Ward 8 Democrats Endorse Karl Racine to Keep AG Seat
Phil Mendelson Comes Close But No Endorsements for council chairman and At-Large Council Seats at Candidates’ Forum
| Program Book - April 21 |
For Immediate Release:
April 21, 2018
Media Contact:
Troy Donte’ Prestwood
[email protected]
for the Ward 8 Democrats
202-642-4837
Anacostia, DC— Preserving affordable housing, increasing workforce development and fighting for better schools in Ward 8 were key topics debated at the Ward 8 Democrats Candidates’ Forum for Council Chairman, At-large Councilmember and DC Attorney General elected positions. The forum is the first of two that will take place in the ward before residents go to the polls to vote in the Democratic primary on June 19.
Registered Ward 8 Democrats voted overwhelmingly to endorse DC Attorney General Karl Racine as he seeks a second term. Racine, who is running unopposed in the DC Democratic primary, became the first DC Attorney General candidate to ever receive an endorsement from the Ward 8 Democrats.
Racine participated in a Q&A with Ward 8 voters where he discussed his record of reducing recidivism among city’s youth, enforcing housing code violations against slum landlords, and expanding consumer protections for city residents. He said he will focus on increasing protections for seniors in his next term.
While no further endorsements were earned from the Democratic political organization, Ward 8 residents did hear from the incumbent and challengers for council chairman and at-large councilmember. Current Council Chairman Phil Mendelson squared off against fiscal activist Ed Lazere and accountant Calvin Gurley while At-Large Councilmember Anita Bonds defended her record against management consultant and Ward 8 resident Aaron Holmes, progressive activist Jeremiah Lowery, and real estate developer Marcus Goodwin. A candidate must earn 60 percent of total votes cast to receive an endorsement from the Ward 8 Democrats.
“We would like to congratulate Attorney General Karl Racine on receiving this historic endorsement of the Ward 8 Democrats. We hope many of the issues discussed with voters will remain at the top of his list as we work to make our Ward great,” said Ward 8 Democrats President Charles Wilson. “On behalf of the Executive Committee of the Ward 8 Democrats, I would like to thank Council Chairman Mendelson, At-large Councilmember Anita Bonds, Mr. Holmes, Mr. Gurley, Mr. Lazere, Mr. Lowery, and Mr. Goodwin for their spirited participation and engagement of Ward 8 Democratic voters.”
The Ward 8 Democrats is the first political organization in the District to hold an endorsement forum during the 2018 election season. The event was held in the Anacostia neighborhood at the Department of For-Hire Vehicles and was moderated by Andrew Lightman, managing editor of Capital Community News, which publishes the East of the River newspaper.
By the Numbers
Registered Ward 8 Democratic voters participated in a straw poll to support candidates of their choice. A total of 81 ballots were cast with 78 counted and 3 marked provisional. Those ballots will be verified by the DC Board of Elections before being added to the final count.
For Democrat Chairman for Council of the District of Columbia
Phil Mendelson: 43
Ed Lazere: 20
Calvin Gurley: 8
Write-In: 3
No Endorsement: 3
For Democrat At-Large Councilmember for the Council of the District of Columbia
Anita Bonds: 33
Aaron Holmes: 21
Marcus Goodwin: 12
Jeremiah Lowery: 8
Write-In: 3
No Endorsement: 2
For Democrat Attorney General of the District of Columbia
Karl Racine: 66
Write-In: 3
No Endorsement: 5
The Ward 8 Democrats have hosted several community meetings and events to engage residents on important issues including the DC Comprehensive Plan, student attendance, and the Washington Gas merger with AltaGas. The next Ward 8 Democrat candidates’ forum will be held for Mayor, Delegate to Congress, and Shadow Representatives takes place Saturday, May 19. Early voting begins June 4 and runs through June 7 at One Judiciary Square. Early voting continues in Ward 8 at Malcolm X Elementary School from June 8 through June 15. Election Day is Tuesday, June 19.
