create federal tax incentives to get private sector jobs downtown D.C. and other parts of D.C., so that we can get people back to work,鈥� White said.

Zalesne said the city needs to rethink its reliance on federal employment.

鈥淲e learned the hard way this year, we’re a company town, and the company hates us, and we can’t just sit by and hope we can ride it out, or hope it’s going to get better naturally,” she said. “We have to rebuild our economy to be less dependent on the federal government.”

Holbrook focused on protecting federal workers as part of the economy.

鈥淚 was a federal employee, and I fought their illegal firings to have them hired back, with back pay, to give them pay raises, and to improve retirement benefits,鈥� Holbrook said.

He said he would push to restore jobs and keep agencies in the District.

Public safety and federal role

Public safety remains another major concern, along with questions about the federal government鈥檚 role in the city.

Pinto said local control and resources are critical.

鈥淏ecause of my expertise in our public safety ecosystem that is so unique in the District, it is especially important to make sure that I am leveraging resources that we can secure from the federal government,鈥� she said.

White said he would work with federal leaders when it helps, but push back when it doesn鈥檛.

鈥淚’m going to work with federal administrations when they want to do what’s in the best interest of D.C., and when they want to come down and over incarcerate, so they can take over our city. I’m going to work to protect our city,鈥� White said.

Zalesne said the federal government should stay out of local law enforcement decisions.

鈥淭he delegate needs to be on TV 24/7, needs to be on social media, needs to be pounding the table with all those allies and partners to have the nation know what is happening to us,鈥� she said.

Holbrook focused more broadly on protecting D.C.鈥檚 autonomy and decision-making authority.

鈥淚 fought every anti-home rule attack in Congress and from the Trump administration, and, on nearly all of them, we won,鈥� Holbrook said.

He said his experience defending local authority would guide how he handles federal involvement.

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Ireland鈥檚 Four Courts in Arlington is gearing up for a World Cup surge with preparations underway to handle packed crowds and an around-the-clock soccer atmosphere.

Bars across the D.C. region are expecting a busy stretch as fans gather to support their home countries, but at Four Courts, the energy is already building after national recognition. The pub was recently voted America鈥檚 number one soccer bar by the Men in Blazers podcast.

Managing partner David Cahill said the honor has already translated into more attention and business ahead of the tournament.

“We鈥檙e super excited. We won the title for 2026. We won it about a month ago, and since then we’ve seen a big uptake in the business. We were already excited for the World Cup, but now we’re delirious,” he said.

Once the matches begin, Cahill said the bar expects the kind of crowds usually reserved for weekends.

“Once the World Cup starts, it’s going to be like a Saturday every single day,” he said.

To prepare, staff are making physical changes inside and outside the bar to accommodate more fans.

“We’ll remove some furniture so we can get more people in here, create a better atmosphere. And then we’re also going to be showing the games out to back at the restaurant,” he said.

The bar is also expecting to serve large quantities of food and drink throughout the tournament. It’s been stocking up on chicken wings and kegs of Guinness.

The buildup to the World Cup follows the Four Courts efforts to recover and rebuild after a 2022 crash that injured several people, forced it to close for extensive repairs and shook the pub’s tight-knit community.

Cahill said it took time, especially with regular customers among those affected, but support from the neighborhood helped the business regain momentum.

As part of the World Cup experience, flags representing all competing countries hang throughout the bar, though that display will slowly change as teams are eliminated, and a pair of big scissors comes out.

“So, as your country gets eliminated, unfortunately, so does your flag,” he said.

Cahill said that element adds a layer of drama to the viewing experience, but the bigger takeaway from the World Cup atmosphere is the sense of connection it creates.

“It just brings people together,” he said.

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Among the biggest changes: some additional funding for early childhood educators, legal services and paid family leave, all of which saw significant reductions in the budget the mayor submitted to the council in April.

When D.C. Council Chair Phil Mendelson revealed his version of the budget Monday, he said the council focused on support for services residents depend on. That included restoring funding to the Early Childhood Educator Pay Equity Fund.

“The pay equity fund is about improving the quality of childcare, recognizing that childcare workers are actually early childhood educators,” he said.

