Candidate Profile: Yilin Zhang 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 be facing 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.

Yilin (Ellen) Zhang, 32, is a Democrat running in the June 2 Primary and the June 16 Special Election for the vacant Ward 2 seat.

Family

The daughter of hard-working immigrant parents, I grew up in California and Michigan. When I moved to California at the age of three with my mother to reunite with my father, we lived on his graduate student salary. My mother did not speak English at the time, and she worked in a deli store and cleaned houses to help support our family. From my parents, I learned what it means to navigate cultural and class differences, and persevere in building one's dreams. I would not be where I am today without the tremendous support of my family and friends.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

MSc in Health Policy and Health Economics, London School of Economics and Political Science, Rotary Foundation Global Grant Scholar
BA in Anthropology and minor in International Relations-Global Health, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Fulbright Fellow

Occupation

Business Development Executive
10 years in the health care field, in strategy and operations consulting, research, and business development

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

N/A

Campaign website

https://www.yilinforward2.com/

What makes you the best candidate for this office?

I have spent the last decade working in health care as a strategy and operations consultant, research, and business development. I am a published researcher and have worked in the public and private sectors. I am running for DC Council because I believe everyone should have a voice that is heard in our democracy, and that a Councilmember’s only priority is the community she serves.

I am a candidate who is committed to doing the work and finding collaborative solutions. I am looking forward to using my decade-long professional experience on the DC Council to work with our community to make a positive impact.

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

COVID-19 has highlighted the need to build a resilient infrastructure.

Our residents experiencing homelessness need stable housing – and coordinated, continued access to wraparound services. This includes mental and behavioral health support, substance abuse recovery support, and access to long-term employment opportunities. Most importantly these services need to be managed continuously through case managers. This is a long-term investment.

Additionally, we need support for our local and small businesses, and work to make sure our local residents have employment that pays a living wage. In terms of building a resilient infrastructure, we need to innovate and update our unemployment benefits processing system to be able to process increased claims quickly. DC was short changed $750 M in federal COVID-19 relief funding because it is not a state. Many small businesses, and especially our restaurants that are now only offering take-out/delivery, operate on very thin margins. Many have already closed. Some businesses may not survive past this year, and more individuals will lose their jobs permanently.

The economic impact of COVID-19 will continue even after we reopen our economy and community. We need to assess where there may be duplication of processes or programs, and these would be the areas where we first save before making budget cuts. Tax increases need to be targeted; we need to be careful so that they do not negatively impact our most vulnerable residents and small business owners.

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 need to fight for equity across DC and build a resilient infrastructure. We need to address the supply of affordable and deeply affordable housing, champion education equality, and ensure equitable distribution of quality health care resources across DC. With respect to housing, there is need for housing below the 50 percent area median income (AMI), units of different sizes, and more starter homes. With respect to education equality, no matter where a student lives, they should be able to access quality education. Currently, due to COVID-19, students are engaged in virtual learning, but about 30 percent of students do not have access to the internet or computers at home. We must ensure that all students have equitable access to technology so they can continue to learn during this pandemic. I will also work for a budget that provides enough resources centered on health and mental wellness, and include food service that is centered on serving healthy, nutritious food to all students.Additionally, we need more equitable distribution of hospitals, clinics, and health care resources. DC has the highest maternal mortality rate in the nation, and Wards 7 and 8 have some of the highest incidences of chronic conditions. No matter where an individual is born or lives, he or she deserves an equal opportunity to live in a healthy and safe environment. Critical issues we must address are also addressing our homelessness crisis; making sure relief and resources reach our undocumented community, and that there is a trust; and addressing DC Jail building a comprehensive public health solution to address inequalities.

The impact of COVID-19 will be long-term. DC can be an exemplary place and home in the twenty-first century; we need to invest in building a resilient infrastructure, innovate, and diversify our economy so that there are increased employment opportunities across DC.

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

We need to find real solutions for our residents experiencing homelessness. Individuals I have spoken with do not want to a shelter, for a number of reasons - do not feel safe, not clean, may not be able to go with a partner if no children, and not able to bring pets and service animals. Our residents experiencing homelessness need housing – and coordinated, continued access to wraparound services, including health care access, mental and behavioral health support, and addiction treatment.

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

We need DC Statehood. DC needs voting representation in Congress. I have been fighting for DC Statehood for more than two years with the League of Women Voters. DC received $750 M less than states in federal COVID-19 relief funding because it is not a state. DC residents pay the most in federal taxes per capita, and we have a larger population than two states.

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

I have spent the last decade working in health care. I am a published researcher and have worked in the public and private sectors. I am hard-working, committed, and determined. My only priority is to serve our residents and develop collaborative solutions. It is critical to create inclusive, comprehensive policy that is responsive to our residents' needs, including our most vulnerable populations. I'm first-generation Asian American and fom my parents, I learned to navigate cultural and class differences, the importance of hard work, and how we can achieve more by working together.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Stay focused on working toward the good you can achieve. Know and separate from the distractions.

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

I’m running because I believe everyone should have a voice that is heard in our democracy and I am someone who listens and gets things done. I’m not running to enrich myself. I believe a Councilmember's only priority is to serve her community. I am focused on addressing our homelessness crisis, finding real long-term relief for our small businesses, enhancing education equality across DC, enhancing equitable access to quality health care resources across DC, continuing to fight for DC Statehood, addressing affordability of DC, decriminalizing sex work, building a greener future.

If you'd like to learn more about our Campaign, please visit us at www.yilinforward2.com and on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @yilinforward2. We can also be found on our YouTube channel: Yilin for Ward 2.

Read Other Ward 2 Candidate Profiles:

• Jack Evans
• John Fanning
• Jordan Grossman
• Patrick Kennedy
• Brooke Pinto
• Kishan Putta
• Katherine Venice