'Bowser? Catania? Schwartz? D.C. mayoral race rests on an uninspired electorate' diff viewer (0/1)

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~~Bowser? Catania? D.C. mayoral race rests on an uninspired electorate~~	Bowser? Catania? Schwartz? D.C. mayoral race rests on an uninspired electorate
2014-09-14 03:51:47 UTC	2014-09-14 17:25:18 UTC (about 14 hours later)
In April, Alison Schafer went to the polls to get rid of D.C. Mayor Vincent C. Gray, whom she believes embarrassed her city by running a corrupt campaign in 2010. Mission accomplished, “I sort of feel like I’ve done my job,” she says, even if there is the outstanding matter of a vote on Nov. 4 to choose Gray’s successor.	In April, Alison Schafer went to the polls to get rid of D.C. Mayor Vincent C. Gray, whom she believes embarrassed her city by running a corrupt campaign in 2010. Mission accomplished, “I sort of feel like I’ve done my job,” she says, even if there is the outstanding matter of a vote on Nov. 4 to choose Gray’s successor.
“Call me cynical, but I question whether this election really matters,” says Schafer, 51, who lives in Georgetown and works at the World Bank. A lifelong Democrat, she figures the woman who ousted Gray, council member Muriel Bowser (D-Ward 4), will win more or less by default: “My vote for her in the primary was sort of an anti-Gray vote, but I guess I’d vote for her again. She passes the George W. Bush test — I could have a beer with her.”	“Call me cynical, but I question whether this election really matters,” says Schafer, 51, who lives in Georgetown and works at the World Bank. A lifelong Democrat, she figures the woman who ousted Gray, council member Muriel Bowser (D-Ward 4), will win more or less by default: “My vote for her in the primary was sort of an anti-Gray vote, but I guess I’d vote for her again. She passes the George W. Bush test — I could have a beer with her.”
Less than two months before Washington chooses its next mayor, the election is a rare puzzle, a November election that means something in a town where mayors are generally chosen in the Democratic primary; a strangely quiet three-way race in which the Democrat, the presumptive front-runner, has so far eschewed the usual nightly ritual of neighborhood forums and debates, as independents David A. Catania and Carol Schwartz have struggled to win voters’ attention.	Less than two months before Washington chooses its next mayor, the election is a rare puzzle, a November election that means something in a town where mayors are generally chosen in the Democratic primary; a strangely quiet three-way race in which the Democrat, the presumptive front-runner, has so far eschewed the usual nightly ritual of neighborhood forums and debates, as independents David A. Catania and Carol Schwartz have struggled to win voters’ attention.
This could be a tight contest in which voters elect the city’s first white mayor (Catania or Schwartz), first openly gay mayor (Catania), or first mayor who isn’t a Democrat (Catania and Schwartz are former Republicans). Or it could run according to the script that has governed every mayoral race in the District’s four decades of home rule: Democrat wins, no real contest.	This could be a tight contest in which voters elect the city’s first white mayor (Catania or Schwartz), first openly gay mayor (Catania), or first mayor who isn’t a Democrat (Catania and Schwartz are former Republicans). Or it could run according to the script that has governed every mayoral race in the District’s four decades of home rule: Democrat wins, no real contest.
It all depends on who bothers to show up in what all sides expect to be a very low-turnout election — the result of lack of enthusiasm about the candidates, the long-standing pattern of barely contested November mayoral elections, cynicism born of the cavalcade of corruption cases during Gray’s term or a blend of those reasons. Will young newcomers show up? Will black voters, a majority of whom sided with Gray against Bowser in the primary, fall in with the Democratic nominee?	It all depends on who bothers to show up in what all sides expect to be a very low-turnout election — the result of lack of enthusiasm about the candidates, the long-standing pattern of barely contested November mayoral elections, cynicism born of the cavalcade of corruption cases during Gray’s term or a blend of those reasons. Will young newcomers show up? Will black voters, a majority of whom sided with Gray against Bowser in the primary, fall in with the Democratic nominee?
