Race brief
Shadow SenatorDistrict of Columbia
What the office does
DC’s shadow senators and representative advocate for statehood and report to residents on its progress in Congress. They hold no seat or vote in Congress and receive no federal pay. These offices give residents elected advocates who bring the District’s statehood request to members of Congress.
The race, Oct 19, 2026
Strauss secured the Democratic nomination in June without a named primary opponent; no public poll or comparable current campaign-cash totals were verified for his matchup with Simmons. The 2022 general election did not include this Senate seat, so it supplies no same-seat baseline.
Editorial assessment, drafted by a model and reviewed by the owner Oct 19, 2026. Quotes are verbatim; every other line is an editorial judgement with its sources.
In their own words
Simmons
D.C. needs policies that foster entrepreneurship, reduce overregulation, and provide tax relief to encourage business growth. As Shadow Senator, I will push for pro-business policies that benefit both small businesses and large employers in D.C.
In context
Public safety is a cornerstone of a thriving community. I stand with our law enforcement officers and believe in strong policies that protect our neighborhoods. Criminal justice reform should focus on rehabilitation, but also on maintaining a safe and just environment for all citizens.
D.C. needs policies that foster entrepreneurship, reduce overregulation, and provide tax relief to encourage business growth. As Shadow Senator, I will push for pro-business policies that benefit both small businesses and large employers in D.C.
It's time to address the growing financial challenges in D.C. I will work to ensure that taxpayer dollars are spent wisely, and our local government operates more efficiently and transparently.
It's time to address the growing financial challenges in D.C. I will work to ensure that taxpayer dollars are spent wisely, and our local government operates more efficiently and transparently.
In context
D.C. needs policies that foster entrepreneurship, reduce overregulation, and provide tax relief to encourage business growth. As Shadow Senator, I will push for pro-business policies that benefit both small businesses and large employers in D.C.
It's time to address the growing financial challenges in D.C. I will work to ensure that taxpayer dollars are spent wisely, and our local government operates more efficiently and transparently.
I believe in parental choice and the right to choose the best education for our children. I will advocate for school choice programs, improve local education funding, and work to make D.C.'s schools more competitive.
I believe in parental choice and the right to choose the best education for our children. I will advocate for school choice programs, improve local education funding, and work to make D.C.'s schools more competitive.
In context
It's time to address the growing financial challenges in D.C. I will work to ensure that taxpayer dollars are spent wisely, and our local government operates more efficiently and transparently.
I believe in parental choice and the right to choose the best education for our children. I will advocate for school choice programs, improve local education funding, and work to make D.C.'s schools more competitive.
Advocating for the rights of D.C. residents.
Strauss
Today a US Senate Committee advanced a resolution overturning a budget passed by the @councilofdc which will have a devastating impact on DC’s budget. I appreciate @senatedems voting against this measure, but the #Republican majority in the Senate will move to the #Senate floor.
Because #DC lacks #Statehood, attacks on our #democracy like this one by #Trump threatening a new D.C. takeover is the kind of stupidity that DC residents are subjected to all too often. DC #voters will not be intimidated by Trump’s threats.
DC is already a clean, safe and beautiful place. Violent Crime is at historically low levels, and #Trump’s plan to “federalize” our police department is a needless attempt to distract from other news, and not warranted by actual facts.
The read
Simmons
A Republican small-business owner proposing statehood advocacy alongside tax relief, school choice and support for police; the central question is how those local promises translate into a congressional advocacy office.
Sources 7
If elected
Simmons
Advocate for DC statehood and full congressional voting rights, pursuing the representation goal he explicitly embraces; admission would still depend on Congress.
Use the office's public platform to press for business tax relief and fewer regulations; the shadow senator cannot enact tax changes.
Advocate school-choice programs and increased local education funding for DC families; school budgets and program decisions would remain with officials who have governing authority.
Strauss
Continue the 51 Stars campaign and outreach through the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization to build support for statehood; neither effort supplies a congressional vote.
Oppose congressional resolutions overturning DC budget decisions, extending his public objections to the February Senate committee action; he cannot vote to block such resolutions.
Continue advocating against federal control of DC policing, as he did in August 2025; residents would gain a public opponent of intervention, not an official commanding police.
Party and independence
Simmons
He describes himself as a conservative Republican supporting smaller government, tax relief and police, while also explicitly supporting DC statehood; the record here does not establish a party voting history.
Sources 7
Best case for
Simmons
His combination of business experience and an explicit statehood commitment offers representation advocates a conservative messenger with a stated agenda on taxes, schools and public safety.
Best case against
Simmons
Much of his platform concerns taxes, schools and local administration that this office cannot change directly; he gives no named tax bill or school-choice program to distinguish advocacy from results.
Still open
Simmons
Which members of Congress would he recruit for statehood, and what concrete legislative request would he make first?
Sources 7
Strauss
What new congressional commitments would demonstrate progress from the 51 Stars and international campaigns during another term?
Sources 8
Sources
- DC Council · DC Code §1-123, Statehood convention and elected representativesApr 27, 2012 legal
- U.S. Commission on Civil Rights · The District of Columbia: An OverviewJan 1, 1992 official
- U.S. Government Publishing Office · Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026, Division E §804Feb 3, 2026 legal
- DC Board of Elections · June 2026 certified results, precinct CSVJul 17, 2026 official
- DC Board of Elections · 2022 general election certified resultsDec 14, 2023 official
- DC Office of Campaign Finance · Financial Reports Searchread Oct 19, 2026 official
- Robert Simmons · campaign siteread Oct 19, 2026 campaign
- Paul Strauss · About Senator Paul Straussread Oct 19, 2026 campaign
- Paul Strauss · X postFeb 4, 2026 direct
- Paul Strauss · X postJun 12, 2026 direct
- Paul Strauss · X postAug 11, 2025 direct
- MidCity DC News · The Election Isn’t Over Yet: The CandidatesOct 13, 2026 reported