After a year of controversy that led to a guilty plea from a former colleague and a federal investigation of another’s campaign, the five D.C. Council members up for reelection this spring had been priming for what they thought would be a tough day at the polls.
But less than three months before the April 3 Democratic primary, most appear to be coasting to another term despite three criminal inquiries that have smothered city politics for months.
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Although a few of the incumbents face serious challenges, D.C. political observers say officeholders hold the advantage because of name recognition and superior campaign financing as well as a relatively strong economy. But the experts also point to a dearth of qualified political talent willing to mount credible challenges, as well as a dispirited electorate.
“The problem is people of integrity and accomplishments don’t want to join this council,” said former council member William P. Lightfoot, who served as an independent from 1989 to 1997. “They say it’s not a group they want to be affiliated with.”
Several races are crammed with challengers, but political and business leaders say that what’s missing is a sense that top-tier talent is interested in reshaping government at a time when the news media and federal authorities are scrutinizing elected officials.
And without well-known contenders, incumbents are increasingly optimistic that they can insulate themselves from the upheaval in the John A. Wilson Building.
“I think the throw-the-bums-out mentality is more on a national level,” said council member Michael A. Brown (I-At Large), who will be up for election in November. “On the local level, we see the folks at the grocery store, in the neighborhood, at schools, and the local folks see we are here working.”
The U.S. attorney’s office launched three separate investigations last year that have led to a plea agreement by former council member Harry Thomas Jr., who was accused of diverting more than $300,000 in public money for personal use. Meanwhile, federal officials continue to investigate the finances of Chairman Kwame R. Brown’s 2008 campaign and allegations of quid pro quo by the 2010 campaign of Mayor Vincent C. Gray.
Grooming a new generation
The controversies and frustration over the shortage of strong challengers have prompted a group of civic, community and business leaders to develop a program to groom a new generation of politicians.
The DC Leadership Development Council, which will be headed by former city administrator Michael Rogers and is to launch in the spring, will school potential candidates in ethics, city history and leadership skills.
“We are naive if we think qualified people are just going to drop out of the sky,” said Martha H. Mitchell, a former Ward 4 Democratic Committee leader who is helping to spearhead the group. “Our ultimate goal is to raise the bar a little.”
Progressive activists have held meetings throughout the city to develop ways to forge more local competition for the council, whose members run on staggered terms. But despite some crowded council races this year, observers say that the overall depth of talent willing to take on wholesale change remains thin.
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