The 2026 Council of the District of Columbia special election was held on June 16, 2026, to elect one at-large member to the Council of the District of Columbia. Interim councilmember Doni Crawford was appointed to the position following the resignation of Kenyan McDuffie.
Background Incumbent councilmember Kenyan McDuffie was first elected in 2022 with 22% of the vote. He announced in January 2026 that he would run for mayor in the upcoming election. Prior to his announcement, he resigned from the council on January 5, 2026. Doni Crawford, who worked as a staffer for McDuffie, was appointed to the vacancy. A special election was scheduled upon McDuffie's resignation, to be held on June 16, concurrent with the city's primary election.
Applied to be appointed In total, 42 individuals submitted applications for McDuffie's seat. Applicants included: Kwame Brown, former chairman of the Council of the District of Columbia (2011–2012) and at-large councilmember (2005–2011) Doni Crawford, advisor to outgoing councilmember Kenyan McDuffie (eventual appointee) Allister Chang, member of the District of Columbia State Board of Education from Ward 2 Jack Evans, former councilmember from Ward 2 (1991–2020) Amy Mauro, former chief of staff at the District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department Lisa Rice, lobbyist and political strategist Tonya Kinlow, former Children's National Hospital executive Elissa Silverman, former at-large councilmember (2015–2023) Eboni-Rose Thompson, former president of the District of Columbia State Board of Education and Democratic candidate for Ward 7 councilmember in 2024 Jacque Patterson, president of the District of Columbia State Board of Education Vincent Orange, former member of the Council of the District of Columbia from the at-large district (2011-2016) and from Ward 5 (1999-2007) Megan Browder, former deputy attorney general for the District of Columbia Zach Israel, former ANC commissioner from 4D04 Candidates Independents Doni Crawford, incumbent at-large councilmember (2026–present) Jacque Patterson, president of the District of Columbia State Board of Education Elissa Silverman, former at-large councilmember (2015–2023)
Withdrawn De’Andre Anderson
Disqualified Edward Daniels, ANC commissioner from 8F Senay Emmanuel, policy analyst Doug Sloan, political strategist and former vice president of the Washington, D.C. NAACP branch Khalil Lee, former congressional staffer
Declined Allister Chang, member of the District of Columbia State Board of Education from Ward 2 Amy Mauro, former chief of staff at the District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department Lisa Rice, lobbyist and political strategist Eboni-Rose Thompson, member of the District of Columbia State Board of Education and Democratic candidate for Ward 7 councilmember in 2024
Endorsements
Debate + 2026 Council of the District of Columbia at-large seat special election debate Date Host Moderator Link Independent Independent IndependentKey: Participant Absent Not invited Invited Withdrawn Doni Crawford Elissa Silverman Jacque Patterson1 Apr. 28, 2026 District of Columbia Board of Elections Michael Brice-Saddler YouTube
Results
References