Charles Allen: Why You Should Vote for Me

We asked candidates for the Ward 6 City Council seat to tell in 750 words or less why Hill residents should vote for them tomorrow (Tuesday).

Here is Democratic candidate Charles Allen’s unedited response:

Having served my Ward 6 neighbors in a variety of roles over the last decade, I am ready and excited to take on the challenge of representing your interests as the next Ward 6 member of the DC Council.

People choose to call Ward 6 home because our neighborhoods are an extension of our living rooms – with great schools we can walk to, parks to gather in, and local businesses that know us by name. These serve as anchors for our community and we must ensure that all residents see this vision realized.

But Ward 6 is more than a sum of its great places. The true spirit of Ward 6 lies with its people. Each person adds to the strength and diversity of our neighborhoods and I want to make sure that Ward 6 is a place we can always call home. For those like myself with young families, this means bringing great schools to all corners of the Ward. We’ve seen a transformation in our neighborhood elementary schools and I will bring the same energy and urgency to improve our middle and high school choices. For others, this means fighting for affordable family-based housing, and ensuring that we can successfully age in our homes. For everyone, this means a safe neighborhood with small businesses that support our lives. These will be my priorities.

Ward 6 has a great story to tell, but we also have new challenges to face. I’m a problem solver and reformer by nature, and I’m excited to take on this next role. I know I can bring people together to find common sense solutions because I’ve done it before – whether as Chief of Staff for our Ward 6 Councilmember Tommy Wells, as policy director for the DC Primary Care Association, or simply as your neighbor. I look forward to continuing to be a voice for progressive priorities and seeking solutions to the social justice issues facing our city.

I hope I can count on your support and I ask for your vote as we work together for a better Ward 6 and a better city.

Photo courtesy of Charles Allen