The primary election is just a few months away, and the race to lead the District is already heating up!

That’s why we’re excited to invite you to a major candidate forum we’re co-hosting with partners from across the District: “Building a District that Cares for All: DC Democratic Mayor and At-Large Councilmember Candidate Forum.” This is your chance to hear directly from, and engage with, candidates about where they stand on the issues that matter most to you and your neighbors. Please RSVP today!

The 2026 election will be a defining moment for the District. For the first time in 12 years, voters will elect a new mayor alongside new councilmembers, and it couldn’t come at a more critical moment. As the District faces an affordability crisis, economic uncertainty, and growing threats to home rule, who we elect and how they govern will shape our future for a generation.

This forum isn’t just about hearing from candidates, it’s about making sure they hear from you and are clear about how they plan to deliver on their promises. From the programs and services that families and workers rely on every day, such as accessing medical care and paid family leave, bonding with a new child or caring for ourselves and our families when sick, protecting workers who provide care, and ensuring families have access to affordable child care and afterschool programs, we want to learn about their plans to build a District that cares for all. 

Join us to hear from the Democratic candidates running for Mayor and candidates for At-Large Councilmember* running to represent you!

Date & Time: Sunday, March 29 | Doors open at 2:30 PM with the forum from 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Location: Festival Center at 1640 Columbia Rd NW

Child care and interpretation will be provided.

RSVP HERE

We hope to see you later this month!

This event is sponsored by: Alliance for Justice and Education, Anti-Racist DC, DC Action, DC Fiscal Policy Institute, DC Jobs with Justice, Fair Budget Coalition, Festival Center, First Shift Justice Project, Jews United for Justice, Keep DC Healthy, Multicultural Spanish-Speaking Providers Association, National Domestic Workers Alliance, SPACEs In Action, and Under 3 DC.

* All candidates running in the Democratic primary for mayor and all candidates running for the at-large councilmember seat have been invited to participate. To qualify for the forum, candidates must secure a place on the ballot (with the Board of Elections issuing an initial ruling on Monday, March 23) and either be certified for the District’s Fair Elections public financing program or, if privately financing their campaign, report at least 1,000 contributions from DC residents for mayoral candidates or 250 for at-large candidates.