The proposal also increases funding for childcare subsidies, with the goal of reducing or eliminating waitlists for families in the coming fiscal years.

At the same time, it restores funding for legal aid programs and victim services, which provide support for low-income residents and those navigating the court system.

“Access to Justice (Initiative) has gotten a lot of attention. The budget will restore for FY27 the same level of funding as in FY26,” Mendelson said.

The council鈥檚 proposal also includes a $15 million increase for public charter schools, as well as funding for hundreds of housing vouchers aimed at keeping current assistance in place and helping families transition out of temporary housing.

The budget also sets aside $300 million for upgrades at the Stadium-Armory Metro station, a key infrastructure project tied to the planned redevelopment of the RFK Stadium site with a new Commanders stadium.

Much of the money for these funding restorations comes from revenue tied to the District’s efforts to opt out of President Donald Trump’s tax cuts, known as “decoupling.” Another source not included in the mayor鈥檚 original budget estimates was roughly $150 million from D.C.’s reserve funds.

Even with those additions, not all programs cut in the mayor鈥檚 proposal are being fully restored.

A second vote on the budget is set for June 23. Final approval could come by the end of June or in July.

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“This is the biggest overhaul of federal student loan lending in decades,” said Barry Glassman, president of Glassman Wealth Services, a financial management firm with offices in Vienna, Virginia, and North Bethesda, Maryland.

Starting July 1, new federal rules cap how much students and parents can borrow, while also streamlining repayment into two main options. New borrowers will be required to choose between them.

鈥淭he big change is the federal government’s moving from ‘borrow what the school costs’ to ‘borrow what the government allows,’鈥� Glassman said.

Under the new limits, parent borrowers are capped at $20,000 per year and $65,000 in total. Graduate school loans are capped at $20,500 a year and $100,000 total, while professional programs like law and medical school can go up to $50,000 a year and $200,000 total, which could leave a gap between tuition costs and available loans.

At the same time, repayment options like Saving on a Valuable Education, also known as SAVE, are going away.

“The SAVE plan, which really had many different payment plans, are all being wrapped into one new repayment plan,鈥� he said.

That new option, known as the Repayment Assistance Plan, ties payments to income.

“The various payment schedules, such as save and pay and repay, and all of the income-driven repayment programs, those are disappearing for this new thing called RAP, the Repayment Assistance Plan,鈥� he said.

Another new option is a Tiered Standard repayment plan, which, according to the Department of Education, will offer fixed monthly payments based on the borrower鈥檚 outstanding principal balance.

Glassman said after years of confusion during the pandemic, the changes at least bring more clarity.

“I didn’t say it’s better, but at least we now have clarity on what the new repayment rules and forgiveness rules might look like,鈥� he said.

He says there are also expanded Pell Grant options tied to short-term job training programs, known as Workforce Pell Grants, which could help students pursuing jobs in the trades or certifications.

He says the key is to know what you have now before the rules change.

“If you have been borrowing and you want to be subject to the old rules, you may not want to tap new programs and things, because you’ll automatically be put into the new program if you borrow new money,鈥� he said.

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After three terms, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser is exiting the Wilson Building, and her decision not to run for reelection opened the door to a crowded mayoral race.

There will be seven candidates on the ballot and all are outlining their approaches when it comes to dealing with the federal government, pushing for statehood and tackling some of the biggest issues facing the city.

Federal relations, law enforcement and statehood

How the next mayor works with the White House and Congress is a key issue, especially with ongoing fights over local control and the presence of federal law enforcement in the city.

Gary Goodweather said he鈥檚 open to working with federal partners, but only when it benefits residents.

鈥淲e have a lot of federal workers here that are mission-driven and care about our city, and I will work with them to be able to get more for our city,鈥� Goodweather said.

He said he would end cooperation between D.C. police and ICE, while working with federal partners when it benefits the city.

Goodweather said maintaining a balanced budget is key to avoiding federal oversight and preserving autonomy, while also trying to unify residents around a push for statehood.

海角社区app sent a questionnaire to all the candidates in each contested race, asking them to introduce themselves to voters. Read their responses here.

Kenyan McDuffie said he鈥檒l take a both-sides approach, working together when possible and pushing back when needed.

