Resources for the 2026 primary: Ward 3 voter information aggregator and tenant leaders’ questions for the mayoral candidates

If you are registered to vote in the District as a Democrat, the number of candidates on the June 16 primary election ballot might seem daunting.

And ranked-choice voting might require a little more homework should you wish to rank more than one candidate, particularly in the mayoral, delegate and at-large council member races.

But several DC voter guides aim to help. Some are produced by local news organizations. Others come from advocacy groups.

And there’s one, new this year, focused on the races in Ward 3. Ward3Vote.com also lists candidate forums and posts links to recordings and endorsements as they come available.

Also new from Ward 3 residents: a mayoral candidates questionnaire focused on issues facing renters and apartment buildings, plus everyone who lives, works or goes to school nearby. Apartments account for 41% of the housing units in the District. But in this ward, apartments make up a bit over 60% of the housing stock, and their problems can and do spill out into their neighborhoods.

Here’s what local tenant leaders learned.

Rental Housing Questionnaire for DC Mayoral Candidates

The questionnaire below on rental housing was sent to all DC mayor candidates. They were given five days to answer the questions based on the instructions below.

Only two candidates responded to the questionnaire – Janeese Lewis George and Gary Goodweather. Their answers to YES/NO questions appear below. They also gave longer answers to some of the questions. Keep scrolling or click here to see those, too. Prefer a printable version? Click here.

Please answer each question YES or NO. You may provide additional explanation, but only responses that clearly indicate YES or NO will be included in the answers released to the public.

1. HOUSING CODE VIOLATIONS: The District of Columbia currently forgives fines for housing code violations – even hundreds of violations in a single building – if the landlord corrects the violations within a certain period. If elected, would you continue this practice of forgiving fines? (YES/NO)
   

   Janeese Lewis George	Gary Goodweather	Other candidates
   NO	YES	NO ANSWER

2. ELEVATORS: Some apartment buildings have chronically broken elevators. The DC Department of Buildings considers a building in compliance if at least one elevator is functioning– even when there are multiple elevators in the building. If elected, will you strengthen housing code enforcement to require reliable operation of all elevators in multi-elevator buildings? (YES/NO)
   

   Janeese Lewis George	Gary Goodweather	Other candidates
   YES	YES	NO ANSWER

3. AIR CONDITIONING: Under DC law, many buildings with air conditioning must provide it by May 15; older buildings with “two-pipe systems” must provide air conditioning by June 1. If elected, would you advocate for changing the law, so the deadline for all buildings is May 1? (YES/NO)
   

   Janeese Lewis George	Gary Goodweather	Other candidates
   YES	YES	NO ANSWER

4. SECOND-HAND SMOKE: Some rental housing providers advertise buildings as non-smoking but fail to consistently enforce those policies. In buildings with poor ventilation, some residents are frequently exposed to second-hand nicotine and marijuana smoke. If elected, would you require landlords that advertise their properties as non-smoking to protect DC residents from second-hand smoke? (YES/NO)
   

   Janeese Lewis George	Gary Goodweather	Other candidates
   YES	YES	NO ANSWER

5. ILLEGAL DRUGS:  In recent years, some drug dealers have taken up residence or established distribution networks in apartment buildings. If elected, would you instruct MPD to aggressively root out those networks, and remove those who distribute illegal drugs in apartment buildings? (YES/NO)
   

   Janeese Lewis George	Gary Goodweather	Other candidates
   YES	YES	NO ANSWER

6. SECURITY:  In recent years, some apartment buildings have seen sharp increases in crime — but the owners of those buildings have not significantly increased security to protect residents. In some cases, MPD has requested that the DC Attorney General consider prosecuting the building owners under the Nuisance Abatement Act. If elected, would you take concrete steps to ensure that building owners provide adequate security to meet the challenge of rising crime? (YES/NO)
   

   Janeese Lewis George	Gary Goodweather	Other candidates
   YES	NO	NO ANSWER

7. RENT INCREASES: Under the DC rent stabilization law, annual rent increases in older buildings are limited to inflation plus 2% for most renters (inflation only for those 62+). Predictable rent increases have enabled many DC residents to afford apartments and have allowed many seniors to age in place. Some have argued that only those with very low incomes should be eligible. Do you agree? (YES/NO)
   

