The 2018 Council of the District of Columbia election was held on November 6, 2018, to determine which party would control the Council of the District of Columbia for the following two years. Elections were held in four of the wards, two at-large seats and for the Chair of the Council of the District of Columbia. Prior to the election, 11 seats were held by Democrats and 2 seats were held by Independents. The general election saw no party flip any seats, thereby meaning that Democrats retained their majority on the council.[1]

Chairperson

Incumbent Phil Mendelson secured reelection. In the primary, Mendelson was challenged from the left by Ed Lazere, the longtime director of the DC Fiscal Policy Institute.[2]

Democratic primary

Candidates

Disqualified

2018 Council of the District of Columbia Democratic primary, Chair[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Phil Mendelson 48,848 63%
Democratic Ed Lazere 28,280 36.5%
Write-in 384 0.5%
Total votes 77,128 100.0

Libertarian primary

Candidates

  • Ethan Bishop-Henchman, business consultant[6]

General election

2018 Council of the District of Columbia general election, Chair[7]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Phil Mendelson 198,639 89.1%
Libertarian Ethan Bishop-Henchman 18,708 8.4%
Write-in 5,516 2.5%
Total votes 222,863 100.0

At-large

Incumbents Anita Bonds and Elissa Silverman successfully secured reelection.[8] In the Democratic primary, Bonds received two challenges from Jeremiah Lowery and Marcus Goodwin, respectively.[9] Although Silverman, an independent, does not run in a primary, pundits viewed Dionne Reeder's candidacy as a challenge to the progressive incumbent. Business groups initially backed S. Kathryn Allen, a real estate attorney, to challenge Silverman, before she was nixed from the ballot by the District of Columbia Board of Elections.[10] These groups, along with incumbent mayor Muriel Bowser, transferred their support to Reeder.[11] In November, Silverman dislodged the challenge from the moderate Reeder.[8]

Democratic primary

Candidates

  • Anita Bonds, incumbent at-large councilmember (2012–present)[3]
  • Marcus Goodwin, real estate developer[12]
  • Jeremiah Lowery, activist and organizer[9]

Disqualified

  • Aaron Holmes, communications professional and candidate for Ward 8 councilmember in 2016[13]

Endorsements

Anita Bonds

Local figures

Labor unions

  • Washington Teachers' Union[14]
Marcus Goodwin

Newspapers

2018 Council of the District of Columbia Democratic primary, At-large district[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Anita Bonds 39,351 52.46%
Democratic Jeremiah Lowery 17,688 23.58%
Democratic Marcus Goodwin 419 23.22%
Write-in 552 0.74%
Total votes 75,010 100.0

Independents

Candidates

  • Elissa Silverman, incumbent at-large councilmember (2015–present)[3]
  • Rustin Lewis, non-profit executive and educator[19]
  • Dionne Reeder, restauranteur[11]

Disqualified

  • S. Kathryn Allen, real estate attorney[10]

Declined

Endorsements

Elissa Silverman

Local figures

Organizations

Labor unions

Dionne Reeder

Political figures

Newspapers

Labor unions

Individuals

  • Cora Masters Barry, widow of former mayor and Ward 8 councilmember Marion Barry[21]
At-large district election, 2018
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Anita Bonds (incumbent) 152,460 44.55%
Independent Elissa Silverman (incumbent) 90,589 26.47%
Independent Dionne Reeder 49,132 14.36%
DC Statehood Green David Schwartzman 26,006 7.60%
Republican Ralph J. Chittams Sr. 12,629 3.69%
Independent Rustin M. Lewis 8,463 2.47%
Scattering 2,909 0.85%
Total votes 342,188 100.0%
Democratic hold
Independent hold

Ward 1

Incumbent Brianne Nadeau secured a second term on the Council. In 2014, Nadeau had unseated longtime councilmember Jim Graham, riding a flurry of corruption scandals that tarnished Graham's reputation.[22] In her bid for reelection, Nadeau, a progressive, faced librarian and ANC commissioner Kent Boese, real estate consultant Sheika Reid, and former magistrate judge Lori Parker in the Democratic primary.[23] In the general election, she defeated independent Jamie Sycamore, an ASL interpreter who raised concerns about Nadeau's constituent services operation in comparison to that of Jim Graham.[24]

Democratic primary

Candidates

2018 Council of the District of Columbia election, Ward 1 Democratic primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Brianne Nadeau (incumbent) 5,537 48.28%
Democratic Kent Boese 2,876 25.08%
Democratic Sheika Reid 1,533 13.37%
Democratic Lori Parker 1,485 12.95%
Write-in 37 0.32%
Total votes 11,468 100.0%
Democratic hold

