Sheila Bunn

Sheila Bunn (Democratic Party) ran in a special election to the Washington D.C. City Council to represent Ward 8. She lost in the special general election on July 15, 2025.

Bunn completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Sheila Bunn was born in District of Columbia. She earned a bachelor's degree from The American University in 1994 and a graduate degree from Trinity Washington University in 2004. Her career experience includes working as a public servant.^[1]

Bunn has been affiliated with the following organizations:^[1]

D.C. Democratic Party
Martha’s Table
Far Southeast Family Strengthening Collaborative
William O. Lockridge Community Foundation
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority

Elections

2025

General election

Special general election for Washington D.C. City Council Ward 8

The following candidates ran in the special general election for Washington D.C. City Council Ward 8 on July 15, 2025.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Trayon White (D)	27.7	2,392
		Sheila Bunn (D)	24.8	2,140
		Mike Austin (D)	24.4	2,103
		Salim Adofo (D)	22.4	1,932
		Oliver Roy (D) (Write-in)	0.0	0
	Submit photo	Mary Roach (D) (Write-in)	0.0	0
	Submit photo	Delonte Ford Singh (R) (Write-in)	0.0	0
		Other/Write-in votes	0.7	63

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 8,630
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Bunn in this election.

2015

See also: Washington, D.C. municipal elections, 2015

The city of Washington, D.C. held special elections for city council on April 28, 2015. The filing deadline for candidates who wished to run in this election was January 28, 2015.^[2]

In the election to fill the Ward 8 seat of the late Marion Barry, LaRuby May defeated Jauhar Abraham, Stuart Anderson, Karlene Armstead, Marion C. Barry, Nate Bennett Fleming, Sheila Bunn, Greta Fuller, Eugene D. Kinlow, Anthony Muhammad, Genora Akosua Reed, "S.S." Sandra Seegars, Keita Vanterpool, Leonard Watson, Sr., Trayon "WardEight" White and Natalie Williams.^[3]^[4]^[5]

Washington, D.C., City Council, Ward 8, 2015
Candidate	Vote %	Votes
LaRuby May	27%	1,955
Trayon "WardEight" White	25.9%	1,877
Sheila Bunn	10.2%	741
Eugene D. Kinlow	9.6%	693
Natalie Williams	9.4%	683
Marion C. Barry	7.6%	554
"S.S." Sandra Seegars	4.6%	331
Anthony Muhammad	1.7%	123
Leonard Watson, Sr.	1.7%	123
Greta Fuller	1.4%	100
Keita Vanterpool	0.6%	46
Jauhar Abraham	0.2%	17
Stuart Anderson	0.1%	10
Total Votes		5,949
Source: DC Board of Elections, "Official election results," accessed May 18, 2015

Campaign themes

2025

Ballotpedia survey responses

Sheila Bunn completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Bunn'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.

With deep community roots, robust government experience, and strong relationships across D.C. leadership, I am uniquely qualified to represent Ward 8 on the DC Council. A lifelong resident of Ward 8, I grew up in Congress Heights and currently live in Bellevue. Raised by community activist parents and now a single mother raising my daughter in the same community, I intimately understand our residents' lived experiences. My public service spans over 30 years on Capitol Hill, in DC government, and at the DC Council. As Chief of Staff to Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, I managed district operations, championed DC Statehood, and worked on significant policy and legislation like the expansion of DC's Home Rule and the creation of the DC Tuition Assistance Grant (DCTAG). As Deputy Chief of Staff to Mayor Vincent C. Gray and Chief of Staff to Councilmember Gray, I shaped policies impacting Ward 8, such as the St. Elizabeths East Redevelopment. My efforts helped to bring housing, jobs, retail, the CareFirst Arena, and Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center to our community. At the Office of the People’s Counsel, I ensured fair and affordable utility services for residents. I serve on the boards of Martha’s Table and the Far SE Family Strengthening Collaborative and co-chair the William O. Lockridge Community Foundation Events Committee, raising substantial funds for families and youth in Ward 8. My extensive governance experience means I can hit the ground running on day 1.