鈥淟isten, I’m going to fight back where necessary and work with the federal government where possible,鈥� McDuffie said.

He said he would also end D.C. police’s cooperation with ICE and work with federal agencies on projects that benefit the city.

McDuffie said his plan includes building national coalitions and strengthening D.C.鈥檚 case for statehood.

鈥淲e have a strong case to be the 51st state,鈥� he said.

Council member Janeese Lewis George said the city needs a harder line with the federal government.

鈥淚 believe that, you know, we can, that complying in advance is not an adequate strategy, and that we can do more through our leadership to be able to protect D.C. residents,鈥� Lewis George said.

She said she has introduced legislation to end cooperation between D.C. police and ICE and would use legal tools to push back against federal overreach.

Lewis George said she would expand advocacy efforts and organize a broader movement to push for statehood and bring attention to the issue on a national level.

Rini Sampath said she would directly oppose federal overreach in local policing.

鈥淚 will not cooperate with any federal takeover of MPD or deployment of federal law enforcement against D.C. communities,鈥� Sampath said.

Former D.C. Council member Vincent Orange said he would defend home rule while maintaining relationships in Washington.

鈥淚 will defend D.C.鈥檚 Home Rule every day through legal, legislative and strategic action,鈥� Orange said.

Ernest Johnson said the approach should balance collaboration with protecting local authority.

鈥淚 will work collaboratively where it benefits residents, but firmly push back against any overreach that undermines local control,鈥� Johnson said.

Affordability and housing

The candidates said affordability and housing will be a key part of their plans if elected.

As housing costs continue to rise, each candidate is laying out a different plan to create more affordable housing.

McDuffie, a former council member, said families are already feeling the pressure.

鈥淚’ve laid out a plan that is bold to build 12,000 new units of housing in the District of Columbia, but importantly to preserve 20,000 existing units of affordable housing by 2030,鈥� McDuffie said.

He said cutting red tape and expanding support programs would help more people stay.

Goodweather said he鈥檚 committed to building 50,000 multi-generational homes in the city, and he said bringing vacant homes online will help with that goal. Another part of his plan is involves the permitting process.

鈥淚’m going to completely revamp the Department of Buildings’ permitting and licensing,鈥� he said.

Lewis George said her plan focuses on increasing supply across the city.

鈥淎s mayor, I will increase D.C. housing supply and build 72,000 homes in five years by reforming zoning laws, streamlining the permitting process and breaking down other barriers to building more housing all across the city,鈥� Lewis George said.

She said that plan also includes stronger tenant protections and expanding homeownership programs.

Sampath said the issue is driven largely by supply shortages.

鈥淢y approach has two parts: build more and protect who is already here. Building more: I will pursue zoning reform to allow more density near transit, fix permitting timelines that are among the worst of any major city,鈥� Sampath said.

Orange said the focus should be on both building and protecting residents.

鈥淚 will accelerate affordable housing production through the Housing Production Trust Fund and partnerships. I will prioritize workforce housing and targeted support for vulnerable residents,鈥� Orange said.

Johnson said the system needs to change who benefits from development.

鈥淚 will prioritize producing housing without relying on the same developer-driven model that has driven up costs,鈥� Johnson said.

Government accountability

Holding agencies accountable is something voters continue to bring up on the campaign trail according to the candidates, but their plans take different approaches.

Lewis George said accountability starts with transparency and leadership.

鈥淲e need a government which you know that takes our problems seriously and that puts people first and operates based on public trust and not loyalty,鈥� she said.

Lewis George said she鈥檇 appoint expert leaders, open up the contracting process so residents can see how decisions are made and improve communication so people know how agencies are performing.

McDuffie added that includes improving 911 response times, hiring more staff and setting clear benchmarks for agencies, with leadership changes if those goals aren鈥檛 met.

Goodweather said he wants a data-driven dashboard approach across all agencies.

鈥淲e’re going to be able to track every dollar that the District of Columbia spends, because these are taxpayer dollars,鈥� he said.

Goodweather said residents should be able to track spending and performance in real time and hold leaders accountable for results.

Orange said leadership and measurable performance standards are key.

鈥淚 will implement performance-based management across agencies, with clear metrics and public reporting,鈥� Orange said.