Independents

Candidates

  • Jamie Sycamore, sign language interpreter[14]

Withdrawn

Ward 1 election, 2018
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Brianne Nadeau (incumbent) 23,283 78.23%
Independent Jamie Sycamore 6,230 20.93%
Scattering 248 0.84%
Total votes 29,761 100.0%
Democratic hold

Ward 3

Incumbent Mary Cheh sought a fourth term representing Ward 3, the council distract that primarily covers the upper half of the Northwest quadrant. Cheh was unopposed in the Democratic primary and faced attorney and former mayoral aide Petar Dimtchev in the general election.[26]

Democratic primary

Candidates

2018 Council of the District of Columbia election, Ward 3 Democratic primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Mary Cheh (incumbent) 10,011 94.95%
Write-in 532 5.05%
Total votes 31,604 100.0%

Independents

Candidates

Ward 3 election, 2018
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Mary Cheh (incumbent) 23,443 74.18%
Independent Petar A. Dimtchev 7,946 25.14%
Scattering 215 0.68%
Total votes 31,604 100.0%
Democratic hold

Ward 5

Kenyan McDuffie sought a second full term representing Ward 5. McDuffie, fresh off a failed recall effort that never reached the ballot, bested five fellow Democrats in the primary.[29] McDuffie secured a second term in the November general election.

Democratic primary

Candidates

  • Gayle Hall Carley, ANC commissioner from 5B02[30]
  • Kenyan McDuffie, incumbent councilmember (2012–present)[30]
  • Nestor Djonkam, businessman and perennial candidate[31]
  • Bradley Thomas, chair of ANC 5E[31]
  • LaMonica Jeffrey, community activist[31]
2018 Council of the District of Columbia election, Ward 5 Democratic primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Kenyan McDuffie (incumbent) 7,737 66.08%
Democratic Gayle Hall Carley 1,668 14.25%
Democratic Bradley Thomas 1,373 11.73%
Democratic LaMonica Jeffrey 314 2.68%
Democratic Nestor Djonkam 55 0.47%
Democratic Write-in 563 4.81%
Total votes 11,710 100.0%

Independents

Candidates

  • Amone Banks, federal employee[28]
  • Kathy Henderson, ANC commissioner from 5D06[28]

DC Statehood Green primary

Candidates

  • Joyce Robinson-Paul, community activist
2018 Council of the District of Columbia Ward 5 Statehood Green primary
Party Candidate Votes %
DC Statehood Green Joyce Robinson-Paul 36 76.6%
DC Statehood Green Write-in 11 23.4
Total votes 47 100%

General election

Ward 5 General Election, 2018
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Kenyan McDuffie (incumbent) 23,745 79.28%
Independent Kathy Henderson 2,523 8.42%
DC Statehood Green Joyce Robinson-Paul 2,085 6.96%
Independent Amone Banks 1,085 3.62%
Independent Scattering 513 1.71%
Total votes 29,951 100.0%
Democratic hold

Ward 6

Charles Allen sought a second full term representing Ward 6. Allen faced a primary challenge from Democrat Lisa Hunter.[32] Allen secured a second term in the November general election.

Democratic primary

Candidates

2018 Council of the District of Columbia election, Ward 6 Democratic primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Charles Allen (incumbent) 9,802 67.98%
Democratic Lisa Hunter 4,569 31.69%
Democratic Write-in 47 0.33%
Total votes 14,418 100.0%

Republican primary

Candidates

Ward 6 election, 2018
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Charles Allen (incumbent) 35,780 88.30%
Republican Michael Bekesha 4,298 10.61%
Scattering 442 1.09%
Total votes 40,520 100.0%
Democratic hold

