March 16, 2026
Contact: Mark Rodeffer, mark.rodeffer@sierraclub.org
The Sierra Club is proud to endorse three environmental leaders who have worked consistently over the last four years to cut pollution across DC: Ward 3 Councilmember Matt Frumin, Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker, and Attorney General Brian Schwalb.
Councilmember Frumin co-sponsored nearly all of the Sierra Club’s priority legislation on clean energy, zero waste, sustainable transportation, and replacing lead water pipes.
“Matt Frumin deeply understands the need to decarbonize DC, starting with getting polluting fossil fuels out of our homes and other buildings,” said Lara Levison, chair of the Sierra Club DC Chapter’s Energy Committee. “Councilmember Frumin is working to expand geothermal heat pump networks that efficiently heat buildings, lowering energy use and utility bills. We look forward to working with him to expand zero-emissions heating and cooling systems that save money for taxpayers and DC families.”
Councilmember Parker is the environmental justice leader on the DC Council, writing legislation to cut pollution from industrial facilities in Ward 5 and co-sponsoring legislation to reduce climate, plastic, and lead pollution.
“Zachary Parker has a steadfast commitment to environmental justice in Ward 5 and across the District,” said Mark Rodeffer, chair of the chapter’s Political Committee. “Unlike the previous Ward 5 councilmember, Zachary Parker doesn’t just talk about environmental justice, he gets things done. Councilmember Parker introduced legislation to build a climate resilience hub in Ward 5 where people can cool off during extreme heat, charge devices during power outages, and access emergency supplies amid disasters. He wrote legislation requiring analysis of environmental and health burdens for those seeking permits for projects that may pollute overburdened neighborhoods.”
Attorney General Schwalb won the largest settlement in an environmental lawsuit in DC history, with Pepco paying $57 million for decades of illegal toxic discharges that contaminated the Anacostia River.
“Brian Schwalb has built a strong record holding polluters accountable,” said Susan Schorr, chair of the chapter’s Zero Waste Committee. “He’s taken legal action against chemical companies, DC's electric utility, the federal government, and other polluters who contaminated the Anacostia River and fouled our air, water, and neighborhoods. In his next term, we look forward to working with Attorney General Schwalb to ensure that all DC restaurants comply with the utensils-on-request law for take-out and delivery food to cut down on plastic pollution.”
The Sierra Club is evaluating candidates in other 2026 races in DC and plans to make additional endorsements. The primary election is Tuesday, June 16, with early voting centers open from Monday, June 8 to Sunday, June 14.
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters and approximately 7,000 members and supporters in DC. We work to promote clean energy, expand sustainable transportation, reduce waste, and safeguard our rivers and drinking water. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org/dc.