Carol Schwartz (born January 20, 1944) is an American politician and Perennial candidate from Washington, D.C., who served as a Republican at-large member on the Council of the District of Columbia from 1985 to 1989 and again from 1997 to 2009.

A five-time perennial candidate for mayor, she is the only Republican nominee since the restoration of home rule to garner more than 30 percent of the vote.

[4][6] After graduation, she worked as a special education teacher in Austin, but she quit and moved to the District in 1966 after visiting the city.

She decided not to run for reelection to the council after the 1988 suicide of her husband, real estate lawyer David H. Schwartz, which occurred on her birthday.

[7] Marion Barry also reentered politics that year, defeating incumbent mayor Sharon Pratt Kelly in the Democratic primary election.

Although Schwartz lost to Barry, she did tally 42 percent of the vote—easily the strongest showing by a Republican mayoral candidate since the restoration of home rule in 1974.

[10][11][12] In 1998, Schwartz ran for mayor for the third time, campaigning for "safe streets, good schools, a clean environment.

In 2001, Schwartz voted for legislation that overturned the results of a popular referendum limiting members of the D.C. Council to two terms.

[18][19] Schwartz attacked Williams' record as mayor, saying that his "stewardship has been marred by ethical lapses, questionable judgment and a cold lack of compassion for our poorest and most helpless citizens.

The law, which was adopted in March 2008, requires District employers to give their workers paid time off to address their health needs or those of a family member.

[30] The law made the District the second jurisdiction in the U.S. to create a mandated sick leave requirement, following San Francisco.

"[35] In response, Schwartz noted another council member who voted for the budget increases was David Catania, whom Mara has said he admires.

[40] The Greater Washington Board of Trade and the D.C. Chamber of Commerce PAC both endorsed Mara and raised money for his campaign.

The editorial board of The Washington Post published an endorsement of both Mara and incumbent Democrat Kwame Brown.

[49] Service Employees International Union Local 722,[49] the political action committee of the Hotel Association of Washington,[50] and the news editor of The Georgetown Voice[51] supported Michael Brown.

Among sitting council members, Jim Graham, Muriel Bowser, and Phil Mendelson endorsed Schwartz.

[52] Vincent Gray, Harry Thomas, Jr., David Catania, and Marion Barry endorsed Michael Brown.

[33] Three candidates, all formerly registered as Democrats, were listed as independents on the ballot: lobbyist Michael Brown, ANC commissioner Dee Hunter, and Mark H.

[60][10] In 2004, Schwartz announced her support of domestic partnerships,[61] but she opposed instituting same-sex marriage in Washington as of 2008[update].