Incumbent
Who will win the 2026 DC Democratic Mayoral Primary?
$80.9K
JUN 17, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleCouncil Member
PartyIndependent
Political ideologyProgressive Independent
Age40 years old (Oct 10, 1985)
GenderFemale
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LocationDistrict of Columbia
BackgroundPolitician
EducationFurman University — BA, Political Science
Notable personal detailsChristina Henderson is an at-large member of the Council of the District of Columbia, serving since January 2021, and chairs the Council’s Committee on Health. Before joining the Council, she worked in D.C. government and education policy, including as deputy chief of staff to Councilmember David Grosso and as a legislative assistant to U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer. She earned a B.A. in political science from Furman University and a Master in Public Affairs from Princeton University. She lives in Petworth with her husband and two daughters.
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Positions
Economy & Taxes
Supports tax increases on higher-income residents and expansion of targeted tax credits and credits for low- and moderate-income households. Has voted with colleagues to raise marginal tax rates on high earners and backed local child tax credit and Earned Income Tax Credit expansions.
Healthcare
Supports expanding and protecting access to affordable, high-quality health care in the District, including defending Medicaid/DC Health Link and pursuing programmatic expansions (e.g., medical respite, food access, provider rate increases) through the Council’s Health Committee. Has criticized federal proposals that would reduce coverage and has overseen actions to increase supports for vulnerable residents.
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Immigration & Border
Supports policies that expand access and protections for immigrants in the District, including creating a scholarship program for undocumented DC high school graduates to attend higher education. Advocates for investment in immigrant youth to improve economic opportunity within the District.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Supports unrestricted access to abortion and has sponsored legislation to protect people who self-manage abortions and those who assist them; she has framed the District as a jurisdiction that should be a safe haven for individuals seeking reproductive health care.
Climate & Energy
Supports local climate resilience and clean-energy/transportation initiatives, emphasizing sustainable, equitable transportation planning and heat/cooling resilience. Advocates for climate preparedness and has received recognition for climate leadership while serving on regional transportation planning bodies. Policy emphasis is on clean energy incentives, multimodal transit, and adapting the District to increased heat and flooding risks rather than phasing out fossil fuels immediately.
Public Safety & Guns
Supports a multi-pronged public safety approach that combines violence-interruption programs, expanded prevention and youth engagement, and targeted enforcement efforts; engages with law enforcement and federal partners on gun and drug enforcement while opposing defunding. Has sponsored and supported legislation and budget items to fund violence prevention and police oversight, and has expressed support for certain provisions in bills addressing gun violence and carjackings.
News
Christina Henderson is in the news as one of the Democratic candidates running for D.C. mayor ahead of the June 16 primary. The campaign has centered on public safety and juvenile curfew policy after recent disturbances in Navy Yard, and candidates have been debating how to respond. She has also been part of recent forums where candidates discussed how they would handle federal involvement in city affairs and President Donald Trump.
DC mayoral hopefuls face-off at community forum
How will DC’s next mayor deal with President Trump?
DC mayoral candidates to debate after another weekend with 'teen takeovers'
Why doctors are jumping into politics right now | The Excerpt
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Polls
- Endorsements
- Fundraising