WASHINGTON — Early in-person voting in the District begins Sunday, May 26. One of the most hotly contested races is in Ward 7. The question: who will succeed the retiring Vince Gray - who has dominated Ward 7 politics for two decades.
There are 10 people vying for the Democratic nomination. WUSA9 focused on the four candidates leading the pack in fundraising and the one and only straw poll held back in March. The poll was conducted by the Ward 7 Democrats, an organization chaired most recently by Wendell Felder who took a leave of absence soon after announcing his candidacy. Felder won the straw poll.
Cars and campaign signs cover about every major intersection in Ward 7. Ten candidates are running to fill the council seat – which has only been held by two people in the last 20 years. Vince Gray, first elected to the Council in 2005, left after becoming Mayor in 2011. Yvette Alexander was elected and served one term as Ward 7 Councilmember. Gray lost his Mayoral re-election bid and returned to the Council in 2017. In this high-stakes race, WUSA9 is focusing on the issues that matter to voters.
“Attract businesses to Ward 7,” said Veda Rasheed.
“I am opposed to bringing a new NFL stadium back,” said Ebony Payne.
“Quality schools, safe streets, neighborhood-serving amenities,” said Wendell Felder.
“Balancing the economic development with housing affordability,” said Eboni Rose Thompson.
According to the Office of Campaign Finance, these four candidates have raised the most money in their quest to replace retiring Councilmember Vince Gray. While the 81-year-old is recovering from two strokes (one in 2021 and a second at the end of April 2024), he recently released a statement through his office endorsing Wendell Felder.
The other candidates are as follows:
Ebbon Allen
Kelvin Brown
Nate Fleming
Roscoe Grant, Jr.
Villareal “VJ” Johnson
Denise Reed
“I think the best endorsement that I could get is that of the people of Ward 7,” said Rasheed when we interviewed her before Gray’s endorsement. The lawyer and former ANC Commissioner came in a strong second place when she ran against Gray in 2020.
“I ran against a political giant,” said Rasheed. “I understand the needs of the ward. I have continued to work. I did not stop.”
We met Rasheed outside of Kipp DC Charter School on Benning Road where she said her advocacy roots took shape.
“This is where it started for me a bullet piercing through my kid’s classroom window,” she explained.
We met current ANC Commissioner Ebony Payne at Kingman Island which she described as the ward’s natural resource that played an integral role in supporting mental health during the pandemic.
“I think that Ward 7 is really looking forward to a new energy and someone who hasn't been steeped in the political machine for decades,” said Payne.
ANC Commissioner and Former Chair of the Ward 7 Democrats Wendell Felder met us at 58th and East Capitol Streets, Northeast where he grew up and got his political start.
“I'm a trusted face, a recognizable face and one that has the public service track record of getting things done,” said Felder.
State Board of Education Chair Eboni Rose Thompson wanted to meet at Kimball Elementary School on Minnesota Avenue, SE where her mother once taught.
“Kimball was one of the first big projects (modernization) I worked on,” she said. “I actually know how to work with my colleagues who represent different parts of the city.”
The candidates all agree to improve educational outcomes and continue Gray's legacy on building a health network East of the River.
On safety:
“We have to have a crime plan that's actually able to prosecute DNA analysis, drug testing, and things like that so that we can have successful prosecutions,” Rasheed responded.
“When it comes to crime, we should be looking at it as a public health crisis,” said Payne.
“The District should focus more on crisis interveners to accompany police officers,” Felder said.
“Community policing is something that is very important to me,” Thompson replied.
On young people:
“We need to make sure that our parents are getting the resources that they need,” said Rasheed.
“I definitely want to see providing more mental health counselors to these students,” Payne responded.
“The first thing I would do is push to expand the Summer Youth Employment program to make it all year round,” explained Felder.
“We need to make sure young people are engaged and educated,” said Thompson.
On economic development:
“I think that we all need to have a strong community development corporation that is out attracting businesses. One person cannot do it alone. We have to do it together with the resources we have,” Rasheed explained.
“I've built a network of over 200 local farmers in the Mid-Atlantic region and I'm very passionate about solving Ward 7's food desert,” said Payne.
“I want to introduce legislation that says moving forward 50% of capital projects in Ward 7 must receive 7 years of capital dollars,” Felder said, “that way there’s no short gap in the project, you’re creating jobs and then residents won’t be stuck with an eye sore.”
“The next Councilmember should say, ‘You know what, yes Ward 7 needs a grocery store. Yes, we deserve healthy food. Yes, we deserve amenities,” said Thompson. “Also, it's good for you.”
On RFK:
Three candidates are opposed to another NFL stadium and want to see a mixed-use development with retail, housing, and community space, except Felder. He says it is too early in the process to decide.
Felder is stepping back comments he made in a recent ACLU survey. When asked if the council passed a bill that he opposed, would he ask Congress to intervene? He answered yes.
“We got it wrong, there's no ifs, ands or buts about it,” he quickly replied.
But they all agree the stakes are high in a ward facing a transition - not only on the political landscape, but the economic horizon; challenged with moving stalled projects forward and its people too.
Early in-person voting begins Sunday, May 26. The primary is June 4. To learn more about voting and find a polling place check out the DC Board of Elections.