Candidate Profile: Brooke Pinto For Ward 2 Seat On DC Council

WASHINGTON, DC — There are 29 candidates running for the D.C. City Council in the June 2 primary. In addition, candidates will face off in a June 16 special election to fill the vacant Ward 2 seat.

Patch asked the candidates to describe their qualifications and visions for the District.

Brooke Pinto, 28, is a Democrat running in the June 2 Primary and the June 16 Special Election in Ward 2.

Family

I was raised alongside my two older siblings, Caren and Nick, by my amazing mom and dad!

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

Cornell University and Georgetown Law School

Occupation

Health and Aging Fellow for Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) (2015), Tax Attorney at Andersen Tax (2016), Judicial Law Clerk and the United States Court of Federal Claims (2017-2018), Assistant Attorney General in the Tax and Finance Section (2018-2019), Assistant Attorney General for Policy and Legislative Affairs (2019-2020)

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

N/A

Campaign website

brookepintoforward2.com

What makes you the best candidate for this office?

I am the only candidate who has the business, tax, and legislative experience to get us through this crisis with integrity. As the Assistant Attorney General for Policy and Legislative Affairs, I worked with the Council and district agencies everyday. I met with hundreds of community groups and attended over 100 community meetings a year (over 4 a week!). I listened to their concerns, drafted legislation with actionable solutions, and advocated on their behalf so that they received adequate funding. I worked extensively on the city budget and understand that caring for the long-term financial health of our city and supporting the most vulnerable residents of our city do not have to be mutually exclusive.

How will you help the city recover from the economic impact of the coronavirus?

I am the only candidate with a comprehensive COVID-19 Relief and Recovery Plan. I encourage you to read my full plan on my website at brookepintoforward2.com. I will work with partners on Capitol Hill to ensure we receive the COVID-19 federal relief funding we deserve. I will also draw from my tax experience to rebalance our budget and ensure we provide much needed relief to small businesses and unemployed residents.

Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, Mayor Muriel Bowser has talked about the longstanding inequities that have been exposed by the coronavirus. She also has talked about this being an opportunity for the city to address those inequities. What are your thoughts on this?

We know now that COVID-19 is not the great equalizer, as many originally argued. COVID-19 has exacerbated racial and socio-economic inequalities that have always existed in our city. We have to ensure that all residents have access to quality healthcare and education, clear air and water, and safe housing. I am proud that these are key tenets of my COVID-19 Relief and Recovery plan.

What do you see as the biggest issue besides the coronavirus recovery facing D.C.?

Our city has been facing a housing crisis for the last decade and our local leaders have largely failed to prevent long-time DC residents, many of whom are minorities, from being pushed out. DC has experienced the highest intensity of gentrification of any city in the country and has the highest per capita rate of homelessness. This is shameful. We have to do better.

Now, with the financial impacts of COVID-19, more and more Washingtonians are struggling to pay their rent and mortgages. We have to get cash assistance into the hands of renters as soon as possible. I am also in favor of a mortgage freeze. At OAG, I saw people were oftentimes victims of predatory landlords. It is especially important now that we have stronger protections for tenants and legal representation for those who are mistreated.

What is your position on statehood for D.C.?

I am a strong advocate for DC Statehood and will continue to be as your Councilmember. As the Assistant Attorney General for Policy and Legislative Affairs, I advocated for statehood before the National Association for Attorneys General and on the Hill. I look forward to working with those I have formed partnerships with in the federal government to effectively advocate for DC statehood and to secure the COVID-19 federal relief funding we deserve.

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

I have already worked extensively with every member on the Council and every district agency. I have written important legislation on issues such as hate crimes, criminal justice reform, small business protection and workers rights. Part of my role at the OAG included working on the annual budget and tax laws. I am the only candidate with the tax, business, and city-wide legislative experience needed to be most effective as Ward 2’s Councilmember and ensure our city recovers from this crisis.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

“The better you get at the job, the more people you can help.” - Attorney General Karl Racine

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I am proud to be endorsed by the Washington Post, Attorney General Karl Racine, and dozens of national and local leaders. I have a reputation for integrity, creativity, tenacity and hard-work. I am the most prepared candidate for this job and would be honored to be the first woman to ever hold the Ward 2 Council seat.

Read Other Ward 2 Candidate Profiles:

• Jack Evans
• John Fanning
• Jordan Grossman
• Patrick Kennedy
• Kishan Putta
• Katherine Venice
• Yilin Zhang