It's Karl Racine's Council

[jsteele]

The strongest political endorsement in DC doesn't come from the Mayor and certainly not The Washington Post. It comes from Karl Racine who has built a powerful political machine. Of the Council's 13 current members and likely general election winners, Racine is behind the following:

Ward 1 - Brianne K. Nadeau - Endorsed by Racine
Ward 2 - Brooke Pinto - Former Racine employee and endorsed by Racine
Ward 3 - Matt Frumin - Endorsed by Racine
Ward 4 - Janeese Lewis George - Former Racine employee and endorsed by Racine
Ward 5 - Zachary Parker - Endorsed by Racine
At Large - Robert White - Former Racine employee and endorsed by Racine
At Large - Elissa Silverman - Endorsed by Racine

I am not aware of Racine endorsing Ward 5's Charles Allen, but certainly there is a considerable meeting of the minds between the two.

I am in no way suggesting that these Council Members or Council Members to be are puppets of Racine. Moreover, the Racine-backed candidates generally are also backed by a number of grassroots organizations that are able to put a lot of feet on the ground for campaigning and organizing. So, Racine's support is not the only factor in these candidates' success. But Racine's influence should not be ignored.

[Anonymous]

Interesting observation. What do you think his political future holds, given that he didn’t challenge Bowser. Doesn’t seem like his chances to be Mayor will improve in 4 years.

[Anonymous]

Charles Allen is Ward 6, but I assume that was just a typo. I don't think Racine has ever endorsed him, but he's also run largely unopposed or entirely unopposed since Racine came on the scene, so it may not mean much.

Racine also endorsed future AG Schwalb very early on, ran commercials with him, etc.

I think it's funny that none of them endorsed Bonds, but none of them official endorsed against Bonds... clearly because they saw she was going to win.

[Anonymous]

odds Racine runs for mayor as an independent?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Interesting observation. What do you think his political future holds, given that he didn’t challenge Bowser. Doesn’t seem like his chances to be Mayor will improve in 4 years.

I think Racine will cruise to election as Mayor in 2026. Bowser won't go for a 4th term. I bet these two struck an agreement - he won't primary her in 2022 as long as she clears the deck for him in 2026. No need to fight!

He'll spend the next 3 years making gobs of money in the private sector and getting his donors in line.

[Anonymous]

OP is correct, and I've said this in real life. The progressive party is very organized at the national level and guides local candidates.

However, I'm very dismayed by these victories as their policies on schools and crime run counter to mine. I specifically voted against any candidates endorsed by Racine or Washington Teachers Union. Both are part of the progressive agenda.

[Anonymous]

I thought Racine was an excellent AG

[Anonymous]

The work on consumer protection is top notch

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Interesting observation. What do you think his political future holds, given that he didn’t challenge Bowser. Doesn’t seem like his chances to be Mayor will improve in 4 years.

I think Racine will cruise to election as Mayor in 2026. Bowser won't go for a 4th term. I bet these two struck an agreement - he won't primary her in 2022 as long as she clears the deck for him in 2026. No need to fight!

He'll spend the next 3 years making gobs of money in the private sector and getting his donors in line.

Yeah that’s a good point, though runs the risk that someone else emerges in the next 4 years. If his plan is to run in 26, then why not serve another term as AG, where he was highly respected and has a national profile?

[Anonymous]

I thought he was going national?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I thought he was going national?

He was rumored to be on the short list for a Biden admin position, possibly FTC commissioner given his record in consumer protection. But it didn’t come together.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I thought he was going national?

Yeah, he could be angling for an appointment in the current Administration; that makes sense. But really, he could punch his ticket for the next 3 years and make enough money to stop working, then go on to the Mayor's office.

[Anonymous]

Racine endorsed Robert White for mayor. How did that work out?

[Anonymous]

This is interesting. I wonder what his take on Christina Henderson is. She is my favorite council member (though I voted for Parker in Ward 5 and am excited about him, and especially excited to be done with the McDuffie era). To me she splits the difference between the Mando-style pragmatic incrementalism, and the White/Palmer progressivism. She's very progressive but also very practical.

I could get enthusiastic about a Mayor Racine and a Council Chair Henderson. I would prefer it to both Bowser/Mendo and White/Palmer.

[Anonymous]

Agree would like to see Racine run and become mayor, and sooner rather than later. 😀