What’s clear so far is that many voters agree with Schafer that their main objective this year — ending Gray’s mayoralty — has already been accomplished.	What’s clear so far is that many voters agree with Schafer that their main objective this year — ending Gray’s mayoralty — has already been accomplished.
“Gray was wrong for not knowing what the people under him was doing,” says Tammy Ingram, 51, an Anacostia resident who recently became unemployed when the company she worked for lost its contract with the D.C. government. “All our politicians end up in jail or with a big question mark over them. I know a lot of people who’ve stopped voting. I still go, because you’re supposed to, but I wonder why I’m voting. I mean, Bowser — why does she want to be mayor? Is she really doing this from the heart?”	“Gray was wrong for not knowing what the people under him was doing,” says Tammy Ingram, 51, an Anacostia resident who recently became unemployed when the company she worked for lost its contract with the D.C. government. “All our politicians end up in jail or with a big question mark over them. I know a lot of people who’ve stopped voting. I still go, because you’re supposed to, but I wonder why I’m voting. I mean, Bowser — why does she want to be mayor? Is she really doing this from the heart?”
That frustration has been evident in the weeks after Labor Day, traditionally the start of intensive campaigning.	That frustration has been evident in the weeks after Labor Day, traditionally the start of intensive campaigning.
At a backyard gathering in Anacostia, Bowser’s staff sets up a tent, sound system, portable restrooms and snacks for 100. But aside from campaign workers, fewer than a dozen voters show up.	At a backyard gathering in Anacostia, Bowser’s staff sets up a tent, sound system, portable restrooms and snacks for 100. But aside from campaign workers, fewer than a dozen voters show up.
A few days later, at Freedom Plaza downtown, Schwartz’s campaign powered up an impressive loudspeaker system and spread festive balloons across the vast concrete expanse as the candidate delivered her formal kickoff address. Again, not even a dozen voters stopped by.	A few days later, at Freedom Plaza downtown, Schwartz’s campaign powered up an impressive loudspeaker system and spread festive balloons across the vast concrete expanse as the candidate delivered her formal kickoff address. Again, not even a dozen voters stopped by.
At-large council member Catania has run the most energetic and visible campaign, and his camp has leaked internal polling — revealing only bare details of the survey’s methodology — that purports to show a close race between himself and Bowser. But some supporters of each of the three candidates say they don’t believe any early indications of where voters stand because they don’t think voters really stand anywhere.	At-large council member Catania has run the most energetic and visible campaign, and his camp has leaked internal polling — revealing only bare details of the survey’s methodology — that purports to show a close race between himself and Bowser. But some supporters of each of the three candidates say they don’t believe any early indications of where voters stand because they don’t think voters really stand anywhere.
“I don’t see any of them generating enthusiasm,” says Howard Croft, who kept close watch on D.C. elections during years as an urban-studies professor at the University of the District of Columbia. Now retired, Croft, who voted for D.C. Council member Tommy Wells (D-Ward 6) in the primary, is grudgingly supporting Bowser, whom he expects will win on autopilot: “It comes down to the most frequent, regular voters, who are Democrats and aren’t that disillusioned with her. But I don’t think she’s demonstrated that she’s anybody’s champion.”	“I don’t see any of them generating enthusiasm,” says Howard Croft, who kept close watch on D.C. elections during years as an urban-studies professor at the University of the District of Columbia. Now retired, Croft, who voted for D.C. Council member Tommy Wells (D-Ward 6) in the primary, is grudgingly supporting Bowser, whom he expects will win on autopilot: “It comes down to the most frequent, regular voters, who are Democrats and aren’t that disillusioned with her. But I don’t think she’s demonstrated that she’s anybody’s champion.”
