Candidate Profile: Matthew Frumin For DC City Council In Ward 3​

WASHINGTON, DC — Matthew Frumin, a 63-year-old attorney who lives in American University Park, says that alleviating school overcrowding and increasing access to affordable housing are the most pressing issues in Ward 3.

Frumin is on the ballot for the June 21 Democratic Party Primary. He's running against eight other candidates to fill the vacant Ward 3 seat on the D.C. City Council: Henry Z Cohen, Tricia Duncan, Beau Finley, Eric Goulet, Ben Bergmann, Deirdre Brown, Monte Monash and Phil Thomas. The winner will square off against Republican David Krucoff in 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

Matthew Frumin

Campaign website

Frumin for Ward 3

DC Neighborhood

American University Park

Office sought

Ward 3 Councilmember

Party affiliation

Democrat

Education

BA, University of Michigan, JD, George Washington University Law School

Occupation

Attorney

Family

I am married to Lena Steckel Frumin and have three children, Alice (33), Jophie (30) and Zoe (26)

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Age

63
Previous public office, appointive or elective

I served as an ANC commissioner and have been on various Council and Mayoral Taskforces

Why are you seeking this office?

I have been deeply committed to improving our Ward and city for nearly two decades and believe I have made a real difference in areas as diverse as education, affordable housing, senior services, health, parks, transportation and utility service. I have a track record of listening, building coalitions and getting difficult things accomplished. I believe I could be a very effective member of the Council and have an even larger positive impact.

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

This differs for different constituents. For young families it is school overcrowding and we urgently need to add school capacity. For many it is access to affordable housing and again we need to add significantly to our housing stock. Seniors face a different suite of issues. And, many people are deeply concerned about crime. Together, we must attack each of these issues. See my website fruminforward3.com Issues Page for a run down of key issues facing the Ward and city.

What is your position on DC statehood?

DC must become a State.

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

See my website fruminforward3.com on the Ideas page for my Public Safety Platform.

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

I believe I bring a particular set of experiences, approach and record of success. I have been active in my community for close to two decades. I have worked with stakeholders on issue after issue and built trust to secure durable solutions. My activity has given me deep relationships in the community, the ability to navigate all levels of city government and the capacity to marshal coalitions from across the city to get things done. I bring a style and willingness to listen that offers the most promise to resolve contentious issues and move us forward. There are a number of excellent candidates in this race, but none have my depth of experience or track record of accomplishment in our community.

If you are challenging an incumbent, in what way has the current officeholder failed the community?

No. It is an open seat.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

See fruminforward3.com

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

A long track record of getting important and difficult things done in our community whether it be supporting our schools, getting buildings built, resolving issues around park pursuant to which competing stakeholder interests could all be met, supporting our small businesses or creating fun events to bring the community together.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

My father told me "I have never persuaded anybody of anything in an argument." He was 75 at the time. To solve things, one must keep the temperature down so that one can be open to see potential solutions if they exist.

Related:

Candidate Profile: Ben Bergmann For Ward 3 DC City Council Seat

Candidate Profile: Deirdre Brown For Ward 3 DC City Council Seat

Candidate Profile: Tricia Duncan For DC City Council In Ward 3

Candidate Profile: Beau Finley For DC City Council In Ward 3

Candidate Profile: Monte Monash For City Council In Ward 3

Candidate Profile: Phil Thomas For Ward 3 DC City Council Seat