The Gist
Ward 1 Member of the Council
Photo of Aparna Raj
Aparna RajCampaign photo — VOTE411 (League of Women Voters)

Aparna Raj

Candidate for Ward 1 Member of the Council

Democratic

Background

Occupation
Community organizer
Lives in
Columbia Heights
Campaign website
aparnafordc.com

Community and tenant organizer and union member who is the Democratic nominee for the open Ward 1 seat. She has served on ANC 1A's Housing Justice and Zoning Committee.

Report

Photo: Campaign photo — VOTE411 (League of Women Voters)

Documented positions

Public safety

  • Proposes ending MPD collaboration with ICE.

    Also proposes an immigration public defender program and closing loopholes in the Sanctuary Values Act.

    VOTE411 Voter Guide: DC Ward 1 Member of the Council (candidate questionnaire)

    Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters of the District of Columbia (VOTE411) · onyourballot.vote411.org

    “establish an immigration public defender program, and end MPD collaboration with ICE so all residents can live safely and without fear”
    Report

  • Supports expanding violence interrupters and fixing 911 delays.

    Her platform proposes higher 911 dispatcher pay, updated technology and a citywide paramedic call-taker program.

    VOTE411 Voter Guide: DC Ward 1 Member of the Council (candidate questionnaire)

    Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters of the District of Columbia (VOTE411) · onyourballot.vote411.org

    “I will expand violence interrupter programs in neighborhood hot spots”
    Aparna for DC: Platform

    Campaign website · Aparna for DC · aparnafordc.com

    “She'll fight to raise dispatcher salaries and to invest in up-to-date technology that can strengthen responsiveness and reliability.”
    Report

Housing

  • Proposes rent stabilization for all multifamily-building renters.

    Would apply when the Council reauthorizes rent stabilization in 2030; her platform also pledges to restore Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (TOPA) rights to every resident.

    Meet the candidates running for the Ward 1 DC Council seat

    Interview · WJLA 7News · Jun 12, 2026 · wjla.com

    “I want to expand rent stabilization to all multi-family buildings across the District.”
    Aparna for DC: Platform

    Campaign website · Aparna for DC · aparnafordc.com

    “Aparna will push for rent stabilization for all renters in multifamily buildings when the DC Council reauthorizes rent stabilization in 2030”
    Report

  • Supports legalizing apartments citywide and upzoning transit corridors.

    Aparna for DC: Platform

    Campaign website · Aparna for DC · aparnafordc.com

    “Aparna will fight to make it legal to build apartments everywhere in DC … specifically work to upzone transit corridors such as Georgia Ave and 14th St”
    Report

Economy & jobs

Roads & infrastructure

  • Supports public ownership of DC's energy utilities.

    In the near term her platform proposes lowering Pepco's guaranteed rate of return (to about 6%) and stricter Public Service Commission review of rate increases.

    Aparna for DC: Platform

    Campaign website · Aparna for DC · aparnafordc.com

    “Aparna believes that DC should transition to public ownership of its utilities. … Aparna will fight to reduce Pepco's margin to a more reasonable rate, such as 6%.”
    Report

Health & human services

Government & transparency

Other issues in this race

Other candidates in this race addressed these topics. We found no documented position from Aparna Raj on them.

  • Environment & parksNo documented position found.
  • Courts & justiceNo documented position found.

All sources (7)

Positions are summarized from the sources listed and are not inferred from party affiliation. Items marked “Provided by” were published by the candidate's verified campaign or party office under our campaign content standards. See something wrong? Use the Report link beside it, or contact us.