A New Direction

Democratic mayoral nominee Adrian Fenty leads a formidable slate into the November general election.

DISTRICT OF Columbia Democrats, dismissing Mayor Anthony A. Williams's strong support for Council Chairman Linda W. Cropp, signaled a new course for the city by nominating Adrian M. Fenty to the city's top spot by a landslide. As his party's standard-bearer in an overwhelmingly Democratic city, Mr. Fenty now goes into the Nov. 7 general election as a prohibitive favorite. The same may be said about D.C. Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton, who sailed to victory over a little-known opponent, and Ward 7 council member Vincent C. Gray, who captured the council chairman's nomination over veteran Ward 3 council member Kathy Patterson by a wide margin.

At-large council member Phil Mendelson's crushing defeat of newcomer A. Scott Bolden propels the two-term incumbent toward the council for a third tour, provided he gets past Republican and Statehood Green nominees on Nov. 7. Democratic voters in Wards 3, 5 and 6 chose three promising new faces to represent them on the council. Ward 3 nominee Mary Cheh and Ward 6 nominee Tommy Wells will face Republican foes, while Ward 5 nominee Harry "Tommy" Thomas Jr. will be matched against a Statehood Green candidate. Again, party registration favors the already strong slate of Democratic nominees.

Supporters of Adrian Fenty should be pleased not only with his victory but also with the way in which he waged his campaign. It was positive and disciplined; he remained focused on the issues rather than on personalities. That's also true of last night's other winners. The coming weeks will give voters a renewed opportunity to scrutinize the candidates as they campaign in the general election. But D.C. Democrats have to be pleased with the strong slate of nominees that will appear on the November ballot.