Ward 4 council race: Any chance for a Leon Andrews win over Brandon Todd?

[Anonymous]

This was on our listserv yesterday:

Yesterday's Northwest Current endorsed Leon Andrews for Ward 4 Council, ending with the following quote: "However, those who want someone who is more independent and see a need to eliminate the appearance of "pay-to-play" should join us in supporting Mr. Andrews."

A telling example of this issue can be found on page V8 in the Voter Guide from The Current -also in Wednesday's issue. On the sixth question from the bottom, The Current asked the candidates: "The Washington Post reported that many of Mayor Bowser`s proposed shelter sites would benefit campaign contributors. What are your thoughts?" The following are the candidates answers:

Leon Andrews: "There is evidence of that. In Ward 4 the developer made a contribution to the current council member. There is evidence of pay-to-play."
Ron Austin: "It seems as though it is. And that is why we shouldn't use those facilities."
Calvin Gurley: "It's business as usual in D.C."
Brandon Todd: "No comment."

I guess there is no need for me to comment.

This morning I again tried to access the Office of Campaign Finance's contributions data base to no avail. However, those interested may try to access the download I previously posted from the data I downloaded to my cloud:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/koe4wxrxxv6qo48/ToddCampaignContributions.pdf?dl=0


NEEDLESS TO SAY, I AM VOTING FOR ANDREWS!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Brandon is a nice guy, but still acts like he's on Muriel's payroll. I think the folks who support Andrews, but don't want to annoy the Mayor by being public about it, will give Leon the win.

I hope so. That describes me.

[Anonymous]

OP here. 10:48, I also saw that excerpt on the listserv, and read each candidate's statement in that issue of the NW Current. I wasn't super impressed overall with Todd's statement--didn't contain many specifics. When asked how he differentiates himself from the other candidates, he simply responds, "I am the incumbent and have the experience to deliver." Also, I don't like that he supports businesses being able to make political contributions to individual local candidates (all other candidates said no).

That said, who knows whether Andrews can achieve his campaign pledges/expressed interests--16-weeks paid family leave, finishing Shepherd Elementary modernization, increasing focus on arts, science technology in schools instead of teaching to the test, etc.

I passed Shepherd Elementary after work and saw a cluster of new Todd yard signs in front of the school, and Todd signs covering up an Andrews sign on a nearby utility pole. Just passed a little while ago again--an Andrews campaign worker was out there, and there is now a huge number of Andrews yard signs enveloping the Todd signs. Lol. It's like the Butter-Battle Book.

Hope everyone votes tomorrow. It's going to be a zoo there when I walk my kid to school. Should be an interesting evening, though, when the results come in.

[Anonymous]

Exit poll: What neighborhood and how did you vote?

Shepherd Park, Andrews.

[Anonymous]

Petworth - Andrews

[Anonymous]

CCDC- I'll be voting for Andrews tonight.

[Anonymous]

I think the Green Machine base is just too strong to overcome in W4. I voted Andrews, but expect Todd to win comfortably.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think the Green Machine base is just too strong to overcome in W4. I voted Andrews, but expect Todd to win comfortably.

Same here -13:44

Lots of loyalty politics going on around here. I definitely wouldn't get my hopes up.

[Anonymous]

I agree that the Green machine has momentum. But frankiy, these elections are won on such a small number of votes that anything is possible.

As an example, Nadeau won over Graham in 2014 by 6600 to 4400 in Ward 1. I have to believe DCUM has sway over a few thousand Ward 4 voters (or am I kidding myself?). Maybe turnout will be higher due to the presidential balloting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:CCDC- I'll be voting for Andrews tonight.

I was unaware that CCDC was part of Ward 4 until I read this and researched. Interesting.

[Anonymous]

SP: Andrews

[Anonymous]

OP. Shepherd Park: Andrews.

[Anonymous]

Not looking good for Andrews

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:Not looking good for Andrews

Nope, a bunch of W4 precincts still haven't reported, but I expect those will just add to Todd's total. It looks like Andrews got the 40% that I expected he would start out with, but couldn't get the rest that he needed. All the other Team Green candidates are going down at the moment. So, Todd is the one bright light left for Bowser.

[Anonymous]

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not looking good for Andrews

Nope, a bunch of W4 precincts still haven't reported, but I expect those will just add to Todd's total. It looks like Andrews got the 40% that I expected he would start out with, but couldn't get the rest that he needed. All the other Team Green candidates are going down at the moment. So, Todd is the one bright light left for Bowser.

Ugh. Without other Green Team council members, I'm guessing this means Todd might less effective for Ward 4.