A Washington, D.C. council member is running for D.C.’s nonvoting seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, challenging long-term incumbent and fellow Democrat Eleanor Holmes Norton. 

The announcement from Robert White, a Democrat who represents D.C. at large in the Council of the District of Columbia, sets up a primary contest against Norton, who has represented D.C. as its nonvoting delegate since 1991 and is seeking reelection for a 19th term. White, first elected to the D.C. Council in 2016, worked in Norton’s office for six years as a legislative counsel before entering local politics. 

In a video posted on X, White said the federal government has persistently attacked D.C., citing increased federal influence in the city that many fear may threaten the District’s autonomy.

“This year, our city has been attacked relentlessly — our money stolen, our communities threatened, our children afraid with no end in sight,” White said in the video. “I worry that if we can’t turn back this tide, we won’t even have elected officials to vote for in D.C.”

In recent months, clashes between the D.C. government and federal authorities have escalated as Congress moves to assert greater control over the District’s budget and criminal justice system. 

Ishaan Pabla (MSB ’27), a D.C. resident who plans to vote in the 2026 election, said the District’s autonomy is one of the most important issues at stake. 

“The D.C. congressional representative, because they can’t vote, really have to be the ones who are championing D.C. home rule to Congress and, even more than that, D.C. statehood,” Pabla told The Hoya. “I think we really need a representative in Congress who’s going to push back and fight for D.C. home rule and our right to self-governance.”

Pabla said he has become increasingly concerned with D.C.’s autonomy. 

“This issue really can’t be on the back burner, especially with D.C. being a focus right now with National Guard deployment and ICE agents,” Pabla said.

White, a progressive Democrat, centers his policies on affordable housing, criminal justice reform, economic equity and expanding opportunities for underserved communities. He currently serves as the chairman for the Committee on Housing, which oversees housing policy, tenant protection and affordable housing programs.

Norton also faces a primary challenge from Kinney Zalesne, a political strategist and former deputy national finance chair at the Democratic National Convention (DNC), who announced her candidacy in July. 

Zalesne said she welcomes the growing field of additional candidates like White in the race.

“I welcome anyone who chooses to run for office — more voices make our democracy stronger,” Zalesne wrote to The Hoya. “I also encourage D.C. voters to think about the national relationships and experiences needed to make this role all that it could be. I look forward to earning their support.”

White said in the video on social media announcing his candidacy that he is willing to advocate for D.C. residents.

“In this entire Congress, there is one person whose job it is to protect and stand up for our residents, and we need our strongest fighters,” White said. “I’m ready to take this torch.”

White and Norton did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

Many politicians and experts, including her long-time allies, have said Norton, who is 88, is no longer able to represent the District amid increasing pushback from federal authorities. 

Alix Nikolić de Jacinto (SFS ’28), who plans on voting in the D.C. Democratic primary, said D.C. needs a new representative in the House.

“Norton has done a very good job quite consistently but progress has slowed,” Nikolić de Jacinto told The Hoya. “It’s time for fresh ideas for D.C., especially with all the political turbulence we’ve seen.”

Nikolić de Jacinto added that whoever assumes the nonvoting role should find creative ways of advocating for D.C.

“It’s a position with very limited power so you need a go-getter, you need someone who can really deliver innovative ideas,” Nikolić de Jacinto said.

Pabla said D.C. residents must unite to select a congressional candidate who will prioritize the District’s autonomy.

“D.C. needs to come together and vote for a representative who will continue to fight for D.C. Home Rule,” Pabla said.