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DC Latino Caucus Announces 2024 Primary Election Endorsements
The DC Latino Caucus (DCLC) today announced the candidates the organization has endorsed for the June 4, 2024, Democratic Primary election.
Democratic candidates with at least 51% of Caucus member votes earned endorsement
Washington, DC — March 11, 2024 — The DC Latino Caucus (DCLC) today announced the candidates the organization has endorsed for the June 4, 2024, Democratic Primary election.
At-Large Councilmember: Robert White (75.47% of votes cast)
Ward 4 Councilmember: Janeese Lewis George (66.67% of votes cast)
Ward 8 Councilmember: Salim Adofo (56.82% of votes cast)
Shadow Senator: Franklin Garcia (53.06% of votes cast)
Shadow Representative: Oye Owolewa (90.91% of votes cast)
Delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives: Eleanor Holmes Norton (58.82% of votes cast)
DCLC declined to endorse candidates in the following race due to none of the candidates earning 51% or more of member votes:
Ward 7 Councilmember: No Endorsement*
*Indicates a race that went to a second, runoff vote.
The Endorsement Process
Endorsement required 51% or more of Caucus member votes. If no candidate in a race earned 51%, a second runoff election was held between the top two candidates in the first round to see whether either candidate earned 51%.
Candidates for elected office were invited to submit a DC Latino Caucus issues questionnaire. The Caucus then hosted their 2024 Candidate Forum on Wednesday, March 6, at the Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School, Sonia Gutierrez Campus. Video of the proceedings is available on the organization’s YouTube channel.
Members of the public that joined or renewed their Caucus membership between January 1 – February 6, 2024, were eligible to vote for their preferred candidates using the ElectionBuddy online voting platform. Voting took place from March 7 - 9, 2024. Election results were certified on Sunday, March 10, 2024, by a committee of board members including the Caucus President and a representative of DC Democratic State Committee.
Full results of the votes are posted here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1FfZfa1nQL8169csKrz-Nc78q5Js8oOxO/edit#gid=198214155
We want to thank all of the candidates who participated in our endorsement process and candidate forum. We are grateful for your public service.
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ABOUT THE DC LATINO CAUCUS
Established in 2005, the DC Latino Caucus is the preeminent voice for the Latino community within the Democratic party and local government. Run by an all-volunteer board, the organization’s primary objectives are to ensure the political representation and participation of the Latino community in the government and civic affairs of the DC metropolitan area. The DC Latino Caucus is an official affiliate organization of the District of Columbia Democratic Party (District of Columbia Democratic State Committee). For more information visit www.dclatinocaucus.org.
DC Latino Caucus Supports Councilmembers Charles Allen and Brianne Nadeau Against Recalls; Urges Residents to #DeclineToSign Petitions; Calls on DC Democratic Party to Respond To GOP Influence
Washington, D.C. (February 23, 2024) – The DC Latino Caucus, an affiliate of the DC Democratic Party, supports longtime public servants and elected Democratic Councilmembers Charles Allen and Brianne Nadeau against recent efforts launched to recall them in response to the increase in violent city crime. We urge citizens in Wards 1 and 6 to reject these recall measures. We also call on our colleagues at the DC Democratic Party to carefully craft an appropriate response that balances the promotion of democracy and the protection of our home rule against Republican and outside interference.
The leadership and members of our organization are as frustrated as everyone else with the clear increase in violent crime impacting our city—and we also demand solutions. Indeed, Latinos, immigrants, and other Brown and Black communities are most often the victims of such crimes, whether that be in our homes, underinvested neighborhoods, construction work sites, small businesses, and elsewhere. But we also think that the best approach is to take a careful look at the true causes of the current crime surge in our city, rather than acting out of anger to recall public officials with longstanding records of ethical and dedicated public service. Councilmembers Allen and Nadeau, and the rest of the Council, have done their imperfect best in attempting to balance the urgent needs for public safety in our city with the desire to ensure the equitable policing of our communities.
Councilmembers Allen and Nadeau did not “defund the police.”
