Students registered in the District of Columbia will have a chance this Tuesday to vote in the city’ s primary elections. Many of these races will be decided at the primary stage, so Tuesday’s votes will end up deciding many of the November winners. The following is a list of Tuesday’s Ward 2 contests and the Voice’ s endorsements in contested elections. Voters will only be able to participate in primaries for the party in which they are registered.
Democratic Ballot:
Delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives
Candidate: Eleanor Holmes Norton
At-Large Member of the City Council:
Candidates: Kwame Brown, Harold Brazil and Sam Brooks
Voice Endorses: Sam Brooks
Incumbent Harold Brazil represents much of what is wrong in D.C. politics today. A member of D.C.’ s old guard, Brazil only works part-time for the city (he also works as a personal injury lawyer). He has been proven corrupt and largely ineffectual as a council member.
In contrast, Sam Brooks would offer a fresh voice on the council. Optimistic, energetic and full of youthful idealism, Brooks would have an opportunity to revitalize the council and the city. While inexperience is his one shortcoming, in interviews and candidate debates Brooks has time and again proven to have a strong command of the issues and an understanding of what a city in transition needs.
Ward Two Member of the Council
Candidate: Jack Evans
United States Representative:
Candidates: Susana Baranano and Ray Browne
Voice Endorses: Ray Browne
Ray Browne has proven himself to be an effective advocate for D.C. statehood. An experienced Advisory Neighborhood Comission member and Neighborhood Planning Council member, Browne has gained support for the city from politicians across the country.
Republican Ballot:
Delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives:
Candidate: Michael Andrew Monroe
At-Large Member of the Council
Candidates: Robert Pittman, Don Folden, Sr. and Carol Schwartz
Voice Endorses: Carol Schwartz
While political newcomer Robert Pittman has what it takes to become an effective council member, Carol Schwartz is one of the District’ s strongest politicians. As an at-large member, Schwartz has effectively bridged the city’s diverse constituencies, making her equally popular among the city’s Republicans and Democrats, black, white and Latino communities, and the gay and straight communities.
Green Party Ballot:
At-Large Member of the Council:
Candidate: Laurent Ross
Ward Two Member of the Council:
Candidate: Jay Houston Marx
United State Representative:
Candidate: Adam Eidinger
