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Elissa Silverman

Independent candidate for At-Large Member of the Council of the District of Columbia · Incumbent

At-Large Member of the Council of the District of Columbia (incumbent since July 17, 2026); former reporter and budget analyst

Elissa Silverman is an independent who served as an at-large D.C. Councilmember from 2015 to 2023 and won the June 16, 2026 special election to finish the term of Kenyan McDuffie, who resigned to run for mayor. She was sworn in on July 17, 2026. She is running in the November 3, 2026 general election for a full four-year term in an at-large seat that is reserved for a non-majority-party member.

Where Silverman stands

Housing

Says D.C. should build more rental housing and improve the information renters get about affordable options and rent stabilization.

Housing

Says D.C. should plan now for future population growth so the city has enough new housing to avoid pricing out existing families.

Transportation

Supports building bus and bike lanes. Says the obstacle is a lack of 'willpower to stand up for safer streets and better transit,' including in how DDOT directors are confirmed.

D.C. statehood

As a councilmember, attended the congressional hearing on D.C. statehood and called statehood one of her priorities in a council newsletter.

Background

• At-Large Member, Council of the District of Columbia, 2026–present (won June 16, 2026 special election; sworn in July 17, 2026)
• At-Large Member, Council of the District of Columbia, 2015–2023
• Chaired the Council Committee on Labor and Workforce Development
• Lost re-election in 2022 to Kenyan McDuffie
• Former reporter and budget analyst
• Independent since 2014; previously a Democrat
• Education: B.A., Brown University; attended University of Maryland, College Park

In the news

• The Election Isn't Over Yet Hill Rag, October 13, 2026
• Rank Elissa Silverman #1 for at-large in the 2026 DC general election Greater Greater Washington, October 1, 2026

Also running for At-Large Member of the Council of the District of Columbia

• Oye Owolewa Democratic
• Darryl Moch DC Statehood Green
• Darrell Green Republican

Sources

• DC Council – Councilmember Elissa Silverman
• DC Council – Silverman to be sworn in (July 15, 2026)
• Ballotpedia – Elissa Silverman
• Wikipedia – Elissa Silverman
• Street Sense voter guide part 2: D.C. Council
• Greater Greater Washington endorsement (Oct 1, 2026)
• Hill Rag – The Election Isn't Over Yet
• Silverman council newsletter on statehood
• 51st – Silverman wins the At-Large special election

Last researched October 23, 2026. Written in neutral language from the sources above. Spot an error? See how to report it.