About the Ward 8 Democrats:
The Ward 8 Democrats aim to engage Democratic voters in our community to advance basic principals of equality, accountability and transparency on behalf of every resident in Ward 8. For more information, visit www.ward8dems.com
April 21, 2018
Media Contact:
Troy Donte’ Prestwood
[email protected]
for the Ward 8 Democrats
202-642-4837
Anacostia, DC— Preserving affordable housing, increasing workforce development and fighting for better schools in Ward 8 were key topics debated at the Ward 8 Democrats Candidates’ Forum for Council Chairman, At-large Councilmember and DC Attorney General elected positions. The forum is the first of two that will take place in the ward before residents go to the polls to vote in the Democratic primary on June 19.
Registered Ward 8 Democrats voted overwhelmingly to endorse DC Attorney General Karl Racine as he seeks a second term. Racine, who is running unopposed in the DC Democratic primary, became the first DC Attorney General candidate to ever receive an endorsement from the Ward 8 Democrats.
Racine participated in a Q&A with Ward 8 voters where he discussed his record of reducing recidivism among city’s youth, enforcing housing code violations against slum landlords, and expanding consumer protections for city residents. He said he will focus on increasing protections for seniors in his next term.
While no further endorsements were earned from the Democratic political organization, Ward 8 residents did hear from the incumbent and challengers for council chairman and at-large councilmember. Current Council Chairman Phil Mendelson squared off against fiscal activist Ed Lazere and accountant Calvin Gurley while At-Large Councilmember Anita Bonds defended her record against management consultant and Ward 8 resident Aaron Holmes, progressive activist Jeremiah Lowery, and real estate developer Marcus Goodwin. A candidate must earn 60 percent of total votes cast to receive an endorsement from the Ward 8 Democrats.
“We would like to congratulate Attorney General Karl Racine on receiving this historic endorsement of the Ward 8 Democrats. We hope many of the issues discussed with voters will remain at the top of his list as we work to make our Ward great,” said Ward 8 Democrats President Charles Wilson. “On behalf of the Executive Committee of the Ward 8 Democrats, I would like to thank Council Chairman Mendelson, At-large Councilmember Anita Bonds, Mr. Holmes, Mr. Gurley, Mr. Lazere, Mr. Lowery, and Mr. Goodwin for their spirited participation and engagement of Ward 8 Democratic voters.”
The Ward 8 Democrats is the first political organization in the District to hold an endorsement forum during the 2018 election season. The event was held in the Anacostia neighborhood at the Department of For-Hire Vehicles and was moderated by Andrew Lightman, managing editor of Capital Community News, which publishes the East of the River newspaper.
By the Numbers
Registered Ward 8 Democratic voters participated in a straw poll to support candidates of their choice. A total of 81 ballots were cast with 78 counted and 3 marked provisional. Those ballots will be verified by the DC Board of Elections before being added to the final count.
For Democrat Chairman for Council of the District of Columbia
Phil Mendelson: 43
Ed Lazere: 20
Calvin Gurley: 8
Write-In: 3
No Endorsement: 3
For Democrat At-Large Councilmember for the Council of the District of Columbia
Anita Bonds: 33
Aaron Holmes: 21
Marcus Goodwin: 12
Jeremiah Lowery: 8
Write-In: 3
No Endorsement: 2
For Democrat Attorney General of the District of Columbia
Karl Racine: 66
Write-In: 3
No Endorsement: 5
The Ward 8 Democrats have hosted several community meetings and events to engage residents on important issues including the DC Comprehensive Plan, student attendance, and the Washington Gas merger with AltaGas. The next Ward 8 Democrat candidates’ forum will be held for Mayor, Delegate to Congress, and Shadow Representatives takes place Saturday, May 19. Early voting begins June 4 and runs through June 7 at One Judiciary Square. Early voting continues in Ward 8 at Malcolm X Elementary School from June 8 through June 15. Election Day is Tuesday, June 19.
About the Ward 8 Democrats:
The Ward 8 Democrats aim to engage Democratic voters in our community to advance basic principals of equality, accountability and transparency on behalf of every resident in Ward 8. For more information, visit www.ward8dems.com