D.C. Council member Mary Cheh (D-Ward 3) has strongly endorsed Vince Gray for mayor, raising the number of Councilmembers who are supporting the outgoing council chair and primary mayoral opponent to Mayor Adrian Fenty to six.

In an interview with TBD’s Bruce DePuyt this morning, Cheh took a stance on the mayoral contest. “I’m going to support Vince Gray…because I think, having worked with him over last four years, I have become an admirer,” said Cheh. She added, “I have come to the view that he is the mayor that we need now.” Cheh spoke highly of Gray’s ability to forge consensus, saying, “he allows people to have their say, but that doesn’t mean that they tell him what to do.” She also admitted that she has been slow to come to Gray’s side. “I have come skeptically to him…I supported his opponent for council chair,” she said, referring to former Ward 3 Councilmember Kathy Patterson, who lost to Gray in 2006.

Cheh expressed frustration with Fenty, pointing out that he missed an opportunity with the council and the city. “My disappointment [with Fenty] is heightened by a sense of what could have been,” she said. Cheh also harshly criticized Fenty for not working more closely with the council, a complaint echoed repeatedly by Gray on the campaign trail. “Instead of opening the door, the door is shut…we cannot have a system we have now of secrecy, of closed doors, of decisions by one, and pronouncements,” she stated.