The Gist
At-Large Member of the Council
Photo of Elissa Silverman
Elissa SilvermanCouncil of the District of Columbia

Elissa Silverman

Candidate for At-Large Member of the Council

IndependentIncumbent

Background

Occupation
At-large member of the D.C. Council
Campaign website
elissafordc.com

At-large D.C. Councilmember (Independent) since July 17, 2026, after winning the June 16, 2026 special election to finish Kenyan McDuffie's term; she previously served on the Council from 2015 to 2023. Earlier a Washington City Paper and Washington Post reporter and a D.C. Fiscal Policy Institute budget analyst.

Report

Photo: Council of the District of Columbia

Documented positions

Public safety

  • Supports a properly trained and fully staffed police department.

    Her site also cites funding for the Cure the Streets violence-interruption program and support for evidence-based programs to reduce gun violence.

    "A Better D.C. For All" Agenda

    Campaign website · Elissa for DC · elissafordc.com

    “She supports an MPD that is properly trained and staffed and that protects residents and respects their rights.”
    Report

Education

  • Pledges to focus on lowering D.C.'s school truancy rate.

    "A Better D.C. For All" Agenda

    Campaign website · Elissa for DC · elissafordc.com

    “She is focused on lowering D.C.'s school truancy rate.”
    Report

  • Supports making aftercare a standard part of the school day.

    The DC Line columnist's account of a July 2026 interview, in which she also stressed equitable aftercare across schools.

    Elissa Silverman returns to the DC Council (column)

    News coverage · The DC Line (Jonetta Rose Barras) · Jul 17, 2026 · thedcline.org

    “She wants to make aftercare a standard part of the school day.”
    Report

Housing

  • Supports removing obstacles to building more housing.

    "A Better D.C. For All" Agenda

    Campaign website · Elissa for DC · elissafordc.com

    “She advocates for increasing the housing supply by removing unnecessary obstacles to building and by strategically using public lands and public dollars.”
    Report

Economy & jobs

  • Co-authored D.C.'s paid family and medical leave law.

    Law passed during her 2015-2023 Council tenure; the program launched in 2020.

    "A Better D.C. For All" Agenda

    Campaign website · Elissa for DC · elissafordc.com

    “Elissa co-authored the District's paid family and medical leave law, which provides working people in D.C. with up to 12 weeks of paid leave”
    Report

  • Supports lowering businesses' cost of financing universal paid leave.

    The DC Line columnist's account of a July 2026 interview.

    Elissa Silverman returns to the DC Council (column)

    News coverage · The DC Line (Jonetta Rose Barras) · Jul 17, 2026 · thedcline.org

    “she intends to push for reductions in the cost borne by businesses to finance universal paid leave in the city”
    Report

Health & human services

  • Led a council push against proposed ACA insurance rate hikes.

    Reported by The DC Line (Sept. 18, 2026); the rate requests were for DC's Affordable Care Act health insurance market.

    Is the DC Council at-large race in the general election mostly a fight among progressives? (column)

    News coverage · The DC Line (Jonetta Rose Barras) · Sep 18, 2026 · thedcline.org

    “she recently persuaded 11 of her council colleagues to urge the Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking not to approve recently requested rate hikes”
    Report

Government & transparency

  • Pledges to stop District collaboration with ICE.

    "A Better D.C. For All" Agenda

    Campaign website · Elissa for DC · elissafordc.com

    “She will stop collaboration with ICE and ensure the Council proactively defends our right to self-determination.”
    Report

Other issues in this race

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

  • Taxes & budgetNo documented position found.
  • Roads & infrastructureNo documented position found.
  • 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.