Eleanor Norton

Four candidates seeking to succeed longtime D.C. Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton squared off Sunday over how to defend the District against federal encroachment, with statehood and home rule dominating a forum held as congressional oversight of the city has intensified.

Norton, who has represented the District in Congress since 1991, is not seeking reelection, setting off a competitive race to fill a seat that carries enormous symbolic weight for a city still fighting for full congressional representation.

Sunday's forum was held at St. Coletta of Greater Washington and was co-hosted by the DC Democrats, the Ward 2, Ward 6, and Ward 7 Democratic organizations, Capital Community News — which publishes the Hill Rag, East of the River News, and Midcity DC News — Spotlight DC, and Transmission.

Four Democratic candidates seeking the party's nomination participated in the forum: D.C. Councilmember Brooke Pinto, Trent Holbrook, Kinney Zalesne, and Greg Jaczko.

D.C. Councilmember Robert White did not attend. 7News reached out to White's campaign to learn why. We will update this story when we hear back.

WATCH | DC Delegate candidates take part in debate hosted by UDC

With the Trump administration exercising heightened oversight of D.C.'s local government, candidates used their opening statements to draw sharp contrasts over who is best positioned to fight back.

Pinto framed her candidacy around protecting the city.

"I'm really running for Congress to protect our city from the attacks that we've been experiencing, fight for home rule, our autonomy, and statehood," Pinto said. "I'm running for Congress to make sure that every Washingtonian can be safe no matter what neighborhood they live in."

Holbrook, who worked on Norton's congressional staff for eight years, leaned on that experience as his central credential.

"I worked for Congresswoman Norton for eight years, and you better believe that I also know D.C.'s history," Holbrook said. "But more importantly, I worked with Congresswoman Norton, and we made DC history."

Zalesne cast the race in starker terms.

"I'm running for Congress because Trump is crushing this city on purpose and we need an experienced national fighter that knows how to push back," Zalesne said.

WATCH | DC Delegate, Mayoral Debate at George Washington University

Jaczko, who emphasized problem-solving as the through line of his career and his rationale for running.

According to his campaign website, Jaczko served as chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission under President Barack Obama, was senior advisor to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, and also worked with Rep. Ed Markey.

"During all that time in government, I have learned that government is about helping people to solve problems," Jaczko said. "I have watched over the years as the government has become less and less responsive to individuals."

On the Republican side, Denise Rosado is the sole candidate seeking that party's nomination. She will face the Democratic primary winner, along with any independent or D.C. minor party challengers, in the general election.

The Democratic primary is June 16. The general election is on Nov. 3.