Zachary Parker
Candidate for Ward 5 Member of the Council
Background
- Occupation
- Ward 5 councilmember; former teacher
- Campaign website
- zacharyparker2026.com
Ward 5 councilmember since 2023 and chair of the Council's Committee on Youth Affairs; elected to the State Board of Education in 2018 and chosen as its president in 2021. A former 7th-grade math teacher, he spent eight years coaching DC public school administrators.
Photo: Official portrait — Council of the District of Columbia
Documented positions
Taxes & budget
Introduced the District's local Child Tax Credit.
His campaign says the credit provides $1,000 per child under 18 to working-class families.
ReportMeet Zach — zacharyparker2026.comCampaign website · The Committee to Re-Elect Zachary Parker 2026 · zacharyparker2026.com
“introduced transformative legislation, including the District Child Tax Credit”
The Fight Forward: Zachary Parker Delivers Real Results for DC & Ward 5Campaign website · The Committee to Re-Elect Zachary Parker 2026 · zacharyparker2026.com
“making DC the first city in the nation to provide a local child tax credit”
Public safety
Supports expanding mental health and trauma-informed care to prevent crime.
ReportVOTE411 Voter Guide: DC Ward 5 Member of the Council (candidate questionnaire)Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters of the District of Columbia (VOTE411) · onyourballot.vote411.org
“We also need to expand access to mental health and trauma-informed care in our communities.”
Education
Pledges to improve attendance, school facilities and career pathways.
ReportVOTE411 Voter Guide: DC Ward 5 Member of the Council (candidate questionnaire)Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters of the District of Columbia (VOTE411) · onyourballot.vote411.org
“I will work to improve attendance, invest in school facilities and support systems, and expand career pathways and out-of-school programs.”
Housing
Supports density near transit, faster permitting and public-land housing.
Would also expand rental assistance such as ERAP and targeted vouchers, including the Local Rent Supplement Program.
ReportVOTE411 Voter Guide: DC Ward 5 Member of the Council (candidate questionnaire)Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters of the District of Columbia (VOTE411) · onyourballot.vote411.org
“I would prioritize supply-side reforms like increasing density near transit, streamlining permitting, activating public land for mixed-income housing … I would expand rental assistance like ERAP and targeted vouchers for vulnerable populations”
Environment & parks
Introduced the Environmental Justice Amendment Act of 2023.
ReportThe Fight Forward: Zachary Parker Delivers Real Results for DC & Ward 5Campaign website · The Committee to Re-Elect Zachary Parker 2026 · zacharyparker2026.com
“introducing legislation like the Environmental Justice Amendment Act of 2023 to confront decades of inequities that have treated Ward 5 as a dumping ground”
Government & transparency
Supports DC statehood through a national education campaign.
ReportVOTE411 Voter Guide: DC Ward 5 Member of the Council (candidate questionnaire)Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters of the District of Columbia (VOTE411) · onyourballot.vote411.org
“More than anything, we need a strong public education campaign in all 50 states to build support.”
Courts & justice
Supports youth rehabilitation and reducing recidivism as committee chair.
ReportVOTE411 Voter Guide: DC Ward 5 Member of the Council (candidate questionnaire)Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters of the District of Columbia (VOTE411) · onyourballot.vote411.org
“my top priority is supporting youth rehabilitation and driving down recidivism”
Supports fair-chance hiring and record-sealing for returning residents.
ReportVOTE411 Voter Guide: DC Ward 5 Member of the Council (candidate questionnaire)Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters of the District of Columbia (VOTE411) · onyourballot.vote411.org
“advancing fair-chance hiring and record-sealing policies”
Other issues in this race
Other candidates in this race addressed these topics. We found no documented position from Zachary Parker on them.
- Economy & jobsNo documented position found.
- Roads & infrastructureNo documented position found.
- Health & human servicesNo documented position found.
All sources (6)
- November 3, 2026 General Election Candidates in Ballot Order
Election filing · District of Columbia Board of Elections · dcboe.org
- 2026 General Election: certified sample ballots and candidate lists (all wards and ANCs)
Election filing · District of Columbia Board of Elections · dcboe.org
- Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker: Council member page (biography, term and committees)
Government record · Council of the District of Columbia · dccouncil.gov
- Meet Zach — zacharyparker2026.com
Campaign website · The Committee to Re-Elect Zachary Parker 2026 · zacharyparker2026.com
- The Fight Forward: Zachary Parker Delivers Real Results for DC & Ward 5
Campaign website · The Committee to Re-Elect Zachary Parker 2026 · zacharyparker2026.com
- VOTE411 Voter Guide: DC Ward 5 Member of the Council (candidate questionnaire)
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters of the District of Columbia (VOTE411) · onyourballot.vote411.org
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.