District of Columbia

Ward 1 Member of the Council

Vote for: 1
Term: 4 years
Candidates: 4
Election: Nov 3, 2026

What this office does: The Ward 1 member of the Council of the District of Columbia represents the ward, voting on the District's laws and budget.

Ranked-choice voting (Initiative 83): voters may rank up to 5 choices.

Candidates Compare by issue

Public safety

Jett James JasperRepublican
- Pledges to fill 800 MPD vacancies with hiring bonuses.
- Supports data-driven police deployment to high-crime areas.
- Proposes after-school and vocational programs to prevent youth crime.
Ryan PrinceIndependent
No documented position found.
Jude CrannitchDC Statehood Green
- Proposes intergenerational community activities to address causes of crime.
Aparna RajDemocratic
- Proposes ending MPD collaboration with ICE.
- Supports expanding violence interrupters and fixing 911 delays.

Housing

Jett James JasperRepublican
- Supports streamlined zoning and permitting to increase housing supply.
Ryan PrinceIndependent
No documented position found.
Jude CrannitchDC Statehood Green
- Supports legislation recognizing housing as a human right.
Aparna RajDemocratic
- Proposes rent stabilization for all multifamily-building renters.
- Supports legalizing apartments citywide and upzoning transit corridors.

Economy & jobs

Jett James JasperRepublican
- Proposes special economic zones with business tax exemptions.
- Supports simpler licensing, inspections and faster business permits.
Ryan PrinceIndependent
No documented position found.
Jude CrannitchDC Statehood Green
No documented position found.
Aparna RajDemocratic
- Supports raising minimum wage and ending tipped subminimum wage.

Roads & infrastructure

Jett James JasperRepublican
- Supports safer intersections and more reliable bus service.
Ryan PrinceIndependent
No documented position found.
Jude CrannitchDC Statehood Green
No documented position found.
Aparna RajDemocratic
- Supports public ownership of DC's energy utilities.

Environment & parks

Jett James JasperRepublican
No documented position found.
Ryan PrinceIndependent
No documented position found.
Jude CrannitchDC Statehood Green
- Pledges to address racial disparities and environmental toxins.
Aparna RajDemocratic
No documented position found.

Health & human services

Jett James JasperRepublican
No documented position found.
Ryan PrinceIndependent
No documented position found.
Jude CrannitchDC Statehood Green
- Proposes more social services for vulnerable residents, working with ANCs.
Aparna RajDemocratic
- Proposes free universal childcare funded by business activity tax.

Government & transparency

Jett James JasperRepublican
- Supports working with Congress and the administration on DC's budget.
Ryan PrinceIndependent
No documented position found.
Jude CrannitchDC Statehood Green
- Supports DC statehood and funding the statehood delegation.
Aparna RajDemocratic
- Supports DC statehood and defending Home Rule.

Courts & justice

Jett James JasperRepublican
No documented position found.
Ryan PrinceIndependent
No documented position found.
Jude CrannitchDC Statehood Green
- Supports alternatives to incarceration shaped by youth input.
- Proposes jobs, training and therapy for returning residents.
Aparna RajDemocratic
No documented position found.

Challengers are listed first and incumbents last; otherwise candidates appear in ballot order. The Gist does not rank, rate or endorse candidates. Only positions backed by a cited source are shown; 8 issues covered in this race.