Eboni-Rose Thompson

Eboni-Rose Thompson is a member of the District of Columbia State Board of Education, representing Ward 7. She assumed office on January 2, 2021. Her current term ends on January 2, 2029.

Thompson ran for re-election to the District of Columbia State Board of Education to represent Ward 7. She won in the general election on November 5, 2024.

Thompson (Democratic Party) also ran for election to the Washington D.C. City Council to represent Ward 7. She lost in the Democratic primary on June 4, 2024.

Thompson completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Eboni-Rose Thompson was born in Washington, D.C.. Thompson's career experience includes working as an educator. She earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Pennsylvania.^[1]

Elections

2024

State Board of Education Ward 7

General election

General election for District of Columbia State Board of Education Ward 7

Incumbent Eboni-Rose Thompson defeated Toni Criner and Charles Boston in the general election for District of Columbia State Board of Education Ward 7 on November 5, 2024.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Eboni-Rose Thompson (Nonpartisan)	71.7	23,743
	Toni Criner (Nonpartisan)	19.5	6,439
	Charles Boston (Nonpartisan)	7.7	2,545
	Other/Write-in votes	1.1	366

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 33,093
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Sherice Muhammad (Nonpartisan)

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Thompson in this election.

City Council Ward 7

General election

General election for Washington D.C. City Council Ward 7

Wendell Felder defeated Noah Montgomery in the general election for Washington D.C. City Council Ward 7 on November 5, 2024.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Wendell Felder (D)	92.8	32,673
	Noah Montgomery (R)	6.0	2,105
	Other/Write-in votes	1.2	438

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 35,216
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Washington D.C. City Council Ward 7

The following candidates ran in the Democratic primary for Washington D.C. City Council Ward 7 on June 4, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Wendell Felder	23.7	2,914
		Ebony Payne	20.2	2,487
		Eboni-Rose Thompson	20.1	2,471
		Veda Rasheed	9.9	1,215
	Submit photo	Kelvin E. Brown	9.3	1,150
		Nate Fleming	8.7	1,069
		Roscoe Grant Jr.	2.2	268
		Denise Reed	2.0	244
		Villareal Johnson II	2.0	241
		Ebbon A. Allen	1.6	202
		Other/Write-in votes	0.3	41

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 12,302
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Dwight Deloatch (D)
Yolanda Fields (D)

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Washington D.C. City Council Ward 7

Noah Montgomery advanced from the Republican primary for Washington D.C. City Council Ward 7 on June 4, 2024.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Noah Montgomery (Write-in)	1.2	1
	Other/Write-in votes	98.8	85

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 86
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Thompson in this election.

2020

General election

General election for District of Columbia State Board of Education Ward 7

Eboni-Rose Thompson defeated incumbent Karen Williams, Dontrell Smith, and Charles Boston in the general election for District of Columbia State Board of Education Ward 7 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Eboni-Rose Thompson (Nonpartisan)	41.7	13,853
		Karen Williams (Nonpartisan)	26.1	8,659
	Submit photo	Dontrell Smith (Nonpartisan)	24.3	8,079
		Charles Boston (Nonpartisan)	7.1	2,364
		Other/Write-in votes	0.8	260

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 33,215
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Patricia Stamper (Nonpartisan)

Campaign themes

2024

State Board of Education Ward 7

Ballotpedia survey responses

Eboni-Rose Thompson completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Thompson's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

In 2020, Eboni-Rose was elected to represent Ward 7 on the DC State Board of Education, serving in leadership as the Vice President and sitting President. She is deeply connected to her community. As an elected representative, she tirelessly works to ensure every child receives a high-quality education that prepares them for success. Having experienced the challenges families face in providing opportunities for their children, she is driven by a personal commitment to educational excellence.

Eboni-Rose is a proud graduate of DC traditional public and charter schools, all located in Ward 7. Her educational journey includes earning a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania. Her expertise encompasses education policy, advocacy, community engagement, and communications. She brings her passion for equity and community building to her community and philanthropic work, investing in initiatives that promote educational equity and advance policies for excellence in public education. Eboni-Rose brings over 15 years of experience supporting education, government, and social impact organizations across local and national contexts. She has worked in various roles, including at DC Public Schools, Save the Children, America’s Promise Alliance, and Schusterman Family Philanthropies, contributing to local and national education initiatives.