Despite the claims about “defunding the police,” the DC Council (including Allen and Nadeau) has consistently approved a budget of over half a billion dollars every year for the last several years.(1) That includes 2020, when a one-time budget reduction of $15 million was diverted to otherwise unfunded victim and social services. Yet in that year, which is the source of fury among recall advocates, an infusion of federal money increased the total MPD budget to $621 million! (1)
A $500+ million police budget places Washington DC as #1 in spending per capita ($1337 in FY20) on police and corrections among all states in the country.(2)
We can debate in good faith whether the police budget should be increased, but to say that it has been slashed by Allen and Nadeau, or the rest of the Council, is simply and factually wrong.
Allen and Nadeau support immediate crime deterrence measures.
Allen and Nadeau support Council efforts to increase deterrence, punish crime, and keep dangerous criminals off our streets. They both support the SECURE DC Act pending before the Council, which:
· Increases the authority of judges to impose pretrial detention on suspects believed to have committed a violent crime;
· Allows creation of drug-free zones to disrupt drug-related hot spots;
· Creates new felonies for committing violent crimes with firearms; and
· Expands the definitions of carjacking and retail theft to account for what we are seeing in the District. (3)
Other crime control measures they have supported include:
· $25,000 signing bonuses for new officers to expand our police force;
· Banning “ghost guns”;
· Increasing penalties for automatic weapons; and
· “Red flag” laws to remove guns from potentially dangerous individuals.
Solving the crime problem requires a “whole of government” approach that Allen and Nadeau have championed.
The criminal justice system depends on the police, courts, prosecutors, crime lab, corrections, and other entities working well together. Much information has come to light recently about low prosecution rates, the loss of the crime lab’s accreditation, backed up courts, and other problems that all result in criminal defendants being released or not prosecuted. The Council can—and does—provide ample funding for these institutions, but more action is needed from all of them to see a real reduction in crime.
A ”whole of government” approach must also address the long-term needs of residents so that some do not end up pushed to commit crime. A government that ensures that all residents have food, housing, employment, education, and recreational opportunities is the one that will be most successful deterring crime. Allen and Nadeau have gotten this right and have relentlessly fought to ensure that the residents most in need have these things.
Republican and non-DC money is funding a large portion of the “Recall Allen” campaign, and Democratic voters in the District should be aware of GOP attempts to meddle with our home-rule government.
A recent analysis by the Washington City Paper uncovered that national Republican staffers and lobbyists are behind the funding of a majority of the “Recall Allen” campaign.(4) To be sure, the campaign is not limited to just Republicans, and every resident has the right to participate in our political process. But it is disturbing and telling that the majority of funding comes from individuals in the GOP--a party that has consistently meddled in the District’s governance affairs, tried to use the city to score political points, and whose leader Donald Trump has said he will conduct a “federal takeover” of the city should he become president again.
Reviewing the “Recall Allen” financial statement, we also could not help but notice that a good number of the largest donations came from outside Ward 6 as well as from outside of Washington DC (Idaho, Florida, Rhode Island, New York, etc.)(5)
We think it’s important that DC voters know the extent of Republican and outside money that is behind much of the “Recall Allen” campaign and consider that fact when presented with a request to sign a recall petition.
The DC Democratic Party Must consider GOP and outside influence and its potential impact on the fairness of the recall process, and respond accordingly in defense of DC’s autonomy and home rule.
We urge the DC Democratic Party to consider the consequences of failing to answer against Republican and outside attempts to interfere in DC politics with the “Recall Allen” campaign. The mandate of the DC Democratic Party is to empower voters in democratic processes, which includes recalls. But the potentially outsized impact of GOP and outside influence in this process has grave potential to damage or destabilize DC’s democracy and home rule.
We urge the Party to consider an appropriate response, even if the response falls short of fully opposing the recall(s). That could include exposing inaccuracies or biases in the information being presented to voters to help ensure a neutral and impartial voting environment.
Here is what we can do to support Allen and Nadeau to oppose the recalls:
· If you are approached by anyone collecting signatures for a recall petition, #DeclineToSign
· Volunteer or donate to help Charles Allen fight the recall at https://www.neighborsunitedward6.com .
· We will publish information for supporting Brianne Nadeau when it becomes available.
The recall process is a valid means for citizens to express their views in a democracy. It is a powerful tool that should be used wisely and backed by clear evidence of wrongdoing. We believe that these recall efforts against Councilmembers Allen and Nadeau are misdirected. The crime problem is real and demands both short- and long-term solutions from every part of our government and without unwelcome outside interference. Recalling these public servants will not fix the problem.
