At Bike, Walk & Bus PAC, our endorsements reflect a shared commitment to building a safer, more accessible, and more connected Washington, D.C. We are a community of residents who believe our transportation system should prioritize people, whether they are walking, biking, rolling, or taking public transit.
Our endorsement process is rooted in transparency, community input, and accountability. Candidates were invited to complete a detailed questionnaire outlining their positions on critical transportation issues, including street safety, transit investment, accessibility, and climate resilience. We also hosted public candidate forums and a community straw poll to ensure our members had a direct voice in this process.
The candidates endorsed below have demonstrated a strong commitment to advancing policies that reduce traffic violence, expand sustainable transportation options, and create a more equitable public realm for all District residents. We are proud to support their campaigns and will be mobilizing our members to help elect leaders who are ready to prioritize safe streets and people-centered infrastructure.
Mayor (Democratic Primary) - Janeese Lewis George
The Bike, Walk & Bus PAC is proud to endorse Janeese Lewis George for Mayor of the District of Columbia. Janeese has put forward one of the most comprehensive, people-first transportation visions in this race.
She supports bold steps to create safer, more walkable communities, including permanent pedestrianized corridors and targeted investments in high-visibility crossings, particularly in Wards 7 and 8. Janeese understands that true public safety includes safe streets, and has pledged to empower DDOT to prioritize buses, biking, and walking over vehicle throughput while standing firm against efforts to delay life-saving infrastructure.
Her vision is clear: a District where it is easy, safe, and joyful to get around without relying on a car. Bike, Walk & Bus PAC is confident that Janeese Lewis George will be a transformative, pro-transit mayor who centers people, not cars, in the future of Washington, D.C. - Jeremiah Lowery, Steering Committee
At-Large DC Council (Democratic Primary) - Adeoye “Oye” Owolewa and Candace Nelson
The Bike, Walk, and Bus PAC is proud to endorse both Candace Tiana Nelson and Oye Owolewa for the At-Large Democratic primary, as both candidates reflect our core priorities around safer, more equitable, and more reliable transportation in D.C.
Candace brings a strong commitment to strengthening our transit system through investments in buses, protected bike lanes, and pedestrian infrastructure, along with a willingness to rethink how street space is used, including reducing parking to make room for protected bike lanes.
Oye brings both the energy and lived experience of biking and using transit in D.C. He understands firsthand the need for safer, more connected infrastructure and has demonstrated a strong commitment to ensuring our systems are held accountable and work for the people who rely on them every day. We are confident that either candidate would help move forward a more accessible, multimodal transportation system that works for all DC residents. - Aliyah Erskine, Steering Committee
At-Large DC Council (Independent Special Election) - Elissa Silverman
The Bike, Walk, and Bus PAC is proud to endorse Elissa Silverman for the At-Large Independent Special Election. Elissa brings experience as a council member and an advocate of inclusive, equitable development for pedestrians, bikers, and bussers.
She supports expanded bus service for residents of Wards 7 and 8 and is committed to converting unprotected bike lanes into fully protected infrastructure. Elissa understands that safe streets are about equity and that every neighborhood deserves the freedom to get around without a car.
She has also demonstrated a steady, data-driven approach to community engagement that moves projects forward without leaving residents behind. The Bike, Walk, and Bus PAC is confident that Elissa Silverman will bring both the experience and the conviction to advance a transportation system that serves every Washingtonian. - Quindashya Slater, Steering Committee
Ward 1 DC Council (Democratic Primary) - Ranking: Aparna Raj (1st), Miguel Trindade Deramo (2nd), Rashida Brown (3rd)
The Bike, Walk & Bus PAC is grateful for having ranked-choice voting as an option in the Ward 1 Council primary, as it allows us to showcase three candidates that are worthy of a vote.
For this competitive race we proudly give our first-rank endorsement to Aparna Raj. In a crowded field, Aparna stands out in terms of in-depth knowledge of our PAC’s core issues regarding transit, micro-mobility, and overall accessibility for those who wish to keep Ward 1 and the District walkable. Her answers to our questionnaire were the most detailed (including footnotes with links to source material!), showing a command of the shortcomings of transit, bicycle/micro-mobility infrastructure, and pedestrian infrastructure within Ward 1 – and matching this knowledge with concrete agenda items to address these issues. Most importantly, her campaign shows an incredible amount of organization and energy – traits that are needed in a time when a new Councilmember will be tasked with interacting with a hostile Federal government from the get-go. Aparna is ready for the challenge, and we happily give her our first-rank endorsement.