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?

Ward 8 is my home, my community, and my purpose. I’m running for DC Council because our families deserve real investment, strong schools, safer neighborhoods, and true economic opportunity.
This isn’t just a campaign—it’s my commitment to fight for the resources and respect our community deserves. I’m fighting for our youth, our families, our seniors, and those who feel like they don’t have a seat at the table. I want to help foster positive and effective local governance and bring together neighborhoods, businesses and government to improve lives and build economic wealth for our Ward 8 families and businesses.
Together, we can build a stronger Ward 8.
Sheila’s Ward 8 Priorities: ✓ Ensuring public resources are used wisely and transparently and that government serves the people ✓ Increasing access to stable, affordable, and healthy food options ✓ Fighting for equitable investments in all of our Ward 8 public schools, competitive teacher salaries, and wraparound services for our students ✓ Fostering safe communities ✓ Expanding access to homeownership, working to make housing safe and affordable, and providing resources that allow seniors to age in place ✓ Providing our small businesses with the tools they need to remain competitive and expand
The Ward 8 Special Election is July 15th and the fight for equity, accountability, and dignity in leadership is on the line. I have spent decades in service to our community delivering for families, fighting for students, and advancing ethical, transparent government. I’ll bring real solutions to our schools, housing, and public safety. It’s time for leadership we can trust. ✅ Vote Sheila Bunn by July 15th!
1. Bunn4Ward8 #Vote3

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Overall, I am passionate about crafting equitable, community-centered solutions across public safety, education, housing, economic opportunity, food access, and efficient governance. I am especially focused on enhancing the well‑being and upward mobility of Ward 8 residents.

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

Community advocacy is deeply personal to me. Growing up, my dad was my first example of advocacy.

James Bunn was not native to DC but in 1970, he chose Ward 8 as his home and worked to ensure that his neighbors had a proverbial "seat at the table" when it came to all issues affecting Ward 8. He fought tirelessly to ensure that Ward 8 businesses had access to the support and resources they needed to remain competitive and expand. My dad was my first mentor who taught me many values and principals of hard work and dedication which I’ve carried with me my whole life. He instilled in me a love for Ward 8 and the passion to be a voice for my community. I strive to be like my dad and make a meaningful difference in the lives of my Ward 8 neighbors.

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

What matters most to me in a leader is integrity, vision, and results. As the next Ward 8 Councilmember, I will lead with honesty, listen with empathy, and fight every day to deliver real change for Ward 8. I believe leadership means being accountable, accessible, and unafraid to take bold stands when our future is on the line. My commitment is to equity, justice, and collaboration because our families deserve policies that uplift everyone, not just a few. Together, we’ll build a Ward 8 that works for everyone.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I a committed and accomplished public servant with an extensive record of achievement in government, politics, and community advocacy. With deep roots in Washington, D.C., I have dedicated my career to advancing ethical, transparent government and policies and programs that uplift communities, promote equity, and strengthen democratic engagement.

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

The core responsibility of the Ward 8 Councilmember is to champion and deliver policies that directly support his/her constituents. Further, the councilmember's job includes advocating for better education, safer communities, access to healthcare, affordable housing, and economic opportunities, especially, for our families and youth. Supporting our students and families means investing in the long-term success of our community. Legislation that boosts education funding, provides after-school programs, improves school facilities, or increases family services can lead to better outcomes for children and a stronger Ward overall.

When you elect me as the next Ward 8 Councilmember, you’re choosing someone to be your fighter at the DC Council. Someone who will write laws that reflect our values, demand our fair share of the budget, and make sure the voices of our families are heard loud and clear. This is about holding agencies accountable when they fall short and delivering real change you can feel in our schools, our streets, and our day-to-day lives. I’m running because I believe Ward 8 deserves leadership that shows up, speaks up, and never gives up for you, for our children, and for the future we all deserve.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

Yes, it is generally beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics. The best legislators often combine both deep community roots and a functional understanding of how government works. Experienced legislators are often more familiar with how laws are made, budget negotiations, and committee structures. This can make them more effective from day one. Having prior political or government roles often means existing relationships with stakeholders, agencies, and colleagues which are useful for building coalitions and getting things done.

