Jim Graham Announces Re-Election Bid

As expected, D.C. Council member Jim Graham (D-Ward 1) today formally announced that he will be seeking re-election in 2010. The announcement was coupled with the launch of his campaign web site.

A quick glance through the web site indicates that Graham's campaign strategy is simple enough -- prove that he's a damn hard worker for Ward 1 residents. Beyond the frontpage picture of Graham standing next to a tall stack of papers, the "Accomplishments" section of his campaign website details every piece of legislation, ribbon cutting or symbolic gesture that the councilman has made over the years. Seriously – brevity isn't the goal here.

Graham also seems intent on dissuading potential challengers by arguing that the ward's political firmament is already lined up behind him. A press release announcing his re-election bid notes, "Support for Graham across Ward One --the most culturally diverse ward in D.C.-- is indicated by the backing of an overwhelming majority of ANC Commissioners including, in a preliminary list, support from 5 of the 8 ANC Commissioners in Adams Morgan. Tenant leaders in the big buildings lining 14th Street and key Ward 1 business leaders including Kamal Ali of Ben's Chili Bowl, Andy Shallal of Busboys and Poets, and Constantine Stavropolous of Tryst/Diner have endorsed Graham."

Graham was first elected to the Council in 1998, and won easily in his most recent re-election, in 2006. And though he faces continued questions over former Chief of Staff Ted Loza's involvement in the taxicab corruption scandal, Graham has so far only attracted one potential challenger -- ANC 1C Chair Bryan Weaver. The D.C. Republicans have also threatened to throw a challenger at Graham.