   Janeese Lewis George	Gary Goodweather	Other candidates
   NO	NO	NO ANSWER

8. TRANSPARENCY: A 2015 law requires that the city publish a publicly accessible database of rents paid for apartments. The city released a database last year, but it contains little data. If elected, would you expedite the publication of a comprehensive, publicly accessible database of rents? (YES/NO)
   

   Janeese Lewis George	Gary Goodweather	Other candidates
   YES	YES	NO ANSWER

9. PROTECTING RENT STABILIZATION: Under current law, landlords can charge subsidized tenants rents that substantially exceed the maximum under rent stabilization. This results in a smaller supply of modestly priced apartments for renters who pay out of pocket. If elected, would you sign legislation limiting voucher-supported rents to the maximum allowed under rent stabilization? (YES/NO)
   

   Janeese Lewis George	Gary Goodweather	Other candidates
   YES	YES	NO ANSWER

10. FAIRNESS: Housing vouchers enable recipients to lease apartments that are much more expensive than average (median) units in the city. If elected, would you support limits to prevent voucher payments from substantially exceeding typical rents? (YES/NO)
    

    Janeese Lewis George	Gary Goodweather	Other candidates
    YES	YES	NO ANSWER

11. HOMELESSNESS: The Bowser administration has addressed homelessness primarily by housing those who are unhoused in residential apartment buildings. If elected, would you continue this approach to homelessness? (YES/NO)
    

    Janeese Lewis George	Gary Goodweather	Other candidates
    YES	NO	NO ANSWER

12. CONCENTRATING POVERTY: In some apartment buildings, the percentage of units occupied by those who have experienced or been at risk of homelessness exceeds 50%. If elected, would you limit the percentage of units in a residential apartment building for this use? (YES/NO)
    

    Janeese Lewis George	Gary Goodweather	Other candidates
    YES	YES	NO ANSWER

13. CONVERSIONS: The city currently offers tax and other financial incentives to owners of rental housing that convert their residential apartment buildings into income-restricted housing. If elected, would you continue incentives for such conversions? (YES/NO)
    

    Janeese Lewis George	Gary Goodweather	Other candidates
    YES	YES	NO ANSWER

14. SAFETY: Do you support strengthening and expediting legal processes to remove tenants who pose a documented safety risk to others, regardless of their source of income? (YES/NO)

Janeese Lewis George	Gary Goodweather	Other candidates
YES	YES	NO ANSWER

LONG ANSWERS

Candidates were permitted, but not required, to provide longer answers to questions.

1. HOUSING CODE VIOLATIONS: The District of Columbia currently forgives fines for housing code violations – even hundreds of violations in a single building – if the landlord corrects the violations within a certain period. If elected, would you continue this practice of forgiving fines? (YES/NO)

Janeese Lewis George: NO

As mayor, I won’t encourage housing violations. Of course, tenants need to pay their rent, but landlords must also be responsive. That means providing safe, dignified housing and complying with our housing code. When they don’t, they should be held accountable. 

Gary Goodweather: YES

Imposing fines on owners who make good faith efforts to complete repairs in a timely manner can unintentionally add to the affordability challenges facing both housing providers and tenants. Those additional costs ultimately affect renters as well.

A more effective approach is to provide clear code requirements, simple and responsive reporting systems for tenants, and support a reliable network of qualified service providers who assist with repairs and preventive maintenance before issues become larger problems.

2. ELEVATORS: Some apartment buildings have chronically broken elevators. The DC Department of Buildings considers a building in compliance if at least one elevator is functioning– even when there are multiple elevators in the building. If elected, will you strengthen housing code enforcement to require reliable operation of all elevators in multi-elevator buildings? (YES/NO)

Janeese Lewis George: YES

Tenants deserve to be able to access their homes conveniently. For some the extra steps might be a welcome form of exercise but for many mobility and other limitations mean traveling the extra distance is a hardship. I would like the Department of Buildings to improve the accessibility requirements of buildings and enforce DOB regulations. Additionally, the Department of Buildings does not collect on fines levied on buildings. This will change under my administration.

Gary Goodweather: YES

Elevator operation is a quality-of-life issue. Tenants should have the ability to quickly and safely use vertical lift systems. The city will work with property owners and managers to acquire equipment for the proper function of elevators and lifts. The city will also work with service providers to have a trained workforce that is available for repair and maintenance. Local business owners will receive training in conjunction with trade and union organizations to develop the workforce to install and service elevators and lifts.