Interviews with more than 40 voters across the city’s geographic, racial and class lines find residents exhausted by the drumbeat of corruption allegations, generally pleased with the District’s improved quality of life and economic expansion, but frustrated by stubbornly fixed inequalities, and uninspired by any of the candidates.	Interviews with more than 40 voters across the city’s geographic, racial and class lines find residents exhausted by the drumbeat of corruption allegations, generally pleased with the District’s improved quality of life and economic expansion, but frustrated by stubbornly fixed inequalities, and uninspired by any of the candidates.
One of the most difficult nuts for mayoral candidates to crack is whether and which of the city’s many new, young residents will vote.	One of the most difficult nuts for mayoral candidates to crack is whether and which of the city’s many new, young residents will vote.
Facing soaring rents and eager to take advantage of the amenities in the city’s new NoMa neighborhood, Kim Bryden, 26, gave up her own place in June and moved in with two roommates, paying $1,400 a month for her share of a three-bedroom apartment.	Facing soaring rents and eager to take advantage of the amenities in the city’s new NoMa neighborhood, Kim Bryden, 26, gave up her own place in June and moved in with two roommates, paying $1,400 a month for her share of a three-bedroom apartment.
“It’s definitely made me think about how economic development is changing the whole community,” says Bryden, a marketer for a food and beverage association.	“It’s definitely made me think about how economic development is changing the whole community,” says Bryden, a marketer for a food and beverage association.
She voted in April but can’t remember which of two liberal candidates she settled on — Wells or restaurateur Andy Shallal. Now, she’s “pretty steadfast” for Bowser after hearing the candidate speak at a tech gathering, where “she made good points about making the entire city grow.”	She voted in April but can’t remember which of two liberal candidates she settled on — Wells or restaurateur Andy Shallal. Now, she’s “pretty steadfast” for Bowser after hearing the candidate speak at a tech gathering, where “she made good points about making the entire city grow.”
But Bowser strikes Hayden Higgins, 23, as “overly cautious.” He’s unimpressed by what he sees as her lackluster record. Higgins, who came to town a year ago, is a climate-change activist eager to find a candidate who aligns with his progressive agenda, from affordable housing to going green.	But Bowser strikes Hayden Higgins, 23, as “overly cautious.” He’s unimpressed by what he sees as her lackluster record. Higgins, who came to town a year ago, is a climate-change activist eager to find a candidate who aligns with his progressive agenda, from affordable housing to going green.
Sitting outside Big Bear Cafe on First Street NW, behind a MacBook plastered with Amnesty International and “I Read Banned Books” stickers, Higgins says Catania might have the forceful character the job requires. But Higgins is wary of Catania’s Republican pedigree and was disappointed that both Catania and Bowser supported a recent cut in the business tax, which he saw as “bowing down to developers.”	Sitting outside Big Bear Cafe on First Street NW, behind a MacBook plastered with Amnesty International and “I Read Banned Books” stickers, Higgins says Catania might have the forceful character the job requires. But Higgins is wary of Catania’s Republican pedigree and was disappointed that both Catania and Bowser supported a recent cut in the business tax, which he saw as “bowing down to developers.”
He’s a fan of the D.C. Statehood Green Party, but he is not willing to cast a protest vote for its mayoral candidate, the 90-year-old actress Faith, who is making her ninth bid for the office. Ultimately, he’ll settle on Bowser or Catania.	He’s a fan of the D.C. Statehood Green Party, but he is not willing to cast a protest vote for its mayoral candidate, the 90-year-old actress Faith, who is making her ninth bid for the office. Ultimately, he’ll settle on Bowser or Catania.
“We all assume Bowser wins and that’s that,” says Higgins, who lives in a Bloomingdale group house with nine other people. “I want to cast my vote in the most useful way I can and test that hypothesis.”	“We all assume Bowser wins and that’s that,” says Higgins, who lives in a Bloomingdale group house with nine other people. “I want to cast my vote in the most useful way I can and test that hypothesis.”
