Councilmember Muriel Bowser (D-Ward 4)

The City Paper rolled out its endorsements for the April 3 D.C. primary today, and the city’s premiere alt-weekly sided with the same slate of candidates as the Post did in its endorsements last weekend.

Probably the biggest winner is Sekou Biddle, who gains the City Paper’s nod in his tough election fight against Councilmember Vincent Orange (D-At Large) and fellow challenger Peter Shapiro. The endorsement cites what may be Shapiro’s Achilles Heel—he only recently moved back into D.C. from Prince George’s County, where he served as a member of the County Council. “We admire his enthusiasm for his new home, but aren’t sure he’s quite ready for the Wilson Building,” wrote Michael Schaffer and Michael Madden, the paper’s editor in chief and managing editor, respectively. (Biddle also gained the support of the Current Newspapers this week.)

In Ward 4, the City Paper picked Councilmember Muriel Bowser (D-Ward 4) over her five rivals, and in Ward 8 it sided with Jacque Patterson in his battle to unseat Councilmember Marion Barry (D-Ward 8). And though Councilmember Jack Evans (D-Ward 2) is unchallenged in his bid for re-election, the City Paper says that he shouldn’t be excused for his lack of leadership on certain issues.

“Evans has been outspoken in his disdain for the D.C. government’s status quo. But he’s been legislatively absent when it comes to changing a sleazy political culture. We also disagree with some of the places he’s exerting actual effort, like in the dubious plan to build a Redskins practice facility on a tract east of Capitol Hill where an actual neighborhood might otherwise rise. We propose a write-in: Residents should elect the Jack Evans who called this the worst D.C. Council in 20 years. The more conspicuous Evans who cozies up to Dan Snyder and opposes limits on councilmembers’ outside employment should be sent packing,” wrote Schaffer and Madden.

The City Paper will make an endorsement in the Ward 7 race next week. Yesterday Greater Greater Washington joined the chorus of people supporting Tom Brown in his challenge to Councilmember Yvette Alexander (D-Ward 7).