Zachary Parker

Zachary Parker
Member for the Council of the District of Columbia
from Ward 5
Assumed office
January 2, 2023
Preceded byKenyan McDuffie
Personal details
BornChicago, Illinois, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
EducationNorthwestern University (BA)
Columbia University (MEd)
WebsiteCampaign website

Zachary Parker is an educator and American politician, currently serving as a member of the Council of the District of Columbia, representing Ward 5 since January 2023.[1]

Early life and education

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Parker was born in Chicago.[2] He received a BS in Speech and Language Pathology from Northwestern University and a MA in Education Policy and Leadership from Columbia University.[2]

Career

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Parker worked as a math teacher with Teach for America and won his first election to the State Board of Education Ward 5 seat in 2018.[2] In 2021, Parker served as president of the State Board of Education.[2]

Council of the District of Columbia

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Parker was elected to the Council of the District of Columbia during the 2022 election cycle, besting a field of six other candidates which included former councilman Vincent Orange.[3] Parker eventually succeeded Kenyan McDuffie, who was elected to the At-Large council seat.[4]

Personal life

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In 2022, Parker came out publicly as gay (in his video statement, he suggested that this was already fairly well known within his community).[5]

References

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  1. ^ Weil, Julie (June 23, 2022). "A reshaped D.C. Council will take on education, policing, elections". Washington Post. Washington DC. Retrieved October 21, 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d Weil, Julie (August 31, 2021). "Board of Education president plans run for D.C. Council". Washington Post. Washington DC. Retrieved October 21, 2022.
  3. ^ "Incumbents Win Their D.C. Primaries, Progressives Clinch Open Races". DCist. Retrieved June 9, 2024.
  4. ^ Riley, John (November 9, 2022). "D.C. Elects Gay Councilmember Amid Pro-LGBTQ Wave". Metro Weekly. Retrieved June 9, 2024.
  5. ^ Parker, Zachary (March 30, 2022). "Unapologetically me. 🖤". twitter.com.
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Council of the District of Columbia
Preceded by Member of the Council of the District of Columbia
from Ward 5

2023–present
Incumbent