In Ward 4, Election Buzz Is Politics As Usual

By Yolanda Woodlee and Nikita Stewart
Washington Post Staff Writers
Thursday, July 5, 2007

Just months after the mayoral race and the special council election, the Ward 4 political saga continues.

First it was Ward 4 resident Adrian M. Fenty beating Linda W. Cropp for mayor. Then it was Muriel Bowser, a Fenty protege, defeating Michael A. Brown, a Cropp supporter, for Fenty's vacant Ward 4 council seat.

Now, some political observers are abuzz with talk that Tuesday's election staged by the Ward 4 Democratic Committee will be a three-peat -- with another matchup of new guard vs. old guard. The group will elect new officers at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the 4th District Police Station, at 6001 Georgia Ave. NW.

Bowser selected Deborah Royster, a Pepco lawyer and Fenty ally, to head a slate of candidates. Royster, a newcomer to the political organization, will challenge Gerri Adams-Simmons, a longtime Cropp supporter who has been active among Ward 4 Democrats for more than a decade.

Royster acknowledges that she has "not been formally active" in the Ward 4 political group, but she gave it thought after Bowser recruited her. Royster is best known for her successful push to get the city to demolish a $1.5 million house wedged between her back yard and a neighbor's yard.

"There's a need for fresh leadership," Royster said. "One of the lessons I've learned from our experience with the house in the back yard is: It's important to participate in the Democratic process. It's vital."

Adams-Simmons, former president of the Brightwood Community Association and the Federation of Civic Associations, said that Democrats may have been in different camps before the mayoral election, but that's behind them now.

"I don't see how someone can say I'm somebody's person," Adams-Simmons said. "I'm not really a politician. I'm doing something for my community."

Both Royster and Adams-Simmons play down associations to the elected officials who have taken office before them.

"That's ridiculous," said Adams-Simmons, although she admits she hears it as she campaigns. "A number of us wanted to run because we want to unify the ward. We look forward to supporting our new council person."

Royster echoed that sentiment.

"That's not how I see it," Royster said. "Our support will come from both camps, even if a divide still exists."

Adams-Simmons and Royster say that their goals are similar -- to increase participation of registered Democrats in the ward's political group without regard to ethnic, gender, age or geographical boundaries.

"This whole division issue is passe," Royster said. "We're building unity in Ward 4 around issues of common concerns."

The following candidates are on Adams-Simmons's slate: first vice president, Dwayne Revis; second vice president, Sara Green; treasurer, Tony Towns; financial secretary, Darren Buckner; recording secretary, Andra Wicks; and corresponding secretary, Doug Payton. Payton, who works for Bowser, said he decided to run before the Bowser-Royster slate was organized.

On Royster's slate: first vice president Joshua Lopez; second vice president, Terry Goings; recording secretary, Ayana Rockett; corresponding secretary, Shanel Anthony; treasurer, Lamont Harrell; and financial secretary, Samantha Nolan.

Political Elite Back Obama

Sen. Barack Obama made headlines this week with the news that he has raised $32.5 million in the past three months for his presidential campaign. He is the first Democrat to raise more than $30 million in a three-month period during a non-election year.

The presidential hopeful got an assist from the District's political elite. Behind-the-scenes power broker Jim Hudson led an effort for Obama that collected $600,000 and endorsements from three D.C. Council members -- Yvette M. Alexander (D-Ward 7), Muriel Bowser (D-Ward 4) and Tommy Wells (D-Ward 6). Obama called Hudson, who also co-chaired Adrian Fenty's mayoral campaign, "an outstanding counselor [and] leader."

"Jim helped me get to where I am," Obama said at a fundraiser last week at the National Music Center and Museum (the new name for the old District museum on K Street). He also gave credit to Anne Ashmore-Hudson, Jim Hudson's wife. "You don't want to mess with Anne," Obama said to laughter.

During Obama's address, he summoned the three council members to the stage. "I've got to give them some special props," he said.

Wells said he endorsed Obama because the candidate hearkens back to a time in American history when big changes were made. "He's our Bobby Kennedy," Wells said in an interview.

Obama also talked about the significance of his possible election. "It's not that often that you get to put your shoulder against history," he said.

In attendance were a host of the District's new, young leaders: developers Larry Clark and Jair Lynch; Tene Dolphin, Fenty's chief of staff; Benjamin Soto, a board member for the D.C. Sports and Entertainment Commission; Darryl Wiggins, an entrepreneur and local campaign manager; and lobbyist J.R. Clark.

A Book Fenty Could Love

The Notebook got an advance copy of Miami-Dade County public schools Superintendent Rudolph F. Crew's first book, which carries the somewhat awkward title: "Only Connect: The Way to Save Our Schools."

The Notebook wonders whether Adrian Fenty, who consulted Crew several times as he planned and executed his takeover of the D.C. schools, has read the book, which clocks in at 256 pages. (Come to think of it, that might be too many words to cram into one of the mayor's BlackBerrys.)

Crew's examines how each sector must work together to lift student achievement -- teachers, principals, parents, superintendents, school boards, philanthropies and business leaders.

So what does he say about school boards?

"I've watched school board members burn through hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars and thousands of man-hours over everything from costly, divisive hobbyhorses like 'intelligent design' to political ambitions, from office locations to job offers for their pals. And that's if you're lucky. Elected school boards are highly susceptible to corruption, too."

Ouch. No wonder Fenty likes him.

Barry's New Press Director

Andre M. Johnson, the new communications director for council member Marion Barry (D-Ward 8), entered the John A. Wilson Building press room, where reporters were on deadline on the confirmation hearing of schools Chancellor Michelle A. Rhee this week to pass out an important media release. About himself.

"WARD 8 COUNCIL MEMBER MARION BARRY NAMES ANDRE JOHNSON AS NEW COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR," the headline read.

In the release Barry said, "I am delighted that Andre has joined our team. He knows his way around the city and is no stranger to the halls of the Wilson Building." Well, we definitely know he can find the press room.

Staff writer David Nakamura contributed to this report.