By Nikita Stewart
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, May 11, 2008

Before about 100 people, D.C. Council member Muriel Bowser tried to fend off debate challengers Baruti Jahi and Paul E. Montague. It's an election year, after all, and last week, Bowser (D-Ward 4) and her opponents sparred for more than an hour, fielding questions on issues ranging from school closings to crime.

But it was the final question in the local political season's first debate that spoke to the heart of matters in the District: Whom are you supporting in the Democratic presidential primary?

The drawn-out battle between Sens. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) and Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) is overshadowing the local elections. There is far more talk about the fight over Democratic Party superdelegates than over who is running for six D.C. Council seats in the Sept. 9 primary. Even the Democratic State Committee contests seem to be generating more buzz.

For the record, Bowser and Jahi said they support Obama; Montague said he's for whoever gets the Democratic nomination.

"What we are finding is that people are unaware that an election is going on," said council member Jack Evans (D-Ward 2), a 17-year incumbent who is running for reelection. "We just had a presidential primary that had the largest turnout in history [42 percent]. Virtually no one is focused on Sept. 9."

There are six council races -- in wards 2, 4, 7 and 8 and for two at-large seats -- in addition to contests for the delegate to the House of Representatives and shadow U.S. senator and representative.

Candidates began picking up nominating petitions Friday from the Board of Elections and Ethics. They must file by July 2 to qualify for the September primary.

Candidates are also encountering financial fatigue. The small pool of politicos known for opening wallets and making calls is weary after two years of nonstop giving.

There was the mayoral race in 2006, as well as seven council races, including the chairman's. Then came last year's special elections to replace Mayor Adrian M. Fenty (D) and Chairman Vincent C. Gray (D) in their wards. With 36 candidates in the two races, lawns were littered, bumpers were stickered and coffers were emptied. Now there's a presidential race, and the national economy is tanking.

But campaigns, like other shows, must go on.

Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), who kicked off her campaign yesterday near an Eastern Market playground, is vying for a 10th term.

Bowser could face two opponents in the primary, and Yvette M. Alexander (D-Ward 7) is expected to have at least one. Kwame R. Brown (D-At Large) could face a challenge from Clarence Cherry, a PTA president. Cherry picked up a petition Friday.

The at-large race is not expected to heat up until November, when candidates from all parties will compete for two spots. Voters can pick two at-large candidates, but one must be a non-Democrat. Republican incumbent Carol Schwartz could face a challenge from newcomer Adam Clampitt, activist Dee Hunter and Michael A. Brown, son of former commerce secretary Ronald H. Brown. The three are planning to run as independents.

For now, Kwame Brown, who defeated longtime incumbent Harold Brazil in 2004 with a massive door-knocking campaign, appears to be "a shoo-in," activist Philip Pannell said. Brown, he said, is always in the public eye. "Kwame will attend the opening of an envelope. He's everywhere," Pannell said.

Brown agreed. "They see an at-large member who is actually out in the community," he said. "They see me at the subway stops. . . . They see me at [Advisory Neighborhood Commission] meetings."

"People run because they're tired of elected officials not doing anything," said Brown, who lives in Hillcrest. "No one's running, because I've done what I said I was going to do."

He mentioned his efforts to support the ban on smoking in restaurants and bars and to help bring an IHOP restaurant to Ward 8.

Alexander said the council's recent approval of a ban on the sale of single containers of malt liquor and beer has been a highlight of her first year in office.

Bowser said she has been working on investing in Ward 4, reforming schools and improving such corridors as Georgia Avenue.

Still, at the debate last week, Jahi, a former president of the Shepherd Park Citizens Association, tried to depict Bowser as a Fenty follower. The mayor endorsed Bowser as his successor last year.

"Do you want leadership that will represent you with provocative and independent thought?" Jahi asked the audience.

In Ward 2, lawyer Cary Silverman is also trying to cast Evans as a follower -- of business interests. Evans, chairman of the Committee on Finance and Revenue, has focused on big-ticket items, including the new Washington Nationals stadium and a $50 million renovation of Verizon Center, Silverman said.

Silverman said he would prioritize local parks and recreation centers and work full time. Evans also works as a lobbyist. Evans said that several parks and recreation centers, including Kennedy Recreation Center in Shaw, have been upgraded on his watch. He also said Ward 2, home to downtown and Georgetown's shopping district, generates half the city's revenue.

Former mayor Marion Barry (D-Ward 8) said he is undecided about running again.

But four Ward 8 residents, including community activist Sandra Seegars, obtained petitions Friday, and two others are expected to do the same.

"I didn't announce in 2004 until June 12th," said Barry. "I'm in no rush."

By Friday, two dozen potential candidates had picked up petitions.

Brown said he was the second person in line, behind shadow Rep. Michael J. Panetta (D-D.C.). Brown rattled off a schedule of activities that he said will show residents that he is still hungry for their vote. Among them:

"I'm also going to West Virginia for Barack."