Candidate Profile: Brianne K. Nadeau For City Council In Ward 1

May 27, 5:20 p.m.: Patch published a response from Ward 1 Councilmember Brianne K. Nadeau about assertions, which she said were false, made by challenger Salah Czapary in his Patch candidate profile.

WASHINGTON, DC — For the past eight years, Brianne K. Nadeau has represented Ward 1 on the D.C. City Council.

Nadeau is on the ballot for the June 21 Democratic Party Primary. She's running against Salah Czapary and Sabel Harris to retain the Ward 1 seat on the D.C. City Council. There is currently no Republican challenger in Ward 1 for the Nov. 8 general election.

Patch has asked each of the candidates running in select races to fill out a questionnaire, sharing facts about themselves and why voters should choose them to represent their party in November.

Name

Brianne K. Nadeau

Campaign website

Brian for DC

DC Neighborhood

Park View

Office sought

Councilmember, Ward 1

Party affiliation

Democrat

Education

Bachelor of Arts from Boston College; Masters of Public Policy from American University

Occupation

Councilmember, 8 years

Family Husband Jayson Harpster, daughters Zoe (4.5) and Madeline (20 months)

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

just me

Age

41

Previous public office, appointive or elective

I am the current Ward 1 Councilmember and served as the Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner for ANC1B05 from 2007-2011

Why are you seeking this office?

For the past 8 years I have been fighting for the people of Ward 1, and getting results. During that time I have put more than 1,200 units of affordable housing in the pipeline in Ward 1, increased funding for public safety each year, improved our schools, and provided constituent services to more than 8,000 families. I'm proud of the work I have done for the people of Ward 1, but we have more work to do.

Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ___, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Public Safety. Each year I have increased funding for public safety in Ward 1, making significant investments in not only the police, but also critical programs that support survivors, prevent violence and engage our youth. And while these programs are working to reduce violence in our communities, we need more to address the impacts of the pandemic and other causes of crime. I look forward to implementing additional resources that I was proud to support in the FY23 budget.

What is your position on DC statehood?

I have been a strong champion of DC Statehood.

How would you address the problem of gun violence in the District?

As Councilmember I have passed laws to get guns off our streets, invested in significant funding for our police each year, and most importantly, fought for resources in Ward 1 to prevent and end the violence we experience in our communities. When I first took office, there was no funding available for violence prevention in Ward 1. Through hard work, I have brought more than $1.5 million annually to the Ward for measures to reduce neighborhood-based violence, funding for survivors of violence, and $20 million annually for youth programs. Ending violence in the District requires a persistent effort to get guns off the street, reduce conflicts and provide alternative paths to violence. Because of these investments, we are making progress in these short- and long-term solutions, but there is more work to do in each of these areas. I will continue my efforts working with law enforcement and our non-profit community to end the violence.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

As a mom, I know firsthand the importance of a safe, stable community in Ward 1, because I'm raising my own family here. I have a proven track record of delivering results to the people of Ward 1, and the District of Columbia. As a Ward Councilmember I've put more than 1,200 units of affordable housing in Ward 1, improving our schools, investing in public safety. As chairperson of the Committee on Human Services, I've ended homelessness for thousands of households, enhanced rights and services for those with disabilities, and expanded benefits to those in need. I deeply understand the challenges our Ward 1 residents face, because I've been there serving them every day for the past 8 years, and I'm doing everything I can to address these needs.

If you are challenging an incumbent, in what way has the current officeholder failed the community? What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

I've been a leader on road safety, introducing several piece of legislation to make roads safer for all users, but especially pedestrians. I have championed bike infrastructure and more reliable and accessible bus service. I've worked to ensure equitable access to healthcare for immigrant residents as well as our lowest income residents. I've helped our small businesses through grants and technical assistance. I'm proud of the work I've done serving our most vulnerable residents and hope to have the opportunity to keep doing so.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

• Provide constituent services to residents of Ward 1, closing more than 8,000 cases since 2015
• Established Main Street programs to support small businesses in Columbia Heights, Mount Pleasant, Lower Georgia Avenue and U Street
• Expanded Clean Teams throughout Ward 1, in order to keep neighborhoods clean and create good jobs
• Incubated the Lower Georgia Avenue Equitable Development Planning Process Secured violence prevention funds for Ward 1, bringing the investment from $0, to more than $1.5 million annually
• Oversaw the modernization of 7 Ward 1-serving public schools
• Championed Paid Family Leave Authored the Street Harassment Prevention Act
• Supported the Neighborhood Engagement Achieves Results Act, establishing a public health approach to safety
• Supported the Birth to Three legislation expanding access to early childhood education
• Supported pedestrian and cyclist safety through critical legislation and investments in infrastructure Introduced legislation to expand access to healthcare for undocumented residents Introduced legislation to decriminalize street vending and eliminate barriers to licensure Introduced legislation to allow local voting rights for legal permanent residents
• Expanded the authority of the Office of the Tenant Advocate Was the lead co-introducer of legislation drafted by the Reclaim Rent Control coalition
• Introduced legislation to establish Vote by Mail in the District of Columbia Authored the Homes & Hearts Amendment of 2021 to increase taxes on wealthy Washingtonians and fund $65 million annually toward housing for those experiencing homelessness, increasing wages for childcare workers, establishing a universal basic income for working families Repeatedly cut spending on wasteful government programs in order to fund social programs and consumer protection
• Secured enhanced funding for excluded workers in the fiscal year 2021 and 2022 budgets
• Performed oversight of the DC Public Education System Led during a global pandemic, advocating for access to testing, vaccines and PPE as well as a safe return to school
• Established the Ward 1 Redistricting Task Force of 2022

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Look for work, and leave things better than you found them.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I have earned my reputation as a fighter and champion for the people of Ward 1 and our most vulnerable residents in DC. I am not deterred from difficult challenges when it means I can deliver results for my constituents. I'm proud of that, and I will keep fighting.

Related:

Candidate Profile: Salah Czapary For DC City Council In Ward 1

Candidate Profile: Sabel Harris For DC City Council In Ward 1