Previous experience helps legislators understand how to work with agencies to implement legislation or address constituent concerns. They may be more adept at helping residents navigate government services and resolving issues through existing channels. Experienced lawmakers often know how to frame issues, build public support, and navigate political pressure more effectively.

My extensive governance experience means I can hit the ground running on day one. I understand how the Congress, Mayor’s Office, and DC Council operate and already have strong relationships with current Councilmembers. If elected, I would bring no learning curve, deep local insight, and the ability to leverage citywide networks, ensuring Ward 8 gets both resources and representation from day one.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Yes. Change in Ward 8 doesn’t happen in a vacuum. To pass laws and secure funding, we need support from at least six other Councilmembers. Relationships matter and they translate into real results. Whether it's funding for new recreation centers, school modernizations, or violence prevention programs, collaboration helps Ward 8 get its fair share. Issues like Metro reliability, housing affordability, and hospital access cross ward lines. By working with my colleagues, we can tackle citywide problems that hit Ward 8 hardest.

I'll use the relationships I've built over the last eight years working at the DC Council to make sure Ward 8 isn’t overlooked. With my experience in city government, I understand how to turn a conversation into a commitment and a commitment into a result for our community.

Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

Former Ward 8 Councilmember, the late Wilhelmina Rolark

Former Congresswoman, the late Shirley Chisholm

Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

To Name A Few:

National Organization for Women - DC Chapter
DC Women in Politics
At-Large Councilmember Robert White, Jr.
Jacque Patterson, President of the DC State Board of Education and Ward 8 Parent
Markus Batchelor, former Ward 8 Representative & Vice Chair of the DC State Board of Education and Bellevue Resident
Wanda Lockridge, Washington Highlands Resident
Katie Shephard, Washington Highlands Resident

Theresa Kelly, Bellevue Resident

What committees interest you?

Committee on Business & Economic Development

Committee on Health
Committee on the Judiciary & Public Safety
Committee on Housing

Committee on Youth Affairs

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

Financial transparency isn’t just about numbers, it’s about trust. Government should be accountable not just at election time, but every day. Every dollar spent should be trackable, every decision explainable, and every leader answerable to the people they serve.

Residents deserve to know how every public dollar is spent, who is getting paid, and what results they’re getting in return. I support participatory budgeting and open data platforms so residents can help guide investments in schools, safety, and housing. I believe in publishing plain-language budget summaries and dashboards that anyone can understand. We must have strict ethics rules and full disclosure of financial interests to prevent corruption and favoritism. I support performance-based budgeting and outcome tracking so programs are judged on what they accomplish, not just what they cost. I will champion citizen oversight boards, public forums, and online feedback tools to keep government honest and responsive.

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.

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Candidate

Washington D.C. City Council Ward 8

Personal

Footnotes

[bio-1] 1.0 ^1.1 Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on July 3, 2025

[2] District of Columbia Board of Elections, "April 28, 2015 Special Election to Fill Vacancies in the Offices of Ward 4 and Ward 8 Members of the Council of the District of Columbia Calendar of Important Dates and Deadlines," accessed February 2, 2015

[3] District of Columbia Board of Elections, "List of Candidates in the April 28, 2015 Ward 4 and Ward 8 Members of the Council Special Election," accessed February 2, 2015

[4] District of Columbia Board of Elections, "2015 Special Election Results," accessed April 28, 2015

[5] The Washington Post, "Bowser ally LaRuby May victorious in Ward 8 council race by a 1.09% margin," May 8, 2015

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Sheila Bunn

Contents

Biography

Elections

2025

General election

Special general election for Washington D.C. City Council Ward 8

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Endorsements

2015

Campaign themes

2025

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also

External links

Footnotes

Information about voting

2025 Elections

2026 Elections

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