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DC Ward 5 Councilmember, Kenyan McDuffie announces run for DC Attorney General

The Democrat first elected to D.C.'s council in 2012 announced his candidacy in a press conference Thursday morning surrounded by family and friends.

WASHINGTON — D.C.'s Ward 5 councilmember is throwing in his hat for the top legal office overseeing the nation's capital. 

D.C. Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie announced his run for the position of D.C. Attorney General in a press conference Thursday outside his home in Northeast.

In what is expected to be a wide-open race, McDuffie seems poised with years of name recognition and a well-established platform of criminal and racial justice reforms to be a leading candidate for the job.

"I will stand up to powerful interests and hold to account anyone who takes advantage of vulnerable residents," McDuffie said in his announcement speech.

McDuffie's resume includes multiple bills sponsored and authored as a D.C. Councilmember, including the most recent pushes for African American education in public schools, as well as providing low-income families "baby bonds" as investments for young Washingtonians.

RELATED: DC Councilmember proposes trust fund program for babies born to low income families

Current incumbent D.C. Attorney General Karl Racine declined to seek re-election for a third term earlier this year. McDuffie spoke of Racine's efforts since becoming the first elected Attorney General of the District.

"Attorney General Karl Racine has been a tireless advocate for us and a thorn in the side of those who violate our laws," said McDuffie. "Karl built the office of the Attorney General from the ground up. He constructed a solid foundation on which we will continue the pursuit of justice."

RELATED: This DC councilmember aims to add African-American history to the high school curriculum

In 2019, McDuffie defended a vote accused by some as a conflict of interest in favor of a no-bid gambling contract given to Potomac Supply Company. According to the Washington Post, the company mistakenly listed Kenyan's cousin, Keith McDuffie, as an executive with the company and set to financially gain from the contract. McDuffie and the company clarified the mistake.

Before joining the Council in 2012, McDuffie worked as a trial attorney for the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice and as an Assistant State’s Attorney in Prince George’s County.

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