Ward 8 voters seek better schools, increased housing, an improved economy in “critical” election

Better schools, increased housing, well-funded D.C. programming, improved infrastructure, increased public safety, lower crime levels, and universal free childcare are some of the central issues that D.C. residents are focused on during the 2026 election season.

Some residents say that this election marks a critical time in U.S. history, including Maya H., a D.C. resident and D.C. Health worker.

“I’m watching elections around the world, and we’re all kind of in crisis right now globally,” she said. She asked that only her last initial be shared for privacy reasons.

Maya H. said she hopes D.C.’s presumed next mayor, councilwoman Janeese Lewis George, invests more funding into local programming, schools, and infrastructure in the neighborhoods that need it most, like Anacostia.

She said that right now, a significant amount of money goes toward businesses and urban development, but it often prioritizes those who already have funding at their disposal.

Maya H. said she plans to vote in the elections this November and said that she encourages those in her sphere to vote as well.

“Just get informed. It only takes a minute. You have a phone in your hand. It’s that simple,” she said.

Melvin Holloway Sr., a Ward 8 resident of over 70 years, said that his main concern is the federal economy. Holloway said that he does not believe the economy will improve by the end of President Trump’s term.

“We still won’t be able to live comfortably. The prices won’t be able to go down,” Holloway said. Holloway added that when he went to the grocery story recently, he selected what he believed to be $50 worth of items. When he prepared to pay, the total came out to roughly $138.

“I don’t drive. I catch a bus. I know gas is high, and diesel is high. And my mortgage isn’t going down. It’s getting higher,” Holloway said.

Holloway said he hopes councilwoman Lewis George takes a strong stance as D.C.’s presumed next mayor and that she is not influenced by the Trump administration’s agenda.

Phillip Pannell, a Ward 8 resident of over 30 years, serves as both executive director of the Anacostia Coordinating Council as well as the national committeeman for the District of Columbia on the D.C. Democratic State Committee.

“I always care about D.C. statehood. At the local level, I care about crime, public safety, housing, economic development, and education,” said Pannell.

Pannell said that he supported councilwoman Lewis George’s campaign in his capacity as national committeeman for the DCDSC. He said that he especially hopes that Lewis George can accomplish her goal of bringing 72,000 new housing units to the district. He also said that he hopes Lewis George can put D.C. on the path to universal free childcare.

“It’s very clear that our democracy is under attack with Trump and his MAGA republicans,” Pannell said, “so it’s very important that we show up at the polls.”