Fenty Challenger Launches Campaign

Leo Alexander, a TV reporter turned insurance sales executive, kicked off his uphill campaign for D.C. mayor Monday night.

Although the venue was small -- Pier 7 restaurant at the Channel Inn in Southwest -- the room was filled with friends, old acquaintances and community activists eager to see whether Alexander can be an alternative to Mayor Adrian M. Fenty (D).

As a jazz band played in a corner and guests mingled, Alexander, 45, said he was more than pleased with the turnout.

"I'm moved by it," he said. "For the first event, a first announcement, for someone who has never run for anything in D.C. . . . "

Fenty's campaign coffers are nearing $3 million, and the 38-year-old mayor, who won every precinct in his 2006 election, remains popular, despite dissatisfaction with his missteps and his contentious relationship with council members, among others.

"We don't have any money but we have a ton of ideas," Alexander said. "We're up against someone who has a ton of money but no ideas."

Sulaimon Brown, an auditor, had previously announced his candidacy.

Alexander, who worked as a reporter for the local NBC affiliate, said that the eastern sector of the city is not happy with Fenty and that the discontent is spreading. "I'm hearing grumblings, even in Ward 3," he said.

He said he decided to run six months ago, itching to jump into elected office. He chose the office of mayor with the urging of friends.

"They were, like, look, we can deal with [Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton] for two years, but we can't live with Fenty for two minutes," Alexander said.

According to his biography distributed Monday night, Alexander, a Brooklyn native and graduate of the University of South Alabama, has been involved in social service issues through his career as a reporter. After leaving broadcasting, he worked as vice president of marketing and public affairs for D.C. General Hospital and later as director of the Office of Public Affairs and Communications for the D.C. Public Housing Authority.

Alexander said he can be formidable against Fenty if he can raise $250,000 by January. The mayor won his first council race up against a well-funded incumbent.