Zach Israel
@zachisrael.bsky.social
Former ANC 4D commissioner | Advocacy professional | Nats fan | Dad to Elliot & Milo | Opinions are my own https://x.com/zachbisrael
Reposted by Zach Israel
Trump: "I have determined that the fastest way to bring The Trump Kennedy Center to the highest level of Success, Beauty, and Grandeur, is to cease Entertainment Operations for an approximately two year period of time, with a scheduled Grand Reopening that will rival and surpass anything."
February 1, 2026 at 11:27 PM
Trump: "I have determined that the fastest way to bring The Trump Kennedy Center to the highest level of Success, Beauty, and Grandeur, is to cease Entertainment Operations for an approximately two year period of time, with a scheduled Grand Reopening that will rival and surpass anything."
FEC filing reports were due today—here are Brooke Pinto and Robert White’s fundraising stats for Delegate, as of Dec. 31, 2025:
CM Pinto has raised $838,073.25 and has $608,867.80 on hand
CM R. White raised $229,573.32 and has $151,818.86 on hand (but has $87,250 in debts)
CM Pinto has raised $838,073.25 and has $608,867.80 on hand
CM R. White raised $229,573.32 and has $151,818.86 on hand (but has $87,250 in debts)
January 31, 2026 at 11:35 PM
FEC filing reports were due today—here are Brooke Pinto and Robert White’s fundraising stats for Delegate, as of Dec. 31, 2025:
CM Pinto has raised $838,073.25 and has $608,867.80 on hand
CM R. White raised $229,573.32 and has $151,818.86 on hand (but has $87,250 in debts)
CM Pinto has raised $838,073.25 and has $608,867.80 on hand
CM R. White raised $229,573.32 and has $151,818.86 on hand (but has $87,250 in debts)
Reposted by Zach Israel
For those looking for an easy comprehensive list of all filed candidates, AND their positions and actions on DC statehood, check out the new DC Candidate Statehood Tracker: candidates.representdc.org
The first questionnaire responses just came in!
The first questionnaire responses just came in!
DC Candidate Tracker | 2026 Elections
Track DC candidate positions on statehood and home rule. See which 2026 election candidates have responded to our questionnaire and compare their positions.
candidates.representdc.org
January 31, 2026 at 7:16 PM
For those looking for an easy comprehensive list of all filed candidates, AND their positions and actions on DC statehood, check out the new DC Candidate Statehood Tracker: candidates.representdc.org
The first questionnaire responses just came in!
The first questionnaire responses just came in!
Reposted by Zach Israel
Our mayor played nice with Trump on his DC National Guard deployment, yet she didn't ask them to help clear the snow (something the Guard is actually supposed to be for) until yesterday, and they've now assigned only 50 of the 2500 or so guardsmen to snow duty. www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/202...
D.C. deploys more contractors, asks National Guard for help with snow
Trash pickup is set to begin starting Saturday, while crews are still tackling bus shelters and streets that are piled high with icy snow.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 31, 2026 at 6:13 PM
Our mayor played nice with Trump on his DC National Guard deployment, yet she didn't ask them to help clear the snow (something the Guard is actually supposed to be for) until yesterday, and they've now assigned only 50 of the 2500 or so guardsmen to snow duty. www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/202...
The DC Council’s Committee on Transportation and the Environment has scheduled a hearing on Thursday, March 26 on four water utility-related bills:
January 31, 2026 at 4:39 PM
The DC Council’s Committee on Transportation and the Environment has scheduled a hearing on Thursday, March 26 on four water utility-related bills:
Reposted by Zach Israel
We're now 1 week into the nominating petition period for the DC Democratic primary, so let's see who has picked up petitions so far (they're due March 18). 🧵 #DCElections
January 31, 2026 at 12:10 AM
We're now 1 week into the nominating petition period for the DC Democratic primary, so let's see who has picked up petitions so far (they're due March 18). 🧵 #DCElections
Looks like Ward 3 SBOE member @ejgoulet.bsky.social picked up papers today to run in the Democratic At-Large Councilmember primary. There are now *11 candidates* running for this open seat; 2,000 valid signatures from Dems need to be submitted by March 18 to make it onto the June 16 ballot.
January 30, 2026 at 10:55 PM
Looks like Ward 3 SBOE member @ejgoulet.bsky.social picked up papers today to run in the Democratic At-Large Councilmember primary. There are now *11 candidates* running for this open seat; 2,000 valid signatures from Dems need to be submitted by March 18 to make it onto the June 16 ballot.