Respectfully,
Jose L. Barrios
President, DC Latino Caucus
On behalf of the DC Latino Caucus Board and Executive Committee
1) Government of the District of Columbia, Metropolitan Police Department Budgets, FY 2020-2023, https://cfo.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/ocfo/publication/attachments/fa_mpd_chapter_2023m.pdf
2) Fox59, “These States Spend the Most on Policing and Corrections,” https://fox59.com/news/national-world/these-states-spend-the-most-on-policing-and-corrections/
3) Fox 5 DC, Secure DC Crime Bill: Council Unanimously Passes Legislation to Reduce Crime in the District, https://www.fox5dc.com/news/secure-dc-crime-bill-council-unanimously-passes-legislation-to-reduce-crime-in-the-district
4) Washington City Paper, National Republicans are Pumping Money Into the Push to Recall Charles Allen, Once Again Using D.C. Crime to Score Political Points, https://washingtoncitypaper.com/article/678688/national-republicans-are-pumping-money-into-the-push-to-recall-charles-allen-once-again-using-d-c-crime-to-score-political-points/
5) Government of the District of Columbia, Office of Campaign Finance, Report of Receipts and Expenditures, Committee to Recall Charles Allen, https://efiling.ocf.dc.gov/Schedules/EntireReport/32594
DC Latino Caucus Announces Endorsement Process and Criteria for Candidates in 2024 Democratic Primary Elections
The DC Latino Caucus will be issuing endorsements of candidates running in the Washington DC 2024 Democratic Primary for the following offices:
US President
US Delegate/House of Representatives
US Shadow Representative
US Shadow Senator
DC Council At-Large
DC Council Ward 2
DC Council Ward 4
DC Council Ward 7
DC Council Ward 8
Endorsements are made by the vote of active, dues-paid DCLC members and represent the candidates that they believe best represent the interests of the Latino community in DC.
Candidate Criteria for Endorsement
Based on lessons learned in past cycles, this year the DCLC is establishing a set of minimum criteria that candidates (except for US President) must meet in order to be considered eligible for endorsement:
Questionnaire: Each candidate must submit answers to a questionnaire on issues of importance to the DC Latino community no later than Wednesday February 21, 2024. Answers will be posted publicly on our website.
Fundraising: Each candidate must be registered, and have a campaign finance report on file, with the relevant office of campaign finance (local or federal). The most recent report on file must show a minimum of $1000 raised in contributions.
Personal Appearance at Candidate Forum: each candidate must make a personal, in-person appearance (no campaign surrogates permitted) at the DCLC member endorsement meeting to be held on Wednesday March 6, 2024, 6:30pm to 9:30pm, at Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School, Sonia Gutierrez Campus, 514 V St NE, Washington DC 20002. Candidates will be given a brief opportunity to speak and possibly take questions from the DCLC Executive Committee and Carlos Rosario audience. (The forum will be streamed online; in person seated is limited to the Carlos Rosario community and active DCLC members). UPDATE: the Board updated this rule to allow non-attendees at the forum to appear on the endorsement ballots, with a note highlighting their non-attendance—letting members decide for themselves whether to endorse or not given the non-attendance.
Endorsement Process and How to Vote
The endorsement process will be conducted in accordance with current DCLC rules.
Who can vote: Only individuals who have paid annual dues in 2024 as of February 7, 2024 will be allowed to vote. Our rules require that member voters be registered at least 30 days before the vote. No exceptions will be made.
How to become a member/Renew membership: Membership is open to any individual who supports the political participation and engagement of the Latino community in DC.
Endorsement meeting: Members and the public are invited to the DCLC endorsement meeting on Wednesday March 6, 2024, 6:30pm to 9:30pm, at Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School Auditorium. You will hear the candidates speak as to why they are the best choice for our endorsement.
Voting: Voting will begin on March 7 and will be conducted on an online platform.
Endorsement threshold: Candidates must receive 51% of the vote to obtain endorsement. If no candidate receives that on the first round of voting, a second runoff vote will be held between the top two candidates to see if either one gets 51%. If not, then DCLC will issue “no endorsement” in that race.
Results will be announced the week of March 10.
Please reach out to information@dclc.org with any questions.
