Why I Like Muriel Bowser

There are 19 candidates running in the Ward 4 special election. But the race has really narrowed down to two candidates, Muriel Bowser and Michael Brown. Both have deep roots in the city and the desire to do what is right. However, in my mind, the choice is clear.







Muriel Bowser understands her ward, and will work tirelessly to ensure that her constituents are properly represented and are receiving the best services possible from the city. She is committed to sound policies addressing education, public safety, city services and a host of other pressing issues. I also believe she will keep her promises. Much like Mayor Fenty has stayed true to his word and started to make the necessary changes to put DC back on the right track, Muriel will do the same; not just for her ward but for the District as a whole.



I have spent a good amount of time with Muriel over the past few weeks. I have been able to see that her passion runs deep for the residents of Ward 4 and the challenges they face. We need selfless leaders to run DC, and she has that quality. To Muriel, this is not about her. This is about doing what's right and using her passion and skills to make DC a city where parents have confidence in the public schools, where people can safely walk the streets at night, and where economic opportunity extends to all our residents.



Muriel will keep her campaign promises and is my choice on May 1st.

Why I Like Yvette Alexander

I was disheartened yesterday to find out that Yvette Alexander did not get the endorsement of the Washington Post. Over the past month or so, she and I have become friends and I have witnessed the sincerity with which she approaches the special election. Perhaps the greatest factor for me--in addition to thorough understanding of issues and leadership experience--when deciding whom to support is how genuine and passionate the candidate is for the great responsibility they are about to undertake. Yvette embodies those qualities and is as committed to bettering the lives of Ward 7 residents as anyone I know.

Ward 7 is a network of neighborhoods in transition. A community east of the river, Ward 7 has often been forgotten by government officials over the years. Poverty, unemployment and crime are epidemics, and residents there deserve better than what they have. But things have been changing, as witnessed by the more than doubling in voter turnout since 2000. As citizens have become more engaged, the future is looking brighter there.

Yvette not only has deep roots in the Ward, but has a genuine understanding of the complex issues facing the residents. Mayor Fenty and Chairman Gray are showing lots of promise to lead this city, and I think they would be lucky to have Yvette Alexander joining them.