One of the very last accomplishments as ANC 4D04 commissioner was securing $ in DPR's budget to improve the 9th St. & Illinois Ave. Triangle Park (immediately adjacent to Truesdell ES in Brightwood Park). More than 3 years later, it’s finally coming to fruition! @cmlewisgeorgew4.bsky.social
January 30, 2026 at 7:29 PM
One of the very last accomplishments as ANC 4D04 commissioner was securing $ in DPR's budget to improve the 9th St. & Illinois Ave. Triangle Park (immediately adjacent to Truesdell ES in Brightwood Park). More than 3 years later, it’s finally coming to fruition! @cmlewisgeorgew4.bsky.social
“The Secretar[ies of DOI & DOT], in coordination with the Mayor of Washington, D.C., as needed, shall ensure that any roads, trails, or bridges to be used as part of the race course are properly maintained and capable of being used in such a manner.” www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...
January 30, 2026 at 6:55 PM
“The Secretar[ies of DOI & DOT], in coordination with the Mayor of Washington, D.C., as needed, shall ensure that any roads, trails, or bridges to be used as part of the race course are properly maintained and capable of being used in such a manner.” www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...
It looks like the House is indeed voting on H.J. Res. 142 next week, which would nullify the "D.C. Income and Franchise Tax Conformity and Revision Temporary Amendment Act of 2025," costing the District government *$224 million* in the current FY 2026...
January 30, 2026 at 5:55 PM
It looks like the House is indeed voting on H.J. Res. 142 next week, which would nullify the "D.C. Income and Franchise Tax Conformity and Revision Temporary Amendment Act of 2025," costing the District government *$224 million* in the current FY 2026...
Reposted by Zach Israel
D.C. budget (legal) battle! @chmnmendelson.bsky.social is threatening to join a lawsuit against @mayorbowser.dc.gov over certain budget documents from city agencies that Bowser has been refusing to give the D.C. Council.
January 29, 2026 at 6:44 PM
D.C. budget (legal) battle! @chmnmendelson.bsky.social is threatening to join a lawsuit against @mayorbowser.dc.gov over certain budget documents from city agencies that Bowser has been refusing to give the D.C. Council.
A couple of interesting details here: it looks like Mayor Bowser returned this temporary bill to the DC Council unsigned on Dec. 19 (with no explanation provided); the 30-day congressional review period will end around February 12; and the Senate can pass this with 51 votes…
January 29, 2026 at 3:32 AM
A couple of interesting details here: it looks like Mayor Bowser returned this temporary bill to the DC Council unsigned on Dec. 19 (with no explanation provided); the 30-day congressional review period will end around February 12; and the Senate can pass this with 51 votes…
It’s cost the federal government *$223 million* for the National Guard to be deployed in the District between August-December 2025, and *$55 million* a month for 2,950 personnel to continue being deployed here… www.cbo.gov/system/files...
January 29, 2026 at 3:06 AM
It’s cost the federal government *$223 million* for the National Guard to be deployed in the District between August-December 2025, and *$55 million* a month for 2,950 personnel to continue being deployed here… www.cbo.gov/system/files...
This still stands more than a year later…
The DC Council should pass a law requiring all private employers in the District to provide paid time off to employees who have children who are enrolled in childcare or school and their facility and/or school is closed due to inclement weather! This is the fair thing to do!
January 29, 2026 at 1:54 AM
This still stands more than a year later…
It looks like there are now *three* separate slates of candidates running for various DC Democratic State Committee (DCDSC) races in the June 16 primary. See here in Ward 5:
Free DC Slate
Fight for Statehood
Democrats United to Free DC
Oh, and no RCV in these party races…
Free DC Slate
Fight for Statehood
Democrats United to Free DC
Oh, and no RCV in these party races…
January 29, 2026 at 1:21 AM
It looks like there are now *three* separate slates of candidates running for various DC Democratic State Committee (DCDSC) races in the June 16 primary. See here in Ward 5:
Free DC Slate
Fight for Statehood
Democrats United to Free DC
Oh, and no RCV in these party races…
Free DC Slate
Fight for Statehood
Democrats United to Free DC
Oh, and no RCV in these party races…
Here’s a good breakdown of which federal departments and agencies will be shut down beginning Saturday, January 31 (the real first day of wide-scale impacts would be Monday, Feb. 2):
January 29, 2026 at 1:10 AM
Here’s a good breakdown of which federal departments and agencies will be shut down beginning Saturday, January 31 (the real first day of wide-scale impacts would be Monday, Feb. 2):
Where are pedestrians supposed to walk when most sidewalks are literally not passable?