DC Latino Caucus Begins Holiday Drive for CARECEN and SAMU First Response to Help Migrant Families
The DC Latino Caucus is proud to announce a holiday toy and gift drive for migrant families being served by the Central American Resource Center (CARECEN) and SAMU First Response. CARECEN and SAMU have been a part of our community and helping immigrant families for over forty years.
The drive is to help collect holiday gifts for our newly arrived community members. Many of these individuals come from Venezuela, Ecuador, Guatemala, and Nicaragua as they flee persecution or impossible living conditions in their home countries.
Earlier this year, buses of migrants began arriving in the District of Columbia from Texas and Arizona. SAMU and CARECEN have been at the forefront of the response to the needs of these families in crisis.
Claudia Barahona, a DCLC board member and Native Washingtonian, remembers going with her mom to CARECEN’s holiday drive to distribute gifts during the holidays to community members who were in need. It was at one of these gift distributions that she remembers receiving one of her first Barbies. The power of that gift of generosity has remained with her ever since.
Let’s make the first Holiday for these families in DC a special one!
You can help by purchasing from this Amazon Wish List:
Or donate via PayPal:
www.paypal.com/US/fundraiser/charity/2895689
All the proceeds purchased will go directly to SAMU’s respite centers, which are the first stop on our community members’ journeys.
Thank you for helping to bring the spirit of the holidays to these families in need!
DC Latino Caucus Kicks off Election Season 2024! Here's Our Plan For Ensuring Latino Voices Get Heard
Hello, friends!
Where did the summer go? We hope you had a great one. Our Board took a rest in anticipation of what happens next, and we are ready to go!
We are kicking off what promises to be a momentous 2024 election season. In addition to the usual excitement around the local elections, we have the backdrop of federal elections that could literally decide the fate of our country's democracy given the possibility of Trump's return to office. As Latinos, we have an increasingly powerful voice in our city's and our nation's politics, and must help safeguard our democracy and our interests at every level of government.
In DC there are elections happening for Council in Wards 2, 4, 7, and 8 as well as two At-Large seats. At the federal level, in addition to the presidential election the city will be voting on its Congressional delegation that represents us in the absence of statehood (US Delegate, US Shadow Representative and Senators). There is also a proposed Initiative 83, which seeks to implement Ranked Choice Voting and a semi-open primary system allowing independent voters to vote in party primaries.
In addition, the city's recent passage of legislation allowing non-citizens to vote in local elections means that voter education efforts will be needed to ensure that non-citizen Latinos who previously could not vote will understand and exercise their new right to do so.
Do we have enough to do or what?!
Here is our plan for ensuring that DC Latinos participate politically at every level:
September/October 2023: DCLC will be conducting elections for two candidates, our Ex-Officios, to represent us and our Latino community before the DC Democratic Party leadership. These are key liaison roles that ensure our views are represented in Democratic Party decision-making and activities at the local and national levels. An announcement with more information is imminent, stay tuned.
October 2023: we will be hosting a meet and greet with our Ex-Officio candidates as well as the city's Latino Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners (ANC's), which are at the forefront of public service in our communities. We are increasingly focusing on our Latino ANC's as a way of cultivating future leaders and candidates for higher public office, and that starts here.
Winter 2023: we are looking into conducting a public forum for one of the races. We are particularly interested in Ward 4, which is the ward with the highest Latino population in the city.
February 2024: we will be conducting our member endorsement meeting and host candidates seeking our Caucus's endorsement. Remember how in 2022 almost every candidate appeared at our forum asking for our endorsement? We are going to do it again.
February/March 2024: Our members will vote on whether to endorse candidates running in the 2024 election.
March through June 2024: we will conduct fundraising, knock on doors, educate non-citizen and citizen voters, and actively help our endorsed candidates get out the vote and win the important DC Democratic Primary!
July through November 2024: Our attention mostly shifts to the national elections to help Democrats win the White House and Congressional seats. We will phone bank and coordinate with the DC Democrats to send volunteers to other states to knock on doors and get out the vote.
Please join us and volunteer to help make all of this happen!
We are an all-volunteer organization. If you would like to help with making any of the above activities happen, please get in touch! (information@dclatinocaucus.org).
You can also support us by becoming a member today. Your annual membership dues support our activities and also entitle you to vote in our upcoming activities.
Thank you as always for your support!
Warm regards,
Jose “Joe” Barrios
President