Three Newcomers to Join Board; More Changes Ahead

Democratic candidates won six D.C. Council races yesterday, and independent David A. Catania, a popular incumbent, retained an at-large council seat.

Voters chose a new council chairman, Vincent C. Gray (D), and three new ward representatives, all replacing veterans who did not seek reelection. The election continued a makeover of the council that began in 2004, when challengers ousted three incumbents.

More changes are in store. Next year, special elections will be held to replace mayor-elect Adrian M. Fenty in Ward 4 and Gray in Ward 7. In the early months of Fenty's administration, the council will have 11 members, instead of the usual 13.

"I don't see it from the perspective of power," Gray, who won his first election just two years ago, said at his victory party last night. "It's an opportunity to be of continuous service to a city I love. It's about what's important to this city: education, affordable housing, health care."

In a city where 74 percent of registered voters are Democrats, yesterday's election was viewed by political analysts and many voters as a foregone conclusion. Catania ran for an at-large council seat that is reserved for a minority party. He first won election as a Republican in 1997 but left the party in 2004 and ran as an independent.

Voters overwhelmingly elected Democrats Mary M. Cheh in Ward 3, Harry "Tommy" Thomas Jr. in Ward 5 and Tommy Wells in Ward 6. Gray was unopposed in his bid for chairman, as was Ward 1 council member Jim Graham (D). Besides Catania, voters reelected Phil Mendelson (D) to an at-large seat from a field of five candidates.

The council has a daunting agenda that includes such long-standing issues as crime, health care, the demand for affordable housing, and construction of a baseball stadium due to open in spring 2008. But many voters yesterday were more focused on Fenty's plan to take over the public school system and how he will work with the council.

"I am hoping that Fenty will get along with the council and get some work done that will improve education and crime," said Bertha Williams, a Ward 5 resident for more than 40 years.

The heaviest campaigning in the District took place before the Democratic primary Sept. 12, when the six Democrats won their respective races. Interest, however, remained high yesterday at many polling places.

"I don't want them to take anything for granted," said Edison Cummings, 75, a retired tractor-trailer driver. "People get lazy. Make them work for it."

Council members and political activists have expressed concern about the gender makeup of the incoming council. Cheh and council member Carol Schwartz (R-At Large) could be the only women on the council, which had seven women less than a decade ago.

The unusual turnover was caused by one retirement and the decisions of five members to seek higher office.

Council member Sharon Ambrose (D-Ward 6) is retiring. Council Chairman Linda W. Cropp (D) and member Vincent B. Orange Sr. (D-Ward 5) were defeated by Fenty in the Democratic mayoral primary, and council member Kathy Patterson (D-Ward 3) lost to Gray in the primary for chairman.

Voters are ready for new talent on the council, Catania said as he campaigned at Bertie Backus Middle School in Northeast Washington. "I've sensed real enthusiasm about the change of leadership and the direction of the city," he said. "It's time."

Cheh, Thomas and Wells campaigned on pledges to work for better schools and smart development in their wards. There was talk in recent weeks about upsets in Wards 3 and 6, with Republicans and independents hoping to make gains. In Ward 3, Cheh, a George Washington University law professor, faced a last-minute e-mail and mailing campaign by a small but organized group of Democrats backing Republican Theresa Conroy.

Cheh said the election results showed that voters rejected the group's tactics. "I'm really, really happy to vanquish a negative campaign against me," Cheh said. "I can't wait to get to work."

In Ward 5, Thomas, who heads a nonprofit organization that works with youths, held back challenges from Statehood Green candidate Carolyn C. Steptoe and independents Miriam Moore and Tontalya T. Terceiro Wright. Thomas will take over the seat once held for 12 years by his father, now deceased.

"I have a great responsibility not to let the standards set by my father down," Thomas said last night. That means "to always be accountable, to hold my community up, to be responsible, accessible and compassionate in the decisions I make."

In Ward 6, Wells, a member of the D.C. Board of Education, defeated Republican Tony Williams and independent Will Cobb. He said his goal is to create "livable and walkable communities" -- the theme of his campaign. "Each neighborhood has its own challenges to address starting Day One," he said last night.