Why I’m Running

I’ve lived in 1A03 since 2019 and have come to care a lot about Columbia Heights. I’m running because I want to help make progress on housing, vacant and blighted properties, better transportation, and the small everyday annoyances that we barely register consciously but that still affect our lives. I want residents to have a commissioner who follows those issues closely, communicates clearly, and makes it easier to navigate the District government when something on their block needs attention.

About Me

I’m a first-time ANC candidate. I was born and raised on the Iowa/Illinois border and went to college at the University of Iowa. I then went to Yale University where I was on the Graduate Student Assembly (student government) for all 5 years, including a six-month stint on the Executive Steering Committee. I discovered two planets and graduated with a PhD in astronomy. While studying for my PhD, I realized my true passion was policy.

I moved to DC in 2017 before I even had a job offer, but soon landed the Presidential Management Fellowship (RIP). I was a civilian Operations Research Analyst at the Air Force for 3 years, during which I did a six-month detail on the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology on the Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics. I left the Air Force in 2020, but still work as an operations research analyst.

I have a PhD in astronomy and a professional background in quantitative analysis and public policy. Much of my work has involved taking complicated information, identifying the important questions, and explaining the results clearly to decision-makers. I think those skills translate well to the practical work of an ANC commissioner.

Outside of work and neighborhood issues, I enjoy watching movies and playing badminton and tennis (at our very own Powell Recreation Center Tennis Courts) and also spend a fair amount of time running around the Mall or at the New York Sports Club.

Priorities for 1A03

Housing and Development

I support adding more housing in ANC 1A, including both market-rate and income-restricted affordable housing. The neighborhood has excellent access to transit, jobs, stores, and other amenities, and I think more people should have the opportunity to live here if they want.

I especially support making better use of vacant, condemned, and underused properties. There is a condemned building in 1A03 that should be demolished and replaced with housing, and there are other sites in and around the Single Member District (SMD) where property can be better used, whether it be housing or something else.

Vacant and Underused Properties

One of the most visible problems in this part of Columbia Heights is the number of vacant storefronts, particularly along Irving Street.

The former Lou’s, Wawa, Five Below, and CVS spaces are all prominent examples. Empty commercial spaces deprive the neighborhood of potential food or amenities and make the neighborhood feel less active.

I want the ANC to stay engaged with property owners, District agencies, and prospective businesses to understand why these spaces remain vacant and what can realistically be done to bring them back into productive use.

Transportation and Street Safety

I personally use several modes of transportation: the Metro, the bus, walking, and my personal car. I know others use bikes, e-bikes, scooters, and mopeds. I’ve even seen horses and a unicyclist on DC streets. Transportation policy should work for everyone (although maybe without an emphasis on the horses). I support making it easier and safer to travel through both the neighborhood and the city without a car. Transportation should be safe and easy for people of every age and ability.

I want transportation decisions to be based on actual conditions, safety, and the needs of the community rather than treating any one mode of transportation as the only priority.

Public Space and Quality of Life

A lot of ANC work involves issues that are not glamorous but have a real effect on whether a neighborhood is pleasant to live in.

That includes trash, rats, poorly maintained properties, sidewalks, streetlights, trees, public spaces, noise, and similar day-to-day concerns. I want residents to be able to contact me about these problems and know that I will either work on them directly or help connect them with the right District agency.

I also care about protecting the neighborhood’s natural environment, including addressing invasive species such as spotted lanternflies when practical.

Responsive and Transparent Representation

I want residents to know what their commissioner is doing without having to spend hours following ANC meetings.

I plan to make it easy to find information about upcoming issues, explain significant votes and proposals in plain language, and provide clear ways for residents to contact me.

When an issue directly affects a particular block, building, business, or group of residents, I also think the commissioner should make a reasonable effort to hear from the people most affected before taking a position.

Endorsements

Endorsed by Greater Greater Washington (GGWash) and DC YIMBYS.

Candidate Questionnaires

If you want to know more about where I stand on specific issues, I have completed several candidate questionnaires. I’ll add them here as they are published.

Greater Greater Washington

The mission of GGWash is to achieve policy change through advocacy and organizing to advance racial, economic, and environmental justice in land use, transportation, and housing throughout Greater Washington.

Read my Questionnaire answers here.

DC YIMBYs

DC YIMBYs (Yes In My Back Yard) is committed to making housing in Washington DC accessible and affordable for all by advocating for diverse housing options and increased density.

[Link to Questionnaire will be added once published.]

DC Voters for Animals.

DC Voters for Animals is a political organization that coalesces the voice of the animal voter in Washington, DC.

[Link to Questionnaire will be added once published.]

League of Women Voters of D.C.

The League of Women Voters District of Columbia, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.

[Link to Questionnaire will be added once published.]

(Disclaimer: This page and only this page constitutes my ANC website. All other pages are for personal use.)

(This webpage is paid for by Joseph Schmitt of 1401 Columbia Rd NW, Washington, DC 20009.
A copy of my campaign finance report will be filed with the Director of Campaign Finance of the District of Columbia Board of Elections.)