Ciprian Ivanof, a Republican, is running for U.S. House of Representatives shadow member for the District of Columbia in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election. He faces Democrat Franklin Garcia.

Under D.C. Code § 1-123, the shadow representative informs Congress about D.C.'s qualifications for statehood, monitors the statehood petition, reports to District residents and may advise the District on statehood policy. The position carries no vote in Congress.

Ivanof, a military veteran who holds a law degree, has centered his campaign on public safety and political competition in the District. On his campaign website, Ivanof said residents should "Vote GOP for a safe DC."

On X, Ivanof argued against one-party dominance in D.C. politics. "One party politics is a recipe for corruption and incompetence. We can overcome that," Ivanof said on the platform. He has positioned himself as an alternative to the Democratic Party's longstanding hold on District elections.

Candidate information

  • Party: Republican
  • Race: U.S. House of Representatives Shadow Member, District of Columbia
  • Election date: Nov. 3, 2026
  • Education: Law degree, American University (2018); History and Russian history, University of Minnesota (2013)

Experience and public service

Ivanof served in multiple military roles over roughly a decade, according to BallotReady. He served as an E-3 in the Minnesota National Guard from 2008 to 2015, then as an E-4 in the DC National Guard from 2015 to 2017.

On the issues

Public safety: Ivanof has identified public safety as a campaign priority on his campaign website.

Political competition: Ivanof has argued on X that one-party rule in D.C. leads to corruption and incompetence. He has framed his Republican candidacy as offering District voters a choice beyond the dominant Democratic Party.

Candidate issue positions are drawn from Ivanof's campaign website and social media accounts. The Capital City Post did not interview the candidate for this profile. Franklin Garcia is also running for this seat. Voters can find more information through the D.C. Board of Elections.