The Issues

As the District of Columbia’s first elected attorney general, Karl Racine fights for D.C. residents every day. In his first term, Karl built an independent office, led the way on justice reform, cracked down on slumlords, stopped scammers, and stood up to the Trump administration. There’s still work to do, and that’s why Karl is running for re-election.

As the District’s chief prosecutor for juveniles, Karl is working to make D.C. safer for everyone – and working to ensure our young people are set up for success.  As part of a new wave of elected prosecutors leading the way on criminal justice reform, Karl has implemented data-driven programs that are “smart on crime” instead of relying on outdated “tough-on-crime” strategies that failed to make communities safer and disproportionately affected the poor and people of color.

MOVING FORWARD:

Karl will continue to make D.C. safer through innovation to prevent crime, solve underlying problems, and help young people succeed.  He will:

  • Continue to expand successful diversion programs for low-level juvenile offenders,
  • Work with partners to develop effective supervision and rehabilitation for juveniles who commit more serious offenses,
  • Bring targeted resources to neighborhoods that haven’t yet seen reductions in crime,
  • Push for full implementation of the NEAR Act, which would bring a community-based, public health approach to reducing crime.
LEARN MORE

Karl knows that the affordable housing crisis is one of the most pressing problems facing the District, and he believes that people of all income levels should be able to call the District home.  As attorney general, Karl has scored significant victories in protecting tenants, cracking down on slumlords and preserving affordable housing.

MOVING FORWARD:

Karl will continue to level the playing field for tenants and hold abusive landlords accountable.  He will:

  • Work to expand enforcement of housing code and protections for tenants;
  • Enforce commitments by developers to ensure communities get the resources and benefits they are promised;
  • Inform District residents about their legal rights when it comes to housing conditions and rent control laws;
  • Continue to work closely with tenants groups and nonprofits to solve problems and improve housing conditions across the city.
LEARN MORE

Karl works every day to ensure that no one takes advantage of D.C. residents.  He established an Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) early in his term.  In its first three years, the office stood up for vulnerable local residents – including immigrants, seniors, and students – and became a leader on national multistate consumer investigations.  Under Karl, the office has helped strengthen District consumer protection and privacy laws, and secured more than $118 million in restitution and penalties for consumers and taxpayers.

MOVING FORWARD:

Karl will build on the success of his consumer protection work by:

  • Helping consumers stay safe in emerging areas like the sharing economy and social media;
  • Protecting seniors from abuse and financial scams with stepped-up resources and outreach;
  • Continuing to set consumer protection priorities and lead at the national level;
  • Fighting efforts by the Trump administration and Congress to roll back regulations that protect student borrowers, seniors and other vulnerable consumers.
LEARN MORE

Karl has built a world-class legal team to uphold D.C. law, defend the District government and the services it provides to D.C. residents, and ensures that businesses in the city are operating to the benefit of District residents.  Under his leadership, the OAG has saved taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars in liabilities, helped negotiate deals that will save utility ratepayers millions of dollars, and fought to hold businesses accountable for the taxes they owe and the promises they make to District residents.

MOVING FORWARD:

Karl will make sure that contracts and agreements with the city are in the best interests of District residents and that businesses won’t be able to walk away from their commitments without consequence.

LEARN MORE

Karl believes all workers and their families should share in the growing prosperity of our region, and that workers must receive all the wages and benefits they earn.  He has used the power of the government on behalf of vulnerable workers and against businesses that make their money by stealing from employees.  As attorney general, Karl requested and was granted independent authority to investigate wage theft cases, and has exercised that independent authority to take action on behalf of workers.

MOVING FORWARD:

Karl plans to continue to use his authority strategically to protect workers and deter bad actors.  If investigations reveal employers have willfully committed serious violations, he will not hesitate to pursue criminal charges.

LEARN MORE

As an immigrant who came to the District of Columbia from Haiti as a child, Karl understands the challenges immigrant communities face.  When the Trump administration tried to force cities like D.C. to use our local police to enforce federal immigration laws, Karl pushed back.  He knows that the District is safer when all residents, regardless of their immigration status, feel free to work with law enforcement or go to the police for help.

MOVING FORWARD:

Karl will continue to advocate for District residents from around the world, and will work to make sure that our local law enforcement will never be used as a deportation force.

LEARN MORE

Now more than ever, attorneys general are acting as a check and balance on harmful federal government actions, and are standing up for local residents and the rule of law.  As attorney general, Karl has stepped up to protect District residents and our values at the national level.

MOVING FORWARD:

Karl will use his increasing national profiles as co-chair of the Democratic Attorneys General Association and the Eastern regional chair of the National Association of Attorneys General to continue leading the fight against President Trump’s unconstitutional and undemocratic actions, and to place the concerns and values of District residents on the national stage.

LEARN MORE