Four/26 Roundup: Independence and Orange
Today the Post's Tim Craig does a great job identifying a key issue in the April 26 At-Large Special Election -- independence.
Generally, pretty much every candidate is trying to play up their "independent" credentials, arguing that they're not part of the District's political establishment that is so unpopular these days. At the losing end of this argument is Interim Councilmember Sekou Biddle, who received warm endorsements from Mayor Vince Gray, D.C. Council Chair Kwame Brown and the majority of the D.C. Council a few months back, making him seem like part of an establishment that he was never really a member of. (Who really knew much of Biddle before January? And isn't Vincent Orange himself something of an establishment guy, just not the same establishment in power right now?) Either way, a must-read on the state of the April 26 At-Large Special Election.
Also worth reading is the Georgetown Dish's account from Orange's Saturday campaign kickoff.
Some Evening Tidbits — Biddle and Mara
Some tidbits from the evening:
- The Post's Tim Craig tweets that Interim Councilmember Sekou Biddle received the endorsement of the Gertrude Stein Democratic Club during a second round of balloting, locking down 61 percent of the votes. Surprisingly, Vincent Orange took second place, even though he was the only candidate there that had once been against marriage equality. He either brought a lot of supporters, or members thought he was being sincere when he admitted that he is a different man now than what he was in 2006, when he opposed same-sex marriage.
- Mike DeBonis, also of the Post, has a great rundown of the circumstances surrounding Pat Mara's hearings before the D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics, notably the allegations of forged signatures. The decision is due tomorrow.
Biddle opens a well-staffed office for council race
By Tim Craig, The Washington Post
Interim DC. Council member Sekou Biddle (D-At large) opened his campaign office Sunday as he gears up for the April 26 citywide election, telling a room of supporters they have to move at "light speed" to fend off more than a half-dozen potential challengers.
The opening of the office, located on the top floor of Mayor Vincent C. Gray's former campaign headquarters on 6th Street NW near Chinatown, symbolizes Biddle's early advantage in fundraising and organization in his bid to permanently fill the at-large seat left vacant by Kwame Brown's (D) election as chairman last year.
Read the rest of the article here.
At-large council candidates debate budget, pay cuts, taxes and education
By Tim Craig, The Washington Post (link)
D.C. Council member Sekou Biddle (D-At large) said Wednesday that the city should get rid of taxpayer funded SUV's for top-ranking city officials and cut council members' pay to help close a budget shortfall.
Biddle, an interim member who is seeking a full term in an April 26 special election, made his remarks as he squared off against five other opponents Wednesday night in a candidates forum sponsored by The Georgetown Dish and The Georgetown Current.
The forum, held at the Social Safeway in Georgetown, was one of the best opportunities to-date for the candidates to try to distinguish themselves and set the narrative for what is expected to be a noisy citywide campaign.
D.C. council member Sekou Biddle eyes tax hike for $125,000-plus wage earners
By Tim Craig, The Washington Post (link)
The District's newest council member, Sekou Biddle (D-At large), said Tuesday he will likely support a tax increase on the wealthy this year to help balance the budget, perhaps even on those who make as little as $125,000 per year.
In an interview with the Washington Post after Tuesday's council meeting, Biddle said he will work with his colleagues to try to identify savings to close a shortfall in the fiscal year 2012 budget that is estimated to between $400 million and $600 million.
But Biddle, an interim council member who must stand for election in an April 26 citywide vote, said he fully expects the 13-member council will also have to take up a tax increase.
Council candidate Joshua Lopez blasts Gray on spending, GOP’s city funding cuts
By Tim Craig, The Washington Post (link)
Joshua Lopez is emerging as the first candidate in the race for an at-large D.C. Council seat to come out swinging against Mayor Vincent C. Gray (D), saying that the mayor for not doing enough to control city spending or fight the Republicans on Capitol Hill.
Lopez, who served as a campaign aide to former Mayor Adrian M. Fenty (D), issued a statement Monday referring to a recent report that Gray did not confront House Speaker John Boehner (R) in a recent meeting over a GOP proposal to reduce funding for the city.
"It amazes me that a man who on the campaign trail said he would be willing to go to jail for D.C. statehood lacks the fortitude to confront Boehner on a policy that essentially increases the level of injustice behind taxation without representation," Lopez said.