Announcing 2024 Primary Candidate Endorsements
Three Candidates Align with DFER DC's Vision for Student Success
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Cesar Toledo, Cesar@dfer.org
Washington, DC (April 26, 2023) — Today, DFER DC announced its endorsement of three education reform champions on the June Democratic primary ballot who have demonstrated a commitment to prioritizing the pressing challenges facing the District’s students. After a thorough selection process that included in-depth interviews and comprehensive questionnaires, these candidates have shown alignment with the educational priorities requiring action, specifically, improving literacy and math outcomes, increasing student attendance, expanding pathways to college and high-wage careers, and protecting public school choice.
“Our vetting process ensures that endorsed education reform champions are both equipped to lead and committed to advocating for substantial and equitable changes in public education,” said Jessica Giles, executive director of Democrats for Education Reform DC. “We are excited to support these leaders who have demonstrated their resolve to center students at the core of their policy priorities. Each candidate brings a credible history of community leadership, trustworthy vision, and an actionable plan to address the gaps in our public education system.”
Councilmember Brooke Pinto for Ward 2 — Councilmember Pinto has centered student values and voices in her policy priorities since taking office and is steadfastly committed to removing barriers to education. After hearing high school students share challenges accessing menstrual products, she passed and funded legislation to ensure there are free menstrual products available in all of our schools for young women, girls, transgender, and gender non-conforming students. Upon learning the challenges students and residents face with reading, Councilmember Pinto passed and funded legislation to strengthen how reading is taught to students. With too many students feeling unsafe and missing school, Councilmember Pinto’s common-sense approach to policymaking and thoughtful leadership is needed now more than ever.
Veda Rasheed for DC Council, Ward 7 — In the 10-way race with many great candidates, Veda stands out for her demonstrated commitment to our student-centered values and inspiring history of community leadership. From organizing peace rallies to delivering food to seniors during the pandemic, and serving in the DC government, Veda is ready to lead Ward 7 residents on day one once elected. As an accomplished attorney and mother of two boys, Veda’s vision for education is a personal one that prioritizes student safety and makes critical investments in safe passage, school-based behavioral health, and evidence-based solutions to address the District’s academic crisis. As Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi once said, Veda’s “Our true VIP.”
U.S. Representative Dr. Adeoye “Oye” Owolewa— U.S. Representative Owolewa is a proud son of Nigerian immigrant parents, a healthcare provider, and one of the District’s lead champions for statehood. His commitment to students began in 2014 when he introduced the world of STEM to elementary students and later created a Youth Empowerment and Pathways Initiative to help guide our youth to professional careers. With the high stakes of this year’s presidential election and a promise by a former president to “federally takeover DC,” the need for champions like Representative Owolewa on the frontlines of the fight for statehood is urgent.
DFER DC supports leaders who are committed to innovative education reform. From the moment candidates decide to run through to their electoral victory, DFER DC and its partner organizations provide them with the resources, training, and expertise necessary for success.
DFER DC has a proven track record of shaping elected leadership in the District. Over one-third of the Democrats on the June Primary ballot vying for a seat on the DC Council have been trained in part by DFER DC, highlighting the organization's impact on the District’s political and education landscape. DFER DC has helped propel 24 candidates to run for local office and secured millions in funding for essential public education programs, benefitting all students across the District regardless of the public school they attend.
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About Democrats for Education Reform DC
Democrats for Education Reform DC (DFER DC) is the District’s leading political organization building a pipeline of Education Reform Champions who are committed to ensuring our public education system justly and equitably serves all students. Learn more at www.dferdc.org.
