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

WASHINGTON, DC — Phil Thomas is the former Ward 3 liaison to the mayor and former director of the Mayor's Office of the Clean City. He's currently running to fill the vacant Ward 3 seat on the D.C. City Council.

Thomas is on the ballot for the June 21 Democratic Party Primary, facing eight other candidates: Tricia Duncan, Henry Z Cohen, Matthew Frumin, Eric Goulet, Ben Bergmann, Beau Finley, Deirdre Brown, and Monte Monash. 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
Phil Thomas

Campaign website

Phil For Ward 3

DC Neighborhood

Palisades
Office sought

City Council, Ward 3

Party affiliation

Democrat

Education B.A., in Education

Occupation

Two Term ANC Commissioner - 3D05, Chair of the Ward 3 Democrats, and President of the Federation of Community Associations. Former Ward 3 liaison to the Mayor and former Director of the Mayor's Office of the Clean City

Family
Kathryn Epps - Wife

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

Reginald L Thomas - State Senator representing the 13th District in Fayette County, Kentucky.

Previous public office, appointive or elective

Two Term Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner - 3D05, Two Term on the DC Democratic State Committee

Why are you seeking this office?

I am running to be the next Ward 3 Councilmember because I am invested in Ward 3. I first moved to the Ward (Palisades) in 2009 to take care of my grandparents and my great aunt. I fell in love with the community and immediately got involved. I became an Elementary school teacher at Mundo Verde Bilingual and was elected as an ANC Commissioner. A few years later, I accepted a job as the Mayor’s liaison to Ward 3; a position that required me to solve big problems and little problems for Ward 3 residents. I joined the executive board of the Palisades Neighborhood’s Association and the Police 2nd District Citizens Advisory Council.

I was later elected Chair of the Ward 3 Democratic Committee and President of the Federation of Community Associations. Last year, I continued my public service when I became the Director of the Mayor’s Office of the Clean City where I worked on environmental equity across the city. I have been proud to have served Ward 3 for more than a decade. My community and government experience has prepared me to serve again as your next Councilmember. I’m asking for your vote and I’m promising to make you proud if elected as your next Councilmember.

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

To promoting and maintaining a good quality of life in Ward 3. I am running on a platform called 3 S’s and an H. I am focused on Seniors, Schools, Safety and Housing. As Ward 3 Councilmember I want to bring a Senior Wellness Center to Ward 3, reduce overcrowding in our neighborhood schools, fight to maintain Mayoral control of our schools, drive down crime, and bring affordable housing so our teachers and public safety officers can live in the communities they serve.

What is your position on DC statehood?

YES DC should be a state. Every vexing issue facing the District of Columbia can trace roots back to District residents’ lack of full representation in Congress. I support DC Statehood and know the immediate steps the DC government must take to achieve statehood. We need to shine a light across the United States on the plight of DC residents and push the national parties to support candidates nationwide who will join us in our fight for full representation. Taxation without representation isn’t just a slogan, it has real world consequences and is a yoke on the neck of 700,000 US citizens who call the District home that have less than a full voice in their own affairs.

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

As Ward 3 Councilmember I will take a holistic approach to public safety. I am in favor of hiring more police who were born here, raised here, and live in the community in which they serve. I would also like to see more women in the police force. We also need to invest more in successful strategies to prevent crime like violence interrupters, credible messengers, roving leaders, and neighborhood watch programs. I would also like to focus our resources on Behavior Health and Mental Health as the pandemic affected all of us, some worst than others. I will work with my colleagues on the Council to make sure the police force has all the resources they need to hire, retain and to bolster the effectiveness of public safety.

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

I am the only candidate in the race that has community experience, government experience and proven results.

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

If elected to represent Ward 3, my priority will be to oppose any effort by the DC Council to go back to the old days, to continue to push to keep Ward 3 schools great, and to build new schools to meet demand. As a former D.C. school teacher, I understand how public education works, how it can be improved, and how important it is to promote and maintain a good quality of life in Ward 3.The progress hasn’t always been as fast as we want, or as equitable–but progress is being made.

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

I have fostered support for the Ward 3 Short-Term Family Housing shelter, assisted with the Hearst Park and Pool project and the remodeling of the Palisades Recreation Center and Hardy Park. I know how to work with the community and the government to deliver for Ward 3.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Hard work and staying persistent bets overnight success, which is a reminder to continue to work hard to better my community.

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

I’d like voters to understand that I am invested in Ward 3. I became an Elementary school teacher and was elected as an ANC Commissioner. I then accepted a job as the Mayor’s liaison to Ward 3; a position that required me to solve big and little problems for Ward 3 residents. I was later elected Chair of the Ward 3 Democratic Committee. I have been proud to have served Ward 3 for more than a decade. My community and government experience has prepared me to serve again as your next Councilmember.

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: Matthew Frumin For DC City Council In Ward 3

Candidate Profile: Monte Monash For City Council In Ward 3