Sampath said she would tie accountability to data and measurable outcomes.

鈥淚 will launch a public budget and performance dashboard on day one: every major agency’s spending, service delivery timelines, and key outcomes published in real time by ward,鈥� Sampath said.

Johnson said accountability should be tied to clear benchmarks.

鈥淚 will implement agency scorecards with measurable benchmarks tied to service delivery, budgets, and outcomes, published regularly for public review,鈥� Johnson said.

Public safety and curfews

From curfews to police department staffing, the candidates are also laying out different approaches to crime and whether curfews should be used to address it.

Public safety is a major issue in the race, and there are clear differences on youth curfews.

Goodweather said curfews point to deeper problems that aren鈥檛 being addressed.

鈥淵outh curfews are an extreme tool, they’re an extreme measure and they are the result of failure of other systems,鈥� he said.

Goodweather said his plan includes expanding mental health services and tackling poverty, along with adding social workers and support systems in schools.

McDuffie supports using them in the short term as part of a broader strategy.

鈥淚 support a temporary curfew, because what we’re seeing in places like Navy Yard and U Street is unacceptable,鈥� he said.

McDuffie said he would hire more officers, improve pay and recruitment and rebuild trust in the department while also investing in community-based programs.

Lewis George said while safety is critical, expanding curfews right now comes with risks.

鈥淚t is about using this tool in the time that we’re in right now, and I believe it’s dangerous, because we have Donald Trump’s federal troops on our streets, we have ICE agents, we have federal agencies, these are people who are not trained in de-escalation,鈥� she said.

Lewis George said her plan leans heavily on prevention and intervention, including addressing mental health, expanding youth programs, and creating community safety hubs.

Sampath said curfews should only be used carefully and alongside investment.

鈥淚 support targeted, temporary youth curfew zones as one limited tool in a broader strategy but only when paired with real investment in youth programming and safe spaces,鈥� Sampath said.

Orange said he supports targeted time-limited youth curfews but said they need to be part of a broader effort.

鈥淐urfews alone are not a solution 鈥� they must be paired with engagement, family support and clear alternatives,鈥� Orange said.

Johnson said curfews should not be a long-term solution.

鈥淚 do not support broad, permanent 8 p.m. youth curfew zones as a long-term solution,鈥� Johnson said.

Candidate Hope Solomon did not respond to a questionnaire sent out to all of the candidates.

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The project brought years of lane closures and traffic shifts between the Capital Beltway and Spout Run, along one of the region鈥檚 busiest commuter routes.

“Today, we celebrate the renewal of one of the most historic and heavily traveled gateways into our nation’s capital,鈥� Jen Madello, the parkway’s National Park Service superintendent, said.

Officials celebrated the reopening with a ribbon cutting along the roadway Monday.

Among those marking the milestone was Rep. Don Beyer, of Virginia, who joked about the construction that kept drivers on their toes with constantly shifting traffic patterns.

鈥淚 do confess, I’m going to miss shifting lanes every quarter mile or so on lanes that seem like they’re 5 feet wide,鈥� Beyer said.

Work began in 2022 and included paving, improving drainage, restoring stone walls and upgrading other infrastructure. It was the first major rehabilitation of the northern section of the parkway since it opened in 1962, the Interior Department said.

鈥淭his project is a reminder of what can happen when we work together,鈥� Beyer said.

Virginia Sen. Mark Warner agreed, noting the work was made possible through bipartisan support, including the Great American Outdoors Act signed during President Donald Trump鈥檚 first term. He also warned more cooperation will be needed as plans move forward to improve the parkway’s southern section.

鈥淵es, as we start the construction on the southern tier, there may be some inconvenience coming as well, but we will get through it at the end of the day. We’ve got a safer, more preserved parkway, preserving our history, and all of us who use this as a critical artery in the DMV,鈥� Warner said.

Also at the ribbon cutting was Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, who said the improvements are part of a broader push to invest in infrastructure.

鈥淲e’re choosing beauty over blight, and the George Washington Memorial Parkway then, is more than a road, it’s a gateway, and as such, it tells the story of America,鈥� Burgum said.

