DC Council member Brooke Pinto (D-Ward 2) announced on October 6 that he was running for the non-voting DC delegation in the U.S. House of Representatives for the city’s city’s Democratic primary.
Pinto became the second council member to announce he is challenging longtime DC Dell, Eleanor Holmes Norton (D), who has held a seat in the council since 1991.
Norton, Pinto and White were long-standing supporters of the LGBTQ community. Norton has introduced the LGBTQ advocacy law, opposed the anti-LGBTQ law in the US since she first took office in a position that allows her to speak on the House floor and vote on committees, but not allow her to vote on bills and resolutions on the House floor.
Pinto and White competed to challenge Norton when many political observers and longtime Norton supporters questioned Norton’s ability to take office at the age of 88. Despite this, she says she plans to run for reelection.
Several of Norton’s past supporters, including longtime DC democratic activist Donna Brazil, say they need more energetic representation in their US homes at the time the city was attacked by Republican lawmakers.
Some local LGBTQ rights advocates have expressed concern that hostile members of Congress may, with the support of President Donald Trump, push for laws that cut down city comprehensive human rights laws that prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
“I am running for Congress to represent DC on Capitol Hill – to fight for our autonomy, fair economy, public safety, and for our families, and for our families,” Pinto said in a statement announcing her candidacy.
“Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton has been DC’s unparalleled champion for decades and I want to build on her incredible legacy that we all appreciate,” Pinto said. “I am keen to build a campaign and movement that will allow our enthusiastic and talented neighbors to become part of the future of our city, strong, fair and safe,” she said. “Let’s move our city forward. Let’s fight for DC!”
The Washington Post reports that seven other candidates submitted to Norton for a run, along with Pinto and White, including DC State Board of Education Chairman Jaquet Patterson and 3rd District Democrat Chairman Deirdre Brown. This post did not identify the other five candidates.
A spokesman for the U.S. Federal Election Commission, which holds a record of candidates running for seats in the US Congress, did not immediately respond to a Washington Blade request for a full list of candidates running for the DC Congressional delegation next year. According to a recorded message, the FEC office said it will be closed during federal closures.
Both Pinto and White have not been reelecting their respective council seats until 2028, so if they can’t win the election for the council’s seat, they can hold council seats.
Brookpinto’s Post announced that the bid for the DC Congressional seat first appeared in Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights and Gay News.
Source: Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, Gay News – www.washingtonblade.com