A daughter of Ward 7 and 5th generation Washingtonian, Eboni-Rose was raised and lives in the Fort Dupont community.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Eboni-Rose has a track record of making an impact for Ward 7. In every role she has held, Eboni-Rose has understood the duties and responsibilities of and used her understanding of local issues, collaborative leadership style, advocacy and communications skills to get things done.
In my second term, I will continue to champion resource equity for Ward 7 students by advocating for targeted investments that address longstanding disparities. Modernizing our schools is essential for ensuring students learn in environments that are safe, welcoming, and conducive to academic success. I will push for updated facilities that reflect the latest in educational design, technology, and accessibility, so students are prepared for the demands of the future.
In my second term on the DC State Board of Education, I aim to build on the progress made passing the first ever financial literacy standards and citywide literacy recommendations to create multiple pathways to graduation. These pathways will focus on expanding high-quality education for all students, particularly in special education, career and technical education (also known as CTE or vocational education), and college preparatory tracks. By doing so, we will provide students with more individualized options to succeed, regardless of their post-graduation goals.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Education, Health, Economic Justice

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I look up to my mom. She’s a D.C. Public School (DCPS) teacher now, but she wasn’t always in the classroom. Long before she became a teacher, my mom was an electrician, and she wired some of the hotel rooms downtown. In fact, she met my stepdad when they worked together at PEPCO.

One of my most vivid memories is watching her work her way through college at the University of the District of Columbia when I was a child. I remember being at her graduation and feeling so proud of her determination. She showed me firsthand that people can fulfill their dreams with the right support, hard work, and opportunities.

Her journey is one of the reasons I believe so strongly in multiple pathways to success in education. Everyone’s journey is different, and there should be various routes available to meet people where they are. My mom’s example has shaped my belief that education should be flexible and accessible, empowering students to pursue their own dreams, whether that’s a traditional academic path, career and technical education, or something else entirely.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

If someone wants to understand my political philosophy, I would recommend two powerful works: *Parable of the Sower* by Octavia Butler and *The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks*. *Parable of the Sower* paints a vivid picture of community, resilience, and the power of vision. Butler’s protagonist, Lauren Olamina, imagines a future where individuals and communities must create their own pathways to survival, reflecting my belief in community-driven solutions and the importance of foresight, empathy, and adaptability in leadership. It’s a story about building something better amid chaos, a philosophy that mirrors my approach to education equity and community empowerment in Ward 7.

Similarly, *The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks* dives into the often-overlooked side of Rosa Parks, highlighting her lifelong activism and refusal to conform to the limited image of her as just the quiet woman who refused to give up her seat. Her commitment to justice, even when it was uncomfortable or risky, resonates with me deeply. Mrs. Parks’ defiance and resilience are reminders that true leadership often requires courage, sacrifice, and standing firm in the face of opposition. Both of these works underscore the importance of persistence, the fight for justice, and the belief that change is possible when we take bold action.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

I believe in the power of unity and empathy, in the strength that comes from understanding and lifting each other up. We can create a community where the richness of our neighborhoods are not only celebrated, but are a vibrant tapestry that makes us stronger and more resilient. Together, let’s strive for progress that is not exclusive or selective, but accessible and beneficial to every member of our community.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

The mission of the State Board is to provide policy leadership, support, advocacy, and oversight of public education to ensure that every student is valued and learns the skills and knowledge necessary to become an informed, competent, and contributing global citizen. Essentially, the State Board works to make sure our kids are prepared for their dreams.

I went to elementary, middle, and high school in Ward 7. I know firsthand that my childhood friends and college friends were not offered the same educational opportunities. I ran to represent Ward 7 on the State Board of Education because I believe we must prepare all our children to take advantage of the opportunities before them, and I want to work to make that possible for children who went to the schools that I went to, in the part of the city that I grew up in, and still call home. Preparation is the issue I want to solve, and representing Ward 7 on the State Board is my opportunity to help solve it.