3. AIR CONDITIONING: Under DC law, many buildings with air conditioning must provide it by May 15; older buildings with “two-pipe systems” must provide air conditioning by June 1. If elected, would you advocate for changing the law, so the deadline for all buildings is May 1? (YES/NO)

Janeese Lewis George: YES

This is a big problem that creates discomfort and also danger. Climate change is making the weather more extreme and unpredictable. There will inevitably be times in May when temperatures inside apartment complexes will exceed 78 degrees, sometimes by so much that it puts tenants’ health and well-being at risk. As mayor, I will work with Council to protect residents from climate-related discomfort and danger, including improving the AC requirements to begin earlier in the year. 

Gary Goodweather: YES

The city will also incentivize building owners to make upgrades to install newer energy efficient systems that also reduce the cost to operate. Potential solutions in two-pipe buildings including installing a new central plant or installation of minisplit systems to provide more unit specific control over their environment.

4. SECOND-HAND SMOKE: Some rental housing providers advertise buildings as nonsmoking but fail to consistently enforce those policies. In buildings with poor ventilation, some residents are frequently exposed to second-hand nicotine and marijuana smoke. If elected, would you require landlords that advertise their properties as non-smoking to protect DC residents from second-hand smoke? (YES/NO)

Janeese Lewis George: YES

When air quality is compromised it is a public health concern. If a building has represented that it is smoke-free, people should be able to trust that commitment. I will support (and sign legislation) that requires landlords to enforce non-smoking rules in their buildings. 

Gary Goodweather: YES

5. ILLEGAL DRUGS: In recent years, some drug dealers have taken up residence or established distribution networks in apartment buildings. If elected, would you instruct MPD to aggressively root out those networks, and remove those who distribute illegal drugs in apartment buildings? (YES/NO)

Janeese Lewis George: YES

Everyone deserves a safe and dignified place to live. Illegal activity negatively impacts the people involved but also their neighbors. A key pillar of my public safety platform is Accountability. I will hold bad actors accountable and direct MPD to root out drug dealing and criminal activity in apartment buildings. 

Gary Goodweather: YES

Every tenant needs to play by the same rules. I will instruct MPD to aggressively seek out illegal and criminal activity. I will have council draft and I will sign legislation to ensure drug dealers will be evicted from buildings. Drug dealers will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. All tenants should have a safe place to live.

6. SECURITY: In recent years, some apartment buildings have seen sharp increases in crime — but the owners of those buildings have not significantly increased security to protect residents. In some cases, MPD has requested that the DC Attorney General consider prosecuting the building owners under the Nuisance Abatement Act. If elected, would you take concrete steps to ensure that building owners provide adequate security to meet the challenge of rising crime? (YES/NO)

Janeese Lewis George: YES

Landlords are required to provide healthy and safe accommodations. Safe accommodations include appropriate security provisions. I will continue to work closely with the Office of the Attorney General to make sure every Washingtonian is safe. 

Gary Goodweather: NO

Safety is the city’s responsibility. City leaders should be held accountable to reduce crime and protect the public. Pushing the costs of additional security on the property owner further exacerbates the affordability crisis and does not address the issues causing crime. It is my job as mayor to create a city that is safe by working with MPD, the Attorney General and by addressing the underlying issues crime is rising.

7. RENT INCREASES: Under the DC rent stabilization law, annual rent increases in older buildings are limited to inflation plus 2% for most renters (inflation only for those 62+). Predictable rent increases have enabled many DC residents to afford apartments and have allowed many seniors to age in place. Some have argued that only those with very low incomes should be eligible. Do you agree? (YES/NO)

Janeese Lewis George: NO

I believe in modernizing rent stabilization, so tenants have predictable housing costs and housing providers have predictability too. If we try to means test rent stabilization, it will create many loopholes, administrative cost and complexity, unintended consequences, and perverse incentives.

Gary Goodweather: NO

If rent stabilization is in effect, it should apply to all. Part of a proposed solution is to provide fixed long term rent increases on base rent, with direct passthrough for reimbursable operating expenses.

8. TRANSPARENCY: A 2015 law requires that the city publish a publicly accessible database of rents paid for apartments. The city released a database last year, but it contains little data. If elected, would you expedite the publication of a comprehensive, publicly accessible database of rents? (YES/NO)

Janeese Lewis George: YES

Transparency is key to addressing issues with DCHA overpayments for vouchers. As mayor, I will address an apathetic government housing ecosystem by bringing much needed transparency. Of course, we will balance it with privacy protections required by law. 

