An overview of endorsements in the DC Council races

While the at-large DC Council contest has drawn the bulk of the local attention ahead of Tuesday’s general election in the District, various news outlets, unions and political organizations have weighed in on races across the DC ballot. Here’s a breakdown of how the endorsements line up for the two at-large and four ward seats on the Nov. 6 ballot.

Media organizations that have made endorsements include The Washington Post, The Current, The Georgetowner, The InTowner and Greater Greater Washington, which focuses on transportation and land-use issues from an urbanist perspective and includes an advocacy arm. Citywide news outlets that have not endorsed candidates include the Washington City Paper, DCist, Washingtonian and The DC Line.

The incumbents who hold District’s top three local elected posts — Mayor Muriel Bowser, DC Council Chairman Phil Mendelson and Attorney General Karl Racine — face opponents with little name recognition, and they are widely perceived as shoo-ins for re-election. Many of the endorsements they have received came in passing; The Post’s editorial board described “nominal challenges” to their re-election bids before shifting its focus to the race “getting the most attention.”

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At-large seats

That’s a reference to the hotly contested at-large council race, where three candidates — incumbent Anita Bonds, the Democratic nominee; and incumbent Elissa Silverman and political newcomer Dionne Reeder, both running as independents — are widely seen as the viable contenders for the two at-large seats up for election.

Given DC’s past electoral history and the Democratic Party’s overwhelming advantage in voter registration, Bonds is perceived as a near-lock for one of the positions, with Silverman and Reeder vying for the second seat. Other candidates on the ballot — independent Rustin Lewis, Statehood Green Party nominee David Schwartzman and Republican nominee Ralph Chittams Sr. — lack sizable war chests to run a vigorous citywide campaign.

Endorsements for Anita Bonds:

• The Current: “Bonds, both intelligent and thoughtful, listens to those with other views.”
• The Georgetowner: “We prefer dependable incumbent Anita Bonds.”
• DC Attorney General Karl Racine
• Gertrude Stein Democrats
• Washington Teachers’ Union

Endorsements for Elissa Silverman:

• Greater Greater Washington: “Elissa Silverman has established a strong track record as a supporter of public transit, affordable housing, and meeting the overall housing need.”
• Metropolitan Washington Council AFL-CIO Committee on Political Education: “Elissa’s commitment to DC’s working men and women was clear … as a strong and reliable advocate for labor at the Council.”
• Sierra Club: “The Sierra Club is delighted that Councilmember Silverman is supporting the Clean Energy DC Omnibus Act of 2018.”

• The InTowner: “She has been a diligent watchdog on behalf of us taxpayers … taking seriously her oversight responsibilities as a member of the council’s finance and revenue and government operations committees.”

• DC for Democracy (DC4D): “Elissa has proven to be a leading progressive voice on the DC Council.”
• DC National Organization for Women: “Elissa Silverman has been a strong advocate for universal paid leave, one of DC NOW’s largest priorities. She has routinely fought for affordable housing and supports reducing barriers to housing for those fleeing violence.”
• IBEW Local 27: “Silverman is a champion for labor and IBEW Local 26.”  
• Service Employees International Union 32BJ
• National Nurses United: “Silverman [is a] champion of the working families of DC.”
• Washington Teachers’ Union: “We are convinced that [Silverman is] genuinely committed to working with teachers.”
• UFCW Local 400: “A vote for Elissa is a vote for someone who gets things done.”
• LiUNA! Mid Atlantic Region: “Time and again … Silverman has demonstrated that she stands with working people.”
• DC Attorney General Karl Racine
• DC Council members Brianne Nadeau (Ward 1), Mary Cheh (Ward 3), Charles Allen (Ward 6) and David Grosso (at-large)
• Jews United for Justice Campaign Fund: “Elissa stood out as the Councilmember who is doing the absolute most to move DC forward.”

Endorsements for Dionne Reeder:

• The Washington Post: “Our sole endorsement goes to Ms. Reeder. Her experience and sensibilities would bring needed balance to a legislative body that too often caters to the activists who pack council hearings and not to the businesses and residents who must foot the bills.”

• Mayor Muriel Bowser (D): “[The mayor] is going to support Dionne Reeder, who has promised to focus on needs of D.C. residents.” — Bill Lightfoot, Bowser’s campaign chairman.
• Washington Blade columnist Mark Lee: “Reeder … is an authentic community collaborator with impressive experience in both government-level and community-based program achievement.”
• The Current: “Reeder owns a small Ward 8 restaurant and has government experience under former Mayor Anthony Williams. No current council members have ever run a business, an experience which helps in recruiting businesses to find jobs for unemployed residents.”
• The Georgetowner: “We [also] endorse a newcomer, although with lots of business and political experience.”
• AFSCME District Council 20: “Dionne would have an open-door policy with labor and voced to work with al labor and the working men and women of this great city.”

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Ward 1

Democratic nominee Brianne Nadeau is running for her second term. Her platform prioritizes housing issues, such as affordable housing and short-term rental rules, along with safe neighborhoods and stronger education.

