As you fill out your ballot, you may want to know more about our most important yet most underrated local races: the Single Member District ANC commissionership! These brave and generous souls volunteer their time to make sure we can have good governance at the most local level. Meet your ANC candidates and let us know if you have any questions! The candidates’ answers have been lightly edited for clarity. Don’t know YOUR Single Member District? Click here and find it! ––María Helena Carey
Your name
Sam Sanders
Your ANC single member district
ANC 6/8F05
What is a landmark people may know your SMD from?
Our specific ANC district has many great landmarks! From entertainment options like the Capital City Circus school to fantastic restaurant options like Any Day Now, Ama, and Side Door Pizza to great bars like Scarlet Oak and Smoke & Mirrors, we have a hotel for visitors, AC Hotel Capitol Hill by Marriott, and a gym, Orangetheory Fitness. We also support a local liquor store, Harry’s Reserve, and a Dog Daycare, Atlas Dog House.
Why are you running for ANC?
I was drawn to running based on three priorities: increasing safe fun for our community, having a leader who is actually accessible, and creating a more livable Navy Yard. You can see a breakdown of those philosophies here:
- Invest in Safe Fun — Activities and programming at the Navy Yard waterfront, public art installations, upkeep of parks and playgrounds
- Accessible Leadership — Email me at any time. Share your concerns, questions, and feedback so that I can best serve our community
- A More Livable Navy Yard — Mixed-used buildings with housing and commerce, protected bike lanes, expansion of childcare options
Why do you believe ANC is an important office?
Washington, D.C.’s ANC system is truly special and unique. These nonpartisan roles give each neighborhood a voice in what happens in their community. With ANCs being especially small in size, representatives can be extremely reactive to member concerns while also allowing them to initiate improvements to the city. I plan to be a loudspeaker for the community, helping to hear concerns and solve problems.
Why should your neighbors vote for you?
My background includes being a business author, professor at the University of the District of Columbia, and journalist focused on fostering entrepreneurship in small and large communities. My work has been featured in the LA Times, WSJ, Boston Globe, and Smithsonian Magazine. I am also a part of the arts community as a comedian at the Washington Improv Theater. My diverse background helps me understand how to connect with constituents and foster a growing neighborhood.
My number one priority is being reachable, so if you have an idea of how to improve your neighborhood, it will be heard.
Why should we all keep an eye on Advisory Neighborhood Commissions as a whole?
While national news often dominates talk in the District, there is a lot you can get done that can make a real personal impact. Increasing bike lane access, zoning to allow new restaurants or activities in your neighborhood, and increasing safety and reducing crime are just some of the possibilities.