ANC6B’s Chander Jayaraman Will Not Seek Re-Election

Chander Jayaraman marched with the Capitol Hill Little League in the Barracks Row July 4th Parade. Jayaraman coaches the team.

ANC6B’s Chander Jayaraman Will Not Seek Re-Election

by Larry Janezich

Posted July 31, 2024

Long-serving ANC6B commissioner and former chair of ANC6B, Chander Jayaraman announced today he will not seek re-election. 

He joins Frank D’Andrea, 6B04; Kasie Durkit, 6B05, Edward Ryder, 6B08; and Matt LaFortune, 6B09; who have also announced their decision not to run again.

In a statement, Jayaraman said, “It has been my honor and privilege to serve on ANC 6B and represent the amazing residents of Capitol Hill and HillEast over the past 14 years. During these years, I have worked with Commissioners from diverse backgrounds and perspectives who shared a common goal – to make the SE quadrant of Capitol Hill a great place to live and call home. While the Commissioners did not always agree on every issue, we always respected each other’s views and worked to come to a consensus on issues of concern to our residents.  Some of my accomplishments over the past 14 years include helping neighbors navigate the DC bureaucracy to get things done, establishing best practices for restaurants and taverns to be successful while being good neighbors, and fighting for our residents when the ideas of city agencies don’t make sense.  I have also had the pleasure of meeting countless numbers of amazing and accomplished residents who makeup our diverse neighborhood.

Unfortunately, the impact of the ANC continues to be eroded and our voices are diminished by District agencies who think they know what is best for the residents we represent.  Too often now, city agencies view the ANC as a hurdle to overcome rather than a partner to work with – this is especially true of DDOT, ABCA, and the Office of Zoning.  I have fought hard to hold agencies responsible for their actions or inaction to the detriment of our neighborhoods but the rate at which agencies are increasingly ignoring ANC input or view attending an ANC meeting as a box to check off to say they received public input is frustrating.  This continues to get more and more prevalent which is one of the reasons I have decided not to seek reelection.  I will continue to be available to future Commissioners and residents who want advice or guidance.”

Candidates have until August 7 to turn in petitions to get on the ballot for the November election.

Candidates who have picked up petitions are as follows (* indicates incumbent):

• 6B01 Frank Avery*
• 6B02 Gerald Sroufe*
• 6B03 David Sobelsohn*
• 6B04 None
• 6B05 None
• 6B06 Burl Haigwood
• 6B06 Anna Krebs
• 6B07 Vince Mareino*
• 6B08 None
• 6B09 Karen Hughes

(Note the contested race in ANC6B06.)

Go here for more info on becoming a candidate:  https://dcboe.org/candidates/anc-advisory-neighborhood-commissioners