About The Candidate

• Office Sought: D.C. Shadow U.S. Senator
• Occupation: Lawyer, owner and principal, Law Offices of Paul Strauss & Associates.
• Web site: http://www.paulstrauss.org
• E-mail address: senator@paulstrauss.org

Education

BA, political science, American University, School of Public Affairs; JD, AU law school.

Offices and positions held

U.S. shadow senator, D.C., 1997-present; advisory neighborhood commissioner, 1987-96; superdelegate for Barack Obama, Democratic National Convention; D.C. Democratic State Committee; delegate, 2000 and 2004 Democratic National Conventions; former chairman, Neighborhood Planning Councils; chairman, Board of Real Property Assessments and Appeals; member, Stoddert Elementary PTA; chairman, Fort Reno summer concert series.

On the Issues

What is the most urgent problem facing your jurisdiction?

D.C.'s lack of voting representation and self-determination. I support D.C. statehood as a way to create full autonomy and equal representation. Without self-determination, the District does not have the power to act in the best interest of its residents. Without federal representation, residents do not have the power to vote on national issues that affect them. I support full and equal voting rights for District residents and the chance for every citizen to have their voice heard. District taxpayers deserve self-governance and the rights that all other Americans enjoy. Anything less is a grave injustice and must end immediately.

Why should voters elect you?

I am the most qualified candidate. I am experienced and dedicated, and I will never stop fighting for you and the voting rights we deserve.

How do you see elected officials helping residents through these difficult economic times?

These difficult economic times are made worse by D.C.’s present relationship with the Federal Government, which has led to a significant structural deficit for the District of Columbia. I will continue to fight for full equality for D.C. in Congress. We need Statehood. As important as full voting representation in Congress is, full local control over our own government as well. If we were free from the control of Congress, the D.C. government would be able to focus on the District's most pressing issues and allocate funding as it saw fit. Without full budget and legislative autonomy, the District cannot provide the services that it needs to. The people of the District of Columbia deserve to truly govern themselves. The District of Columbia is a diverse and complex community that needs to be governed by those who properly understand our unique local economy, the D.C. residents themselves, not the Congress.

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