Gary Goodweather: YES

A publicly accessible database displaying rents paid can be a good tool for tenants to understand the market. However, tenants should have the right to “opt-out” of their published rent to protect their privacy.

9. PROTECTING RENT STABILIZATION: Under current law, landlords can charge subsidized tenants rents that substantially exceed the maximum under rent stabilization. This results in a smaller supply of modestly priced apartments for renters who pay out of pocket. If elected, would you sign legislation limiting voucher-supported rents to the maximum allowed under rent stabilization? (YES/NO)

Janeese Lewis George: YES

Councilmember Frumin and I cosponsored the Rent Stabilization Protection Act to address this concern. The bill is currently stuck in committee and has not been voted on. When I am mayor, I will push for this bill to be brought to a vote and passed. 

Gary Goodweather: YES

All tenants should have access to the same market factors and concessions. Landlords should only be allowed to receive the rent stabilized amount. Voucher holders paying more than allowed rent makes market rent more expensive and costs the city and taxpayers more.

10. FAIRNESS: Housing vouchers enable recipients to lease apartments that are much more expensive than average (median) units in the city. If elected, would you support limits to prevent voucher payments from substantially exceeding typical rents? (YES/NO)

Janeese Lewis George: YES

We should carefully review the current economics because it seems they are overpriced which means fewer people are helped but also that landlords have an incentive to kick out other renters. Vouchers can’t be too low because then landlords will try to avoid voucher-using tenants. We have to get the balance right and I don’t think we have. 

Gary Goodweather: YES

All tenants should have access to the same market factors and concessions. Landlords should only be allowed to receive the rent stabilized amount. Voucher holders paying more than allowed rent makes market rent more expensive and costs the city and taxpayers more.

11. HOMELESSNESS: The Bowser administration has addressed homelessness primarily by housing those who are unhoused in residential apartment buildings. If elected, would you continue this approach to homelessness? (YES/NO)

Janeese Lewis George: YES

I believe that we need to end homelessness through housing availability and a Housing First policy. But for Housing First to work well for all, it must be paired with quality services. Mixed income communities are good, but we need them to be properly balanced for everyone to thrive. Many buildings have gotten unbalanced under our current system.

We also need many other approaches too such as permanent supportive housing and also my work to dramatically increase the supply of affordable housing will mean many people avoid homelessness in the first place. Housing affordability and adequacy have been shown to massively reduce homelessness in a community. 

Gary Goodweather: NO

The current approach does not provide for the additional services often needed for the homeless population in a supportive environment. The city will address the homelessness by providing housing environments with wrap around services providing access to food, mental health professionals and other services to put them on a fruitful path.

12. CONCENTRATING POVERTY: In some apartment buildings, the percentage of units occupied by those who have experienced or been at risk of homelessness exceeds 50%. If elected, would you limit the percentage of units in a residential apartment building for this use? (YES/NO)

Janeese Lewis George: YES

If a building gets out of balance it can be bad for everyone (voucher holders and market-rate payers alike). HUD rules typically require a building to have no more than 25% of units being paid via voucher–many of these folks have recently experienced homeless. These rules often don’t apply to specific buildings but it’s a good guideline. We also must provide appropriate wrap-around services.

Gary Goodweather: YES

Providing housing that effectively creates a homeless shelter adversely affects other residents, especially without the additional services someone that is previously homeless needs. Every tenant deserves to live in a safe, high-quality environment. One tenant or multiple tenants that hurt others’ quality of life is not productive for anyone.

13. CONVERSIONS: The city currently offers tax and other financial incentives to owners of rental housing that convert their residential apartment buildings into income-restricted housing. If elected, would you continue incentives for such conversions? (YES/NO)

Janeese Lewis George: YES

Gary Goodweather: YES

Providing incentives for creating income-restricted housing needs to be evaluated very carefully. The questions always need to be asked 1) income-restricted for who and at what levels and 2) Is it sustainable?

14. SAFETY: Do you support strengthening and expediting legal processes to remove tenants who pose a documented safety risk to others, regardless of their source of income? (YES/NO)

Janeese Lewis George: YES

Gary Goodweather: YES

A tenant that is a safety risk to others needs to be removed quickly.