Federal
Shadow U.S. Senator
- Vote for
- 1
- Term
- 6 years
- Candidates
- 2
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
What this office does: An unpaid District office, elected to press Congress for D.C. statehood. It isn't a seat in the U.S. Senate, where the District has no senators; the ballot calls it "United States Senator."
Taxes & budget
Robert SimmonsRepublican
- Pledges efficient, transparent spending of taxpayer dollars.
Paul StraussDemocratic
No documented position found.
Public safety
Robert SimmonsRepublican
- Supports law enforcement and strong public-safety policies.
Paul StraussDemocratic
No documented position found.
Education
Robert SimmonsRepublican
- Supports school choice programs.
Paul StraussDemocratic
No documented position found.
Economy & jobs
Robert SimmonsRepublican
- Supports tax relief and less regulation for businesses.
Paul StraussDemocratic
No documented position found.
Government & transparency
Robert SimmonsRepublican
- Supports D.C. statehood and full representation in Congress.
Paul StraussDemocratic
- Supports D.C. statehood and full political equality.
- Opposes the Trump administration's actions toward D.C.
- Led the '51 Stars' celebrity campaign for D.C. statehood.
- Supports pressing D.C.'s voting-rights case under international law.
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; 5 issues covered in this race.