As this is a ranked-choice primary our second-rank candidate is Miguel Trindade Deramo. Miguel is an everyday pedestrian, as well as a frequent user of a bicycle or transit. His policy positions on matters important to our PAC are spot-on (his response to our questionnaire was 7 thoughtfully written pages, deep in understanding of urbanist principles), and we commend his commitment to keeping our streets as shared public spaces, where street parking is not an absolute right. Miguel’s record as ANC Commissioner is also strong (especially in terms of addressing the needs of pedestrians and people using bicycles in Ward 1, especially in his single-member district), as is his role in helping bring ranked-choice voting to the District. We simply see his campaign as lacking the Ward-wide energy and organization to be as effective as is necessary from the start. That said: he deserves the second rank on your ballot.
Our third-rank candidate is Rashida Brown. Rashida’s bona fides as an ANC Commissioner are commendable, and her focus on making Metrobus more affordable and reliable is something we hope she continues to pursue, both for her Ward and the District, as a whole. Her support of the Crosstown Multimodal Plan is also something that speaks to this PAC’s priorities: a tangible piece of necessary infrastructure. She has also received the endorsement of the Ward 1 incumbent, Councilmember Brianne Nadeau. But in terms of the Bike, Walk & Bus PAC’s priorities, we feel she is not our ideal candidate in this race. Still, she deserves a rank on your ballot.
All three candidates are deserving of your vote – but Aparna Raj has earned a top ranking from our PAC. - Rudi Riet, Steering Committee
Ward 3 DC Council (Democratic Primary) - Matt Frumin
The Bike, Walk & Bus PAC is proud to endorse Ward 3 Councilmember Matt Frumin for re-election to the DC Council. Councilmember Frumin has consistently gone to the mat for all matters transit, bicycle/micro-mobility, and pedestrian in his Ward. In particular, his passionate defense of building a protected bicycle and micro-mobility lane on Connecticut Avenue was unwavering, even after the mayor and DDOT shelved the project when it was shovel ready. Councilmember Frumin often has to do battle with constituents who loudly proclaim their disdain for anything that doesn’t promote private motor vehicle use - and he handles such challenges with a steady hand and a delicate touch. That he is a regular bicycle commuter to and from his Wilson Building office adds to his bona fides.
We hope Councilmember Frumin continues in his quest to make both Ward 3 and the entire District less dependent on private motor vehicles. He promises to continue building out the often disjointed sidewalk and bike lane networks in his Ward, as well as using his position on the MWCOG Transit Planning Board to help fund both current and long-term WMATA projects, big and small, to develop a more resilient and usable bus and rail network for residents. He recognizes that there are challenges, both local and federal, to implementing ideal changes but if his record is any indication, we expect him to handle these impediments with a thoughtful and future-forward approach. The DC Walk, Bike & Bus PAC is confident that Councilmember Frumin will continue to show leadership in our core issues. - Rudi Riet, Steering Committee
Ward 5 DC Council (Democratic Primary) - Zachary Parker
The Bike, Walk & Bus PAC is proud to endorse Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker for re-election to the DC Council. Councilmember Parker has been a consistent advocate for street safety in Ward 5, fighting for improvements along major corridors like South Dakota and Michigan Avenues and co-introducing the STEER Act to hold reckless drivers accountable.
Parker supports dedicated bus lanes on high-ridership corridors and is committed to building a transportation system that is safe for everyone walking, biking, and riding transit. Bike, Walk & Bus PAC is confident that Zachary Parker will continue to deliver for Ward 5 residents and push D.C. toward streets that prioritize people over cars. - Quindashya Slater, Steering Committee
Ward 6 DC Council (Democratic Primary) - Charles Allen
The Bike, Walk & Bus PAC is proud to endorse Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen for re-election to the DC Council. Councilmember Allen has been a consistent and effective champion for safer, more equitable transportation, delivering real investments in sidewalks, protected bike lanes, and bus priority infrastructure.
From securing over $100 million for sidewalk improvements and expanding bike infrastructure, to leading efforts to fund fare-free bus service and accelerate bus priority projects, he has demonstrated both leadership and results.
Just as importantly, Councilmember Allen brings a thoughtful approach to community engagement, ensuring residents are heard while keeping safety and accessibility at the center of decision-making. Bike, Walk & Bus PAC is confident that Charles Allen will continue to lead on Vision Zero, multimodal access, and building a transportation system that works for every Washingtonian.- Jeremiah Lowery, Steering Committee. - Jeremiah Lowery, Steering Committee
Share our endorsements posts on social media: Facebook. Twitter. BlueSky. Instagram.