Big Bear’s shady patio is a crossroads of the new Washington, where free WiFi and a caffeine buzz lure a mix of young newcomers, older whites and a few African American residents who remain in a neighborhood that was almost entirely black just a decade ago. Across Florida Avenue NW, behind a rack of Capital Bikeshare bicycles, a onetime open-air drug market is now a modern playground where a group of middle-age black men play dominoes.	Big Bear’s shady patio is a crossroads of the new Washington, where free WiFi and a caffeine buzz lure a mix of young newcomers, older whites and a few African American residents who remain in a neighborhood that was almost entirely black just a decade ago. Across Florida Avenue NW, behind a rack of Capital Bikeshare bicycles, a onetime open-air drug market is now a modern playground where a group of middle-age black men play dominoes.
The usual lamentations over the changes wrought by gentrification fill the air. The men trade stories about black families priced out of their neighborhood; no one sees hope that any of the candidates will find a balance between rapid growth and the loss of long-standing communities.	The usual lamentations over the changes wrought by gentrification fill the air. The men trade stories about black families priced out of their neighborhood; no one sees hope that any of the candidates will find a balance between rapid growth and the loss of long-standing communities.
Ted Burton, 56, flicks a yo-yo and pronounces himself fed up with new people, whether moving onto the block or running for office.	Ted Burton, 56, flicks a yo-yo and pronounces himself fed up with new people, whether moving onto the block or running for office.
“It’s not like when Marion Barry ran the show,” says Burton, who lives on First Street NW. “Marion Barry did some wrong things, but he got jobs for the poor. He saved D.C. General [Hospital]. None of these folks are going to do it like Marion Barry did.”	“It’s not like when Marion Barry ran the show,” says Burton, who lives on First Street NW. “Marion Barry did some wrong things, but he got jobs for the poor. He saved D.C. General [Hospital]. None of these folks are going to do it like Marion Barry did.”
Blacks are still a clear majority of the D.C. electorate, even though the black population has slipped below the 50 percent mark. To win, therefore, Bowser would need more of the African American vote than she got in April.	Blacks are still a clear majority of the D.C. electorate, even though the black population has slipped below the 50 percent mark. To win, therefore, Bowser would need more of the African American vote than she got in April.
“I honestly believed in Gray the first time,” says Hester Campbell, 75, a retired postal worker who lives in North Michigan Park. “But when all the allegations came out, I lost my respect for him. It’s G-O-N-E, gone.”	“I honestly believed in Gray the first time,” says Hester Campbell, 75, a retired postal worker who lives in North Michigan Park. “But when all the allegations came out, I lost my respect for him. It’s G-O-N-E, gone.”
Campbell says she appreciates Schwartz’s 16 years as an at-large council member but adds, “I’m not going to change over; I’m a lifelong Democrat.” As for Catania, “I will be very candid,” Campbell says. “If you’re a man and you’re going to sleep with men, how can you represent me, because I’m a woman of dignity and a woman of integrity — a born-again Christian.” She plans to vote for Bowser: “I don’t know much about her, but I have to vote for somebody.”	Campbell says she appreciates Schwartz’s 16 years as an at-large council member but adds, “I’m not going to change over; I’m a lifelong Democrat.” As for Catania, “I will be very candid,” Campbell says. “If you’re a man and you’re going to sleep with men, how can you represent me, because I’m a woman of dignity and a woman of integrity — a born-again Christian.” She plans to vote for Bowser: “I don’t know much about her, but I have to vote for somebody.”
Race, so often an overt factor in D.C. elections, doesn’t seem to be a prominent consideration this year, says Croft, the retired UDC professor. “For example, among people who are really involved in the schools, Catania is not just the white guy or the gay guy,” he says. “He’s the guy with a real reputation for reforming the schools. But David has to give people like me a reason to vote for a conservative guy. And I don’t see him or Bowser making a big deal of what ought to be the big issues — affordable housing and jobs. Interestingly enough, the only one I hear talking about poor people is Carol Schwartz.”	Race, so often an overt factor in D.C. elections, doesn’t seem to be a prominent consideration this year, says Croft, the retired UDC professor. “For example, among people who are really involved in the schools, Catania is not just the white guy or the gay guy,” he says. “He’s the guy with a real reputation for reforming the schools. But David has to give people like me a reason to vote for a conservative guy. And I don’t see him or Bowser making a big deal of what ought to be the big issues — affordable housing and jobs. Interestingly enough, the only one I hear talking about poor people is Carol Schwartz.”
