-  Wards 7 and 8 Made Their Voice Heard! What's Next?!

June 25th, 2026

WASHINGTON, DC. Following the 2026 primary, ElectED congratulated the candidates it endorsed who won and thanked every candidate who answered the call to serve their community. For many of them, support ran strongest in Ward 7 and Ward 8, where they drew a higher share of the vote than they did across the city. East Of The River is where these candidates connected most. With the primary decided, ElectED is continuing its core work: better schools for D.C.’s children East of the River. 

ElectED congratulates Council Chairman Phil Mendelson and Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker on their primary wins. Mendelson earned strong support across the city, including in Ward 7 and Ward 8. 

“We are proud of every candidate who put their name forward and made the case for DC families,” said Erika Harrell, Executive Director of ElectED DC. “Congratulations to Chairman Mendelson and Councilmember Parker. And to the candidates whose races did not end the way we hoped, thank you. You ran with heart, you ran on the issues, and you gave this city a real choice.”

ElectED gave special recognition to Oye Owolewa, a Ward 8 resident who carried the concerns of his own neighborhood into this race. His campaign reflected what ElectED works for every day: leaders who come from the community they serve and who fight for the families living right next door.

“Oye is one of our own, a Ward 8 neighbor who ran a campaign rooted in this community,” said Harrell. “That kind of leadership is exactly what East Of The River deserves, and we are grateful he stepped up.”

With the primary behind it, ElectED is continuing to focus on the work that defines it: building the conditions for every DC student to get a great education. That means showing up at hearings, organizing alongside parents and community members, and keeping the focus on the children whose futures depend on the choices this city makes.

“Campaigns end, but the work for our kids never stops,” said Harrell. “We are getting right back to it, because every child in this city deserves a school that sets them up to thrive. The general election is in November, and ElectED will continue to engage with candidates and the community.”

About ElectED DC

ElectED DC’s mission is to engage community members East Of The River to build political power, increase representation of historically marginalized communities at all levels, and advocate for the policy conditions that will enable every D.C. student to thrive. Learn more at https://www.electeddc.org.

Media Inquiries

Email: info@electeddc.org

Spokespeople available: China Kittrell | Ckittrell@electeddc.org