WASHINGTON — Primary Day in D.C. brought in a steady stream of voters to cast ballots in some of the most closely watched races for DC Council. In Ward 4, crime has dominated the race as incumbent first-term Councilmember Janeese Lewis George seeks re-election.
Even though the latest MPD data shows violent crime is down 27% from this time last year, it remains a top priority especially as voters consider who will represent them on the council. Lewis George has received criticism from her competitors for being too liberal on public safety. In fact, during the crime bill debate, Lewis George voted against the provision to detain someone pretrial. But she is quick to remind voters she is the only candidate who worked as a prosecutor. Former Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner Paul Johnson and current ANC Lisa Gore are challenging to unseat her.
“We’ve had a lot of robberies and break-ins to vehicles and also quality of life is of great importance to people,” said voter and Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner 4E05 Ulysses Campbell. “It’s important to have someone with qualifications coming in I think people need to have a position.”
By noon on June 4, the Board of Election reported collecting just more than 52,000 ballots via mail-in, dropbox, and early in-person voting.
“We need to encourage our young people to vote. They say it is not going to matter but we are only going to count in numbers,” said Ward 7 voter Marion Briscoe.
The race to replace long-time Ward 7 Councilmember Vince Gray is the most watched and competitive contest in town, bringing in 10 Democratic candidates all vying for the job. The winner of the primary may face write-in candidates or independents in November’s General Election, but it is expected that the winner of the primary will move on to become only the third Ward 7 Councilmember in 20 years.
Former mayor Gray, 81, is retiring as he recovers from two strokes. WUSA9 recently interviewed the top four candidates based on fundraising and polling. The final push has brought lots of council endorsements including Vince Gray for Wendell Felder and At-Large Christina Henderson for Eboni-Rose Thompson. Still, voters will endorse who they believe is best to tackle the major issues facing the Ward.
“Around here we have an issue with crime, and we have all these speed cameras and what is it doing? It’s not a deterrent,” said Ward 7 voter Jacinda Ely. “We need something better than that the gun violence out here is ridiculous, the food desert, I can’t even get into that, and the education, why do you need to go to charters when there are schools right here? But most of the time schools over here are not very good.”
Ely voted Tuesday with her two sons including 8-year-old Jace, who would not reveal the candidate the family voted for but offered his opinion.
“I feel like she’s fighting for our rights and making sure our public schools are better and our crime,” said Jace Hargraves.
Ward 7’s neighbor East of the River, also has a high-stakes race. Two-term incumbent Councilmember Trayon White is asking voters to send him back to the Wilson Building. Two men are seeking to unseat him, former Ballou High School principal Rachman Branch and ANC Commissioner Salim Adolfo. Voters told WUSA9 that among their priorities are crime, education, housing, and social programs.
“We need a change. We need a big change,” said Deborah Seymour who convinced her brothers to vote in the primary. “You don’t have a say so if you don’t do nothing. I need a person who is going to do what he says he is going to do and not just promise us, we are tired of promises.”
Councilmember At-Large Robert White is facing off with comedian Rodney Red Grant. Both candidates ran and lost their bid for Mayor two years ago.
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