ANC Election 2020: Meet Marina Budimir

Update: Marina now has a website, here, and was just endorsed by Greater Greater Washington.

If you live in Trinidad, you are supposed to be represented locally by one of three commissioners in ANC 5D. However, the lower third of Trinidad, ANC 5D06, has been without a commissioner since Jason Burkett resigned in March, just as the pandemic was beginning. Now, three neighbors are running to fill the empty seat. 

Of the three candidates, two of them, Zachary Hoffman and Michael Lussier, have websites and yard-signs. The third, Marina Budimir, has been a bit of a mystery. But yesterday, Sunday, October 4, Budimir introduced herself to neighbors at a socially distant informal event at Joe Cole park.

   

I live in 5D06 and plan to early vote as soon as ballot box becomes available on October 5th. I've searched online and can't find a website that informs us of her policies. The other two candidates have websites. She needs to hurry up if she wants our vote.

— Kevin Horgan (@kevin_horgan) October 2, 2020

Budimir, a self-described progressive who works for the District Department of Transportation, has been out of the loop since giving birth to a baby boy seven weeks ago in what she says was a difficult pregnancy. She admits that she has catch-up to do and is prioritizing improving transportation, public safety and public space in her campaign.

“I’m a fellow neighbor who wants to see this neighborhood thrive,” says Budimir. She identifies as Caucasian and is an Eastern European refugee. Budimir has lived in the District for a decade and in Trinidad for about two years, on Staples street. She believes that city government should be more responsive to Trinidad residents’ requests and be more accountable when changes are requested. As a transportation planner for DDOT and a bike commuter, Budimir wants more sustainable transportation options for the neighborhood, including dedicated bus and bike lanes. “Everyone should have access to safe facilities,” she says.

Budimir says that the district would be well-served by any of the three candidates, but in regards to Zachary Hoffman, “my platform is a little more progressive,” she says. Hoffman, who works in food service, was against Initiative 77, the measure to replace the tipped minimum wage that voters approved and D.C. Council repealed. “I was for it because I think everyone should be paid a living wage,” says Budimir, citing her own experience as a waitress in San Francisco.

Budimir also says she is in favor of defunding the police by channeling parts of their budget to other social programs and that she personally is reluctant to call law enforcement in Trinidad. Budimir plans to release more information on her positions soon.

Stay tuned for interviews with other candidates. Up next, Zachary Hoffman, who is running against Budimir and Michael Lussier. In the future, I’d like to hear from all ANC 5D candidates but I’m beginning with Trinidad for now.

Photo courtesy of Marina Budimir.