Meet Eleanor Holmes Norton, Candidate For DC Delegate To Congress

WASHINGTON, DC — In addition to voting for president and vice president of the United States in the Nov. 3 general election, voters in Washington, D.C., will choose a delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives; at-large member of the D.C. Council; member of the D.C. Council for wards 2, 4, 7 and 8; U.S. senator; U.S. representative; at-large member of the State Board of Education; member of the State Board of Education for wards 2, 4, 7, and 8; and Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner.

Eleanor Holmes Norton, 83, is running for reelection as the District's delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives.

As part of its coverage of the 2020 election, Patch has asked candidates in select races in D.C. to fill out a questionnaire to describe why they think they're the best person to fill the job they're running for.

Candidate

Eleanor Holmes Norton

Age (as of Election Day)

83

Office Sought

Delegate-U.S. House of Representative

Party Affiliation

Democrat

Family

Son, Daughter, 2 grandchildren

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

B.A. Antioch College, joint JD/Masters Yale Law School, Yale Graduate School

Occupation

Member of Congress

Campaign website

https://www.eleanorfordc.com

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Chair, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

The single most pressing issue facing the District is COVID-19, and this is what I intend to do about it.

I have just supported the most recent $2.2 billion compromise bill passed by the House on October 2nd which provides equal funding for D.C. in all categories.

Do you support Black Lives Matter and what are your thoughts on the demonstrations held since the death of George Floyd and the shooting of Jacob Blake?

Black Lives Matter is engaged in peaceful demonstrations on issues of racism and discrimination ranging from excessive police action and removing confederate statues to finally eradicating the remaining practices and symbols of American racism and inequality.

What are your thoughts on the campaign to "defund" the police?

A better slogan would be Reform the Police. Violent crime is a major issue in D.C. We need to focus police on crimes and delegate the many other issues they are called to attend to others.

What are your thoughts on the state and national response to the coronavirus pandemic? Do you favor such measures as limiting operation of non-essential businesses or restricting indoor/outdoor dining? And do you favor a nationwide mask mandate?

The President’s leadership on COVID-19 has left D.C. and each state on its own without uniform guidance. His failure to require a nationwide mask mandate is his most significant failure, costing thousands of lives.

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

My record of continually producing many benefits for D.C. residents, although I have spent most of my service in the minority.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

N/A

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

Continuing to get funding for DCTAG, my unique bill allowing D.C. students to attend any state supported US college; continued funding to locate federal agencies at the St. Elizabeth’s unused campus, bringing much needed commercial activity to Ward 8; getting $735 million D.C. lost when D.C. was treated as a territory by Republicans when they managed the CARES ACT; getting Senate passage of the new surface transportation reauthorization bill, including increased funding for Metro that I helped write and passed in the House.

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

If you win this position, what accomplishment would make your term in office as a success?

Challenger Question

Why should voters trust you?

My record of consistently producing for D.C. even though I cannot cast a final vote on the House Floor for my own bills and producing for D.C. even though I have spent most of my years in Congress with Republicans in charge.

What are your views on fiscal policy, government spending and the use of taxpayer dollars in the office you are seeking?

21) I favor spending to meet the country’s need, especially today when the pandemic requires funding necessities for millions of Americans out of work while making annual efforts to reduce the deficit when possible because deficits add to taxpayer liability as they grow.

Is there any reason you would not serve your full term of office, other than those of health or family?

No

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Work Hard