Our job as members of the DC State Board of Education is to focus on what our kids learn today that will prepare them for tomorrow. We are responsible for setting high school graduation requirements and learning standards for all students in DC. As a representative I also push for investments in education in Ward 7.

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

I believe financial transparency and government accountability are of the utmost importance, especially as tools for achieving equity for underserved communities like the one I represent in Ward 7. Without transparency, it becomes far too easy for resources to be misallocated or for certain communities to be overlooked. For Ward 7, this can mean the difference between receiving the necessary funding for modernized schools, wrap-around services, and high-quality programming or continuing to lag behind other parts of the city.

Ensuring accountability in how public funds are spent is crucial to building trust between the government and the communities it serves. I advocate for clear, accessible reporting on budget allocations and spending, particularly in areas like education, where equitable distribution of resources can have a life-changing impact. When we know where the money is going, we can better advocate for our fair share and hold decision-makers accountable if our needs aren't being met. In Ward 7, we deserve the same level of investment as any other part of the city, and financial transparency is key to making that happen.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

City Council Ward 7

Ballotpedia survey responses

Eboni-Rose Thompson did not complete Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.

2020

Eboni-Rose Thompson completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Thompson's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a native Washingtonian, born and raised in Ward 7, and product of DCPS and DC Charter Schools. I went on to earn my degree from the University of Pennsylvania. After graduating I returned home to work for DC Public Schools. As a DCPS employee, I was able to serve my neighborhood elementary school, the same elementary school I attended from PreK through 5th grade.

I am running for the Ward 7 State Board of Education seat because I know firsthand that the children who I went to elementary through high school with, do not have the same opportunities as the young people I graduated from college with. As a policy board, the SBOE focuses on the high school graduation requirements and academic standards. I share the SBOE vision that we prepare all students with the skills, knowledge and abilities to lead productive lives as engaged citizens within any community.

We are currently a city with some of the most PhDs per capita in the country and one of the lowest high school graduation rates. That is only true because those are not the same people. Those numbers tell the story of our city not educating our kids to a standard where they are fully participate in our city's economy and democracy. As the next Ward 7 representative on the State Board of Education, I want to work to close that gap.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

I believe every child deserves a high quality school in their neighborhood.
I am from Ward 7 and want to continue working for Ward 7.
I have been on the ground fighting for education equity for the last 10 years.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I believe every child should be guaranteed a high quality education. That means a high quality school in their neighborhood. In order to make that a reality, we must invest in our schools fully, fairly, and equitably in order to give every child what they need, but more importantly provide for the children whose needs are not already being met. Starting in Ward 7 is my priority. Growing up here, working for and with the school system here, I have seen the students who grow up in my community not get their fair share.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

Campaign finance summary

Ballotpedia currently provides campaign finance data for all federal- and state-level candidates from 2020 and later. We are continuously working to expand our data to include prior elections. That information will be published here as we acquire it. If you would like to help us provide this data, please consider donating to Ballotpedia.

External links

Search Google News for this topic

Candidate

Washington D.C. City Council Ward 7

Personal

Footnotes

↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on October 3, 2024

Political offices
Preceded by Karen Williams	District of Columbia State Board of Education Ward 7 2021-Present	Succeeded by -

[1] Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on October 3, 2024

[1]

Eboni-Rose Thompson

Biography

Elections

2024

State Board of Education Ward 7

General election

General election for District of Columbia State Board of Education Ward 7

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Endorsements

City Council Ward 7

General election

General election for Washington D.C. City Council Ward 7

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Washington D.C. City Council Ward 7

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Washington D.C. City Council Ward 7

Endorsements

2020

General election

General election for District of Columbia State Board of Education Ward 7

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Campaign themes

2024

State Board of Education Ward 7

Ballotpedia survey responses

City Council Ward 7

Ballotpedia survey responses

2020

Campaign finance summary

See also

External links

Footnotes

Information about voting

2025 Elections

2026 Elections

2024 Election analysis

Trending

Public Policy

Information for candidates

Get Engaged

Services

Additional analysis

SITE NAVIGATION