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Patrick Kern, owner of , said Pride is a perfect time to pick up a book that reflects more of everyday life in the LGBTQ+ community.

“I think Pride Month is a really good time to read queer stories, because so much of Pride Month either focuses on the really high highs or the really low lows of the queer experience,” Kern said.

He said books can help fill in everything in between.

“The books give you a chance to see kind of the full spectrum, some you can be a slice of life novel, or it can be, you know, an epic fantasy, but like really delving into nuances of things you don’t understand,” Kern said.

Among his recommendations is Second Chances in New Port Stephen by T.J. Alexander, a romance that follows a trans man heading home for the holidays and facing his past.

“About trans man who’s going home for the holidays and kind of reconciling with all of the big things that have gone wrong in his life and reconnecting with the lost love,” Kern said.

He recommends The Lesbian Bar Chronicles by Rachel Karp, which highlights stories from lesbian bars across the country.

“It’s a topic that’s not really delved into very much. A lot of the emphasis on queer spaces is on bars that are very focused on men, so this is getting people who are not very much the spectacle of queer stories,” Kern said.

Another pick, Cantoras by Carolina De Robertis, follows a group of women building community during difficult political times in Uruguay.

“It is about a whole bunch of women coming together and finding community in kind of inhospitable times and all kinds of horrible things that are happening, but kind of creating joy in a terrible moment,” Kern said.

For something centered on culture and connection, Kern suggests Taiwan Travelogue by Yang Shuang-zi.

“It’s a really interesting exploration of Taiwanese culture and Taiwanese food at the same time that she’s developing this really beautiful relationship with her tour guide and kind of shows you how rich and deep different cultures coming together can be,” Kern said.

And if you want something a little more offbeat, there鈥檚 Light from Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki, which blends science fiction and fantasy.

“It’s two different stories in one. One is the story of a young girl finding herself, and the other is a woman who is reconciling with the consequences of what she did to become famous and coming together,” Kern said.

Kern said with thousands of titles on the shelves, there鈥檚 something for just about anyone looking to explore LGBTQ+ stories this month or any time of year.

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Charter school advocates believe the issue is not how much money is to be spent, but how it is being allocated. They argue some funds are being directed outside the city鈥檚 per鈥憇tudent funding formula.

According to D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson the mayor’s proposed budget moved $85 million out of the Uniform Per Student Funding Formula, or UPSFF, used to allocate money to traditional public schools and charter schools.

That proposed $85 million reallocation would now fund only D.C. public schools.

Ariel Johnson, executive director of the D.C. Charter School Alliance, said if charter schools were given the same funds, it would amount to another $2,000 per pupil.

“Which is a huge number when you think about for some of our smaller schools, our schools that might only serve, you know, 300 or 400 kids.听That could be $2 million of funding for those students that they’re not going to see this year,” Johnson said.

She said this difference could force tough decisions at charter schools.

鈥淲e are going to see 鈥� teachers maybe being laid off or specialty programs being curtailed or cut,鈥� she said. “That’s not hyperbole, that’s going to happen.”

Mendelson said the mayor鈥檚 proposed budget created the issue.

鈥淲hat the mayor did with this budget is she funded two important initiatives for DCPS outside the formula, and that’s what has the charter sector upset 鈥� rightfully upset,鈥� Mendelson said.

Mendelson said moving that money back into the formula would be difficult due to overall budget constraints.

鈥淚 don’t like the policy choice the mayor made, but to be able to fully correct it is very costly,鈥� he said.

At a council hearing on Tuesday, students and families also made their voices heard.

Andres Itogutierez Meajia, a Cesar Chavez Public Charter School student, said funding should be equal.

鈥淓ducation is education, it shouldn’t matter what charter school or public DCPS school you go to,鈥� he said.

Kendall Ramsey, a sixth grade student at Center City Public Charter School, said more funding would improve school resources.

鈥淚 believe charter schools deserve to have, like, more funding, would help school provide with better desks, like rebuild the school a little bit, food, and better bathrooms,鈥� she said.

Some parents said the impact could go beyond the classroom.

鈥淚 believe that fair funding is equal rights, and all the schools deserve fair funding, no matter what school it is,鈥� said Joi Burriss, whose children attend The Sojourner Truth Public Charter School.