References

  1. ↑ "General Election 2018 - Certified Results". electionresults.dcboe.org. Retrieved December 15, 2025.
  2. ↑ "DCision 2018: Your Primary Voting Guide". DCist. Retrieved 2026-05-24.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Cohen, Matt (2018-02-07). "Anita Bonds is a No-Show and Perennial Candidate Calvin Gurley Crashes First Council Candidate Forum". Washington City Paper. Retrieved 2026-05-24.
  4. ↑ Rodeffer, Mark. "Mendelson vs. Lazere: DC's marquee political contest". ggwash.org. Retrieved 2026-05-24.
  5. 1 2 "DCBOE Primary Election 2018 Election Results". July 9, 2018. Archived from the original on April 2, 2026. Retrieved May 30, 2026.
  6. ↑ Kurzius, Rachel. "Meet The Henchmans, The Married Libertarian Couple Running For D.C. Attorney General And Council Chairman". DCist. Retrieved 2026-05-24.
  7. ↑ "General Election 2024 - Certified Results". District of Columbia Board of Elections. Retrieved 26 March 2025.
  8. 1 2 Delgadillo, Natalie. "Silverman Holds On To D.C. At-Large Seat In Strong Night For Incumbents". WAMU. Retrieved 2026-05-24.
  9. 1 2 Sadon, Rachel. "Progressive Activist Jeremiah Lowery Joins At-Large Race". DCist. Retrieved 2026-05-24.
  10. 1 2 Austermuhle, Martin. "Silverman Says Challenger's Nominating Petitions 'Rife With Fraud,' Asks D.C. Board To Keep Her Off Of Ballot". WAMU. Retrieved 2026-05-24.
  11. 1 2 3 Kurzius, Rachel. "Mayor Bowser Snubs Elissa Silverman, Supports Dionne Reeder In At-Large Race". DCist. Retrieved 2026-05-24.
  12. ↑ Giambrone, Andrew (2018-01-04). "Meet Marcus Goodwin, the Real Estate Professional Running for D.C. Council". Washington City Paper. Retrieved 2026-05-24.
  13. ↑ Dupuy, Andrew. "Two (formerly three) newcomers mount strong challenges to Anita Bonds". ggwash.org. Retrieved 2026-05-24.
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 "An overview of endorsements in the DC Council races". TheDCLine.org. 2018-11-05. Retrieved 2026-05-30.
  15. ↑ "GGWash's endorsements in DC's 2018 primary". ggwash.org. Retrieved 2026-05-30.
  16. ↑ "Past Endorsements". jufjcampaignfund.org. Retrieved 2026-05-30.
  17. 1 2 3 Giambrone, Andrew (2018-05-12). "D.C. Council Candidate Denies Accusations of Trashing Competitor's Campaign Signs". Washington City Paper. Retrieved 2026-05-30.
  18. ↑ "Opinion | Muriel Bowser for D.C. mayor — and our endorsements for the D.C. Council". The Washington Post. 2018-06-01. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2026-05-30.
  19. ↑ AFRO, Special to the (2018-06-01). "Newcomer Lewis Seeks Council Seat with Positive Message". AFRO American Newspapers. Retrieved 2026-05-24.
  20. 1 2 Cohen, Matt (2017-12-28). "The Year in Local Politics". Washington City Paper. Retrieved 2026-06-04.
  21. 1 2 3 "Dionne Reeder: An Advocate for Access". The Washington Informer. 2018-10-10. Retrieved 2026-05-30.
  22. ↑ Fischer, Jonathan L. (2014-04-02). "In Ward 1, Brianne Nadeau Boots Jim Graham From D.C. Council". Washington City Paper. Retrieved 2026-05-29.
  23. 1 2 3 4 Chason, Rachel (2017-09-18). "Sheika Reid joins race for Ward 1 D.C. Council seat". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2026-05-29.
  24. ↑ "Democratic incumbents face independent, GOP challengers for four ward seats on Nov. 6 ballot". TheDCLine.org. 2018-11-02. Retrieved 2026-05-29.
  25. ↑ Hopkins, Tatyana (2017-07-12). "Lori Parker Promises 'Ward 1 for All' in Council Run". The Washington Informer. Retrieved 2026-05-29.
  26. ↑ "Opinion | The Post's endorsements for D.C. Council". The Washington Post. 2018-10-19. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2026-05-30.
  27. ↑ Nirappil, Fenit (2018-08-09). "With filing deadline passed, Bowser cruising to second term as D.C. mayor". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2026-05-30.
  28. 1 2 3 "Democratic incumbents face independent, GOP challengers for four ward seats on Nov. 6 ballot". TheDCLine.org. 2018-11-02. Retrieved 2026-05-30.
  29. ↑ "McDuffie May Face Recall Effort in Ward 5". AFRO American Newspapers. 2016-07-14. Retrieved 2026-05-30.
  30. 1 2 Hopkins, Tatyana (2017-11-21). "McDuffie Gets Big Support for Re-Election". The Washington Informer. Retrieved 2026-05-30.
  31. 1 2 3 "Our endorsement for DC Council in Ward 5: Kenyan McDuffie". ggwash.org. Retrieved 2026-05-30.
  32. 1 2 Chason, Rachel (2017-11-15). "Ward 6 council member Charles Allen faces two challengers". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2026-06-01.
  33. ↑ Dil, Cuneyt (2018-06-18). "Combative rhetoric marks challenge to Ward 6 incumbent". TheDCLine.org. Retrieved 2026-06-01.
  34. ↑ Lightman, Andrew (2026-05-29). "Lisa Hunter: Challenging the Status Quo | HillRag". Retrieved 2026-06-01.
source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018_Council_of_the_District_of_Columbia_election