Another wild card is whether independents and Republicans — small in numbers but with a rare chance to have an impact — will splinter their votes.	Another wild card is whether independents and Republicans — small in numbers but with a rare chance to have an impact — will splinter their votes.
Robert Roark, 61, a money manager and independent who lives in the Chevy Chase neighborhood, seeks a mayor who will respond to neighborhood issues in the manner of former mayor Adrian M. Fenty (D). He thinks he has found that in Bowser. “The last thing I cared about from the city government was lights at the Little League field,” and Bowser, his council member, helped make that happen, as she did when neighbors were concerned about lighting in their back alleys, Roark says.	Robert Roark, 61, a money manager and independent who lives in the Chevy Chase neighborhood, seeks a mayor who will respond to neighborhood issues in the manner of former mayor Adrian M. Fenty (D). He thinks he has found that in Bowser. “The last thing I cared about from the city government was lights at the Little League field,” and Bowser, his council member, helped make that happen, as she did when neighbors were concerned about lighting in their back alleys, Roark says.
“I don’t get a lot for what I pay in taxes,” he says. “I want my garbage picked up and my roads fixed. I’ve never used the public schools; our kids went to private schools. And I grew up in Louisiana, so I consider this clean government by comparison.”	“I don’t get a lot for what I pay in taxes,” he says. “I want my garbage picked up and my roads fixed. I’ve never used the public schools; our kids went to private schools. And I grew up in Louisiana, so I consider this clean government by comparison.”
Roark figures a non-Democrat can’t win, and he likes Bowser fine, so he’ll vote accordingly.	Roark figures a non-Democrat can’t win, and he likes Bowser fine, so he’ll vote accordingly.
But another independent, Greg Thomas, 65, a retiree who lives in Adams Morgan, is perturbed by Bowser’s low profile: “She won’t even come out of the house. It’s like she’s afraid that if people get to know her, they’ll turn away from her.”	But another independent, Greg Thomas, 65, a retiree who lives in Adams Morgan, is perturbed by Bowser’s low profile: “She won’t even come out of the house. It’s like she’s afraid that if people get to know her, they’ll turn away from her.”
Although he couldn’t vote in April, Thomas was pleased to see Gray ousted. Now he’s eager to cast his ballot for Schwartz, whom he has long admired as honest and energetic.	Although he couldn’t vote in April, Thomas was pleased to see Gray ousted. Now he’s eager to cast his ballot for Schwartz, whom he has long admired as honest and energetic.
The fact that Bowser’s opponents are both former Republicans grates against some voters in affluent, mostly white precincts where Wells, Shallal and council member Jack Evans (Ward 2) fared best in the primary.	The fact that Bowser’s opponents are both former Republicans grates against some voters in affluent, mostly white precincts where Wells, Shallal and council member Jack Evans (Ward 2) fared best in the primary.
Schwartz has become a “perennial candidate,” says Schafer, whose Georgetown neighborhood gave Evans his strongest support. “There’s a point where you need to stop running for mayor.”	Schwartz has become a “perennial candidate,” says Schafer, whose Georgetown neighborhood gave Evans his strongest support. “There’s a point where you need to stop running for mayor.”
She hears good things about Catania, but, she adds, “as a knee-jerk feminist and a Democrat, I don’t really feel a need to vote for him.”	She hears good things about Catania, but, she adds, “as a knee-jerk feminist and a Democrat, I don’t really feel a need to vote for him.”