This Tuesday, DC voters will decide if they want to continue the progressive gains of recent years and fight the rapid decline of affordable housing in the city.
Mayor Murial Bowser is without serious opposition. Her campaign has been a cakewalk without any other message than, things are OK, vote for me.
The interesting race is for City Council Chair which pits veteran Phil Mendelson vs. progressive policy wonk Ed Lazere. Mendelson has been involved in DC politics for over 40 years and throughout that tenure he has been an honest and effective reformer with a low-key style. However, over the recent past Mendelson has evolved into the sort of politician that he used to warn us about, i.e. beholden to big money and special interests especially realtors and developers. Before a vote Mendelson spearheaded to strip some tenants of the right to purchase their home, if sold, Mendelson cavorted with (mostly suburban) realtors like Scott Pruitt at a pro-coal convention. I’ll be voting for DC for Democracy endorsed Ed Lazere, a well-known policy wonk who founded a progressive think tank. Lazere carries none of the baggage as the incumbent without any of the big money taint.
The top two candidates in the at large Council race are incumbent Anita Bonds, the last standing remnant of the Marion Barry era against newcomer Jeremiah Lowery. Bonds is the ultimate survivor in DC politics and runs the local Democratic Party. She chairs the Council’s Housing Committee. Bonds sweet, grandmotherly style is contrasted with her cozyness with realtors and developers. Lowery has relied on social media for much of his campaign. He earned the endorsement of DC for Democracy.
The least known citywide race is for the leadership of the “State” Democratic Committee. The “Dump Trump” slate is supported by most progressives including DC for Democracy. DC Dem Chair Anita Bonds controls the other “Dems for Action” slate.
The most contentious vote will be on Initiative 77 which raises the tipped minimum wage to $15.00 an hour. The contrasting studies and contentions about this issue say that it is either a new beginning age of income inequality or a evil plan to eliminate the restaurant industry. As far as I can tell the proponents of the initiative want to raise wages of most restaurant workers at the expense of a handful of those who get huge tips at places like the Trump Hotel. I’ll be voting yes.