Navigating snowcrete and icy streets demands caution. Allow extra time to get where you’re going, stay aware of your surroundings, and watch for pedestrians and crews working to keep streets clear.
January 29, 2026 at 12:12 AM
Where are pedestrians supposed to walk when most sidewalks are literally not passable?
Rumor is that @dcpublicschools.bsky.social will reopen tomorrow (Thursday, January 29)—10am delayed opening.
Hasn’t been announced publicly yet but is forthcoming…
Hasn’t been announced publicly yet but is forthcoming…
January 28, 2026 at 9:54 PM
Rumor is that @dcpublicschools.bsky.social will reopen tomorrow (Thursday, January 29)—10am delayed opening.
Hasn’t been announced publicly yet but is forthcoming…
Hasn’t been announced publicly yet but is forthcoming…
Two additional Independent At-Large CM candidates pulled papers today to run in the June 16 special election: Doug Sloan & Nina Taylor. We now have 10 Independent candidates collecting signatures - the incumbent, Doni Crawford, is not among them (who took office 1 week ago)…
January 28, 2026 at 2:04 AM
Two additional Independent At-Large CM candidates pulled papers today to run in the June 16 special election: Doug Sloan & Nina Taylor. We now have 10 Independent candidates collecting signatures - the incumbent, Doni Crawford, is not among them (who took office 1 week ago)…
The timeline is whenever the sheet of ice covering revel inches of snow eventually melts, which may not happen for a long while…
January 27, 2026 at 5:59 PM
The timeline is whenever the sheet of ice covering revel inches of snow eventually melts, which may not happen for a long while…
I see what you did there @dcpubliclibrary.bsky.social
January 27, 2026 at 5:56 PM
I see what you did there @dcpubliclibrary.bsky.social
Reposted by Zach Israel
Watching the DC Bike Walk and Bus PAC Ward 1 candidate forum and one thing is clear so far: candidate Terry Lynch (off camera) is wrong on every issue.
January 26, 2026 at 11:32 PM
Watching the DC Bike Walk and Bus PAC Ward 1 candidate forum and one thing is clear so far: candidate Terry Lynch (off camera) is wrong on every issue.
Reposted by Zach Israel
Interesting: In a new court filing, Ward 8 Councilmember Trayon White's attorney is pushing back on federal prosecutors' motion to prohibit White from claiming entrapment in his upcoming bribery trial. White's attorney calls the man that allegedly bribed White a "prodigious criminal fraudster."
January 26, 2026 at 8:40 PM
Interesting: In a new court filing, Ward 8 Councilmember Trayon White's attorney is pushing back on federal prosecutors' motion to prohibit White from claiming entrapment in his upcoming bribery trial. White's attorney calls the man that allegedly bribed White a "prodigious criminal fraudster."
I want to extend my gratitude to @eleanornorton.bsky.social, who has done so much for the District over the past 35 years she’s served in Congress (literally spanning my entire life)! Now is the right time to pass the baton to the next generation and I wish her well in retirement.
January 25, 2026 at 9:16 PM
I want to extend my gratitude to @eleanornorton.bsky.social, who has done so much for the District over the past 35 years she’s served in Congress (literally spanning my entire life)! Now is the right time to pass the baton to the next generation and I wish her well in retirement.
"The report showed her campaign raised a paltry $7.50 between Jan. 1 and Jan. 25, bringing in a total of just under $20,000 for the cycle despite spending nearly $117,000."
www.axios.com/2026/01/25/e...
www.axios.com/2026/01/25/e...
D.C. Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton just shuttered her reelection campaign
A campaign filing showed she raised just $7.50 cents in January and owes $90,000 in debt.
www.axios.com
January 25, 2026 at 4:34 PM
"The report showed her campaign raised a paltry $7.50 between Jan. 1 and Jan. 25, bringing in a total of just under $20,000 for the cycle despite spending nearly $117,000."
www.axios.com/2026/01/25/e...
www.axios.com/2026/01/25/e...