District officials argue the budget still increases funding for charter schools.

In a statement, the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Education said the proposal adds more than $50 million for public charter schools and increases funding for all public schools. The office said the budget also keeps more than $187 million in facilities funding for charter schools in place.

鈥淟ast year, the Council-approved financial plan shifted multiple items outside of the UPSFF in order to respond to declining revenues and balance the budget. In the Mayor’s FY27 proposal, she was able to put teacher pay back into the formula, plus grow the UPSFF by 2.55%, resulting in more money for D.C. schools, including charters,鈥� the statement read.

The deputy mayor’s office also said putting additional costs back into the funding formula cannot be done.

“Putting the DCPS fixed costs back through the formula would have required an increase of $100 million into the budget which the District simply doesn’t have available at a time of declining revenues,” the statement said.

The D.C. Council is expected to take its first vote on the budget next week.

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In a letter to Council Chair Phil Mendelson on Tuesday, Bowser described the lack of action as disappointing, blaming five members, whom she said, prevented the legislation from moving forward.

鈥淚 am greatly disappointed that five members of Council are essentially obstructing the Council from moving forward on this important public safety legislation. Council members Janeese Lewis George, Trayon White, Robert White, Brianne Nadeau and Zachary Parker have refused to let the emergency declaration pass despite the majority of members supporting the permanent and emergency versions of this bill,鈥� the letter reads.

For the legislation to get a vote, it needed nine votes, which Mendelson said the council doesn鈥檛 have.

鈥淥rdinarily, it’s been the tradition of this council that when the majority decides, (the) minority doesn’t impede that decision, which is what has happened,鈥� Mendelson said.

The proposal would have allowed police to impose temporary early curfews in specific areas to respond to so-called teen takeovers.

Those named in the mayor鈥檚 letter pushed back on the criticism.

At-Large Council member Robert White called the mayor鈥檚 letter 鈥渋rresponsible politics.鈥�

鈥淚 was one of maybe all members who supported a temporary curfew a year ago and we said to the mayor, ‘You’ve got to put together a full plan.’ She didn’t do it, and now she wants to blame the council. It’s ridiculous. It’s irresponsible,鈥� White said.

Ward 1 Council member Nadeau said she has been consistent in her position on the issue, voting against the permanent law and the emergency legislation.

鈥淚 stand by my belief that the curfew policy is a failed policy. It’s kind of smoke and mirrors and what we really need is investments in our young people,鈥� Nadeau said. 鈥淚’m pretty firm on that.鈥�

Council member Lewis George said the disagreement is about how to address the issue.

鈥淲e disagree that expanding the curfew in this very precarious time in our city, when we know federal troops and federal agencies are enforcing the law, puts young people at risk,鈥� Lewis George said.

Ward 5 Council member Parker also criticized the mayor鈥檚 letter.

鈥淚t’s unfortunate. It strikes me as political gamesmanship,鈥� Parker said.

The mayor said her administration will still use the authority it has to keep people safe as that gap approaches.

Council member Brooke Pinto, who supported the legislation, said she had hoped the council would approve the emergency measure to avoid a gap in enforcement.

鈥淎s you know, the council did pass the permanent version of the juvenile curfew emergency. But because we’re not a state yet, Congress is still reviewing our legislation,鈥� Pinto said. 鈥淏y the time they review it and approve it, it will be July. So my hope was to move the emergency, so we don’t have a gap. Unfortunately, we didn’t have the votes.鈥�

Ward 6 Council member Charles Allen said who said he was also ready to vote for the emergency,听 the issue has already been debated and suggested politics may be driving the renewed attention.

鈥淲e have had this debate maybe a month or so ago. 鈥� There’s an election coming up, so maybe that’s why we just keep seeing this kind of brought back up over and over again,鈥� Allen said.

The mayor鈥檚 executive order allowing the use of temporary curfew zones by police ends Saturday.

She said her administration will continue to take necessary steps under existing law to keep residents safe.

Under the permanent law, curfew hours beginning in July will run from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. on weekdays and midnight to 6 a.m. on weekends from September through June and from midnight to 6 a.m. daily in July and August.

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