Interview with Lisa Raymond
Candidate for City Council At-Large
This interview is part of the Ward 2 Democrats Candidate Interview Series, designed to give voters direct insight into the candidates running to represent them. In this conversation, Lisa Raymond discusses her vision for strengthening Washington, DC through experienced, accountable, and community-centered leadership. She outlines her approach to Council priorities including public safety, education, small business support, transportation, housing, childcare, agency accountability, and DC statehood. Raymond also shares how her 30 years of experience in DC government and nonprofits—including service on the Ward 6 Board of Education, as senior education advisor to Council Chairman Kwame Brown, and as chief of staff to Attorney General Karl Racine—inform her commitment to practical problem-solving, strong oversight, and delivering results for residents across the city.
About This Interview
Ward 2 Democrats Chair Howard Garrett and Communications Chair/ANC 2F04 Commissioner Benjamin Dalley interview DC Council At-Large Democratic candidate Lisa Raymond about her background and priorities. Raymond describes 30 years in DC government and nonprofits, including roles on the Ward 6 Board of Education, as senior education advisor to Council Chairman Kwame Brown, and as chief of staff to Attorney General Karl Racine, plus work on youth homelessness, education, reproductive rights, and violence prevention.
She discusses public safety as a public health issue balancing prevention and accountability, support for MPD with strong oversight, civilian mental-health response teams, and re-entry services. She outlines plans to better support small businesses by simplifying licensing and improving workforce pipelines; prioritizes Metro and bus improvements, Vision Zero, sidewalks and snow removal; emphasizes agency accountability and maintenance of public spaces; supports statehood and home rule; advocates building more housing citywide, including workforce and low-income housing; and argues for continued investment in childcare, including educator pay equity and expanding practical access to pre-K3/4.
00:00 Welcome and Introductions
00:52 Meet Lisa Raymond
03:29 Experience and Nonprofits
06:39 Public Safety Priorities
10:02 Reviving Small Business
13:09 Transportation and Vision Zero
16:29 Accountability and Oversight
19:56 Libraries Parks and Public Spaces
22:58 Federal Relations and Home Rule
26:11 Housing and Homelessness
30:04 Equitable Growth and Development
32:59 Budget Deficit and Childcare
37:10 PreK and Charter Facilities
41:26 Closing Remarks
Get Involved With Us
Stay engaged with Ward 2 Democrats and help shape the future of our community.
Volunteer With Us
Support voter outreach, events, and community initiatives.Donate
Help fund our efforts to educate voters and strengthen civic engagement across Ward 2.