Endorsements for Brianne Nadeau:

• Greater Greater Washington (endorsed in April): “Nadeau has shown clear support for urbanist issues and policies.”
• Metropolitan Washington Council AFL-CIO Committee on Political Education
• Jews United For Justice Campaign Fund: “She has been a key partner with progressive organizations in DC … prioritizing investments in key services over tax cuts for millionaires and businesses.”
• The Washington Post: “Nadeau is the preferred choice.”
• EMILY’s List (endorsed in primary): “Nadeau’s tireless dedication to improving public safety and increasing government transparency have driven her work on the DC Council.”
• Washington Teachers’ Union
• Sierra Club (endorsed in April): “Brianne Nadeau … has emerged as a champion for a healthy environment and combating climate change.”

Her opponent, Jamie Sycamore, is running as an independent. Sycamore is a disabilities advocate and LGBTQ activist, focusing on issues such as homelessness, social justice, small business, and accessibility. Sycamore has no major endorsements.

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Ward 3

Democratic nominee Mary Cheh, the incumbent, is running for her fourth term. Cheh chairs the Committee on Transportation and the Environment and cites her top priorities as addressing overcrowding in public schools, environmental issues, and improving safety conditions for pedestrians and bicyclists.  

Endorsements for Mary Cheh:

• The Current: “She is honest and willing to compromise with her fellow councilmembers to receive the best possible results for her constituents.”
• Greater Greater Washington: “Cheh has been a consistent voice pushing for better transit, more walking and biking facilities, and environmental sustainability.”
• Sierra Club: “Mary Cheh has built an impressive record fighting for environmental conservation.”
• District of Columbia Association of Realtors: “Her voting record shows she recognizes the importance of owning a home.”
• LiUNA! Mid-Atlantic Region: “Each [of the incumbents] have demonstrated that their values align with those of our members.”
• Washington Teachers’ Union

Cheh’s opponent, Petar Dimtchev, has a range of local and federal government experiences, including positions as a Ward 3 community liaison for former Mayor Adrian Fenty’s administration and in the U.S. Social Security Administration. His top three issues include transportation, DC schools and constituent services.

Endorsements for Petar Dimtchev:

• The Washington Post: “Mr. Dimtchev … is focused on bread-and-butter issues such as fixing potholes, helping small businesses and reducing school overcrowding.”

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Ward 5

Kenyan McDuffie, the Democratic incumbent and a third-generation native Washingtonian, is seeking his second full term, having been initially elected in a 2012 special election. McDuffie chairs the Committee on Business and Economic Development. McDuffie has listed his priorities as affordable housing, education and working families.

Endorsements for Kenyan McDuffie:

• Democrats for Education Reform DC: “He has been a vocal supporter of parent choice and ensuring all students have access to a quality public school.”
• Jews United for Justice Campaign Fund: “A champion of racial justice and criminal justice reform, and author of the groundbreaking NEAR Act.”
• The Washington Post: “We endorse the [incumbent] in Ward 5, Kenyan R. McDuffie.”
• LiUNA! Mid-Atlantic Region: “Each [of the incumbents] have demonstrated that their values align with those of our members.”
• Greater Greater Washington (endorsed in primary): “In his two terms on the DC Council, McDuffie has amassed a clear record of support on key urbanist issues.”
• Washington Teachers’ Union

Two independents are running against McDuffie; neither has received any major endorsements. Amone Banks, who has lived in Ward 5 for over five years, says his main priorities include lowering Metrorail and Metrobus fares, reducing parking fines, cutting property taxes for those 65 and older, and supporting education reform. Kathy Henderson has served as an advisory neighborhood commissioner in Ward 5 for 20 years, and her platform focuses on public safety, education and community service.

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Ward 6

Incumbent Charles Allen, the Democratic nominee for Ward 6, has worked in Ward 6 neighborhoods for over a decade. Prior to his election in 2014, he helped establish the advocacy group DC for Democracy and was the longtime chief of staff to Tommy Wells, Allen’s predecessor as Ward 6 council member. Allen’s re-election campaign focuses on small businesses, school reform, city safety and health care.

Endorsements for Charles Allen:

• The Washington Post: “We endorse the [incumbent[ in … Ward 6, Charles Allen.”
• National Organization for Women, DC: “Charles has worked to protect and defend survivors of intimate partner violence and domestic violence.”
• LiUNA! Mid-Atlantic Region: “Charles Allen is uniquely suited to serve as the District of Columbia’s Ward 6 Councilmember.”
• Greater Greater Washington: “Allen has … been a leader for urbanism in his first term on the council.”
• DC for Democracy (DC4D): “In his 4 years as Ward 6 Councilmember, Charles Allen has been a progressive champion for DC Fair Elections and Paid Family Leave, and played an instrumental role in funding the Neighborhood Engagement Achieves Results (NEAR) Act.”
• Sierra Club (endorsed in April): “Charles Allen … has emerged as a champion for a healthy environment and combating climate change.”
• Jews United for Justice Campaign Fund: “Working hard to bring affordable housing to Ward 6, which has created the most units of any Ward over the past three years. … We are eager to help Councilmember Allen expand his work for affordable housing and fair elections in his next term.”
• Washington Teachers’ Union

The Republican nominee, Michael Bekesha, works as an attorney for Judicial Watch, a nonprofit watchdog organization. Bekesha’s platform prioritizes affordable housing, safe neighborhoods, public servants, schools, small businesses and a responsive government.

This post has been updated to correctly identify the Jews United for Justice Campaign Fund and to add Greater Greater Washington’s primary endorsement of Ward 5’s Kenyan McDuffie.