Tim Day, the Ward 5 Republican who uncovered Harry Thomas, Jr.'s corruption, claims that he has been victim of harassment by political foes.
Republican Who Uncovered Harry Thomas, Jr. Theft Claims Harassment During Campaign
Money for Ward 5 Special Election Held Up by Conflict Between Gray and D.C. Council
The D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics is stuck in the unenviable task of conducting two sets of elections in the next two months—the April 3 primary and the May 15 Ward 5 special election. But while the former is fully funded, the latter runs the risk of not happening at all if Mayor Vince Gray and the D.C. Council don't come to an agreement on a larger spending bill.
House to Vote on Norton Bill Allowing More Flexibility in Scheduling of D.C. Elections
A long-awaited bill that would offer the District more flexibility in scheduling its elections heads to a House vote tomorrow, moving the city closer to being able to respond more quickly when seats on the D.C. Council are vacated.
Harry Thomas, Jr. Defaults on Money Owed to D.C.
Disgraced former Ward 5 councilmember Harry Thomas, Jr. stole over $350,000 from the District, and it doesn't look like the city will be getting that back anytime soon.
D.C. a Step Away From More Flexibilty in Scheduling Elections
The District is a step closer to being able to more flexibly schedule it's own elections, but it's still a mighty big step.
Bill Allowing Flexibility in Dates of D.C. Elections Gets Hearing
A bill that would allow the District more flexibility in scheduling its elections may finally move forward in Congress.
The Guy Who Brought Down Harry Thomas, Jr. Wants His Seat
Tim Day, the man responsible for bringing down disgraced Ward 5 councilmember Harry Thomas, Jr., has said that he'll jump into the race to fill Thomas' seat.
Ward 5 Starts Long Process of Replacing Thomas, and Plenty Step Up to Try
There are 18 candidates so far that want to fill the seat once held by Harry Thomas, Jr. Yesterday, residents started hearing from them.
Finally, Harry Thomas, Jr. is Gone
Today the D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics declares the Ward 5 seat once held by Harry Thomas, Jr. vacant, clearing the way for a special election expected to happen on May 15.
Technically, Harry Thomas Hasn't Yet Left Office
Though he pleaded guilty to two federal crimes and gave up his Ward 5 seat on the D.C. Council late last week, Harry Thomas, Jr. hasn't technically left office. That was one of the surprising takeaways from a crowded meeting in Ward 5 last night to discuss a special election to replace Thomas.
Some Ward 5 Breakfast Talk From Gray and Council Leaders
While fêting the opening of The Hamilton, a hulking restaurant and music venue at 14th and F streets NW, Mayor Vince Gray, D.C. Council Chairman Kwame Brown and Councilmember Vincent Orange (D-At Large) answered—briefly, at least—questions about another item on the District's menu.
Norton Wants New Ward 5 Representative Elected on Primary Day
Following the resignation of Harry Thomas Jr. from the D.C. Council, Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton said she'd like to see a special election in Ward 5 happen the same day as the District's primary votes, but that an anonymous senator is holding up her bill that would make it possible.
Thomas Charged With Theft, Filing a False Tax Return
UPDATED: After a day of conjecture and confusion as to Councilmember Harry Thomas, Jr.'s (D-Ward 5) fate yesterday, today federal prosecutors charged him with theft and filing a false tax return.
Thomas' Resignation Will Cost D.C.
It's the ultimate irony -- even if he resigns, Councilmember Harry Thomas, Jr. (D-Ward 5) will keep denying his constituents effective representation and keep costing the District taxpayers money.
Reports Say Thomas Will Resign, Possibly Do Time
In news that's likely to lead the day, WUSA9 reported late last night that embattled Councilmember Harry Thomas, Jr. (D-Ward 5) has told close confidantes and colleagues that he'll resign as part of a plea deal with federal prosecutors over $300,000 in city funds he allegedly used on personal expenses like a luxury SUV and travel.
So This Is What "One City" Looks Like?
Though he campaigned on the theme of "One City," Mayor Vince Gray's election showed a city starkly divided along racial and geographic lines. And though Gray's branded everything that doesn't move with the "One City" slogan since taking office, the results of the April 26 At-Large Special Election seem to show that we're no closer to Gray's dream of citywide unity than we were a year ago.
Closing the Book on the April 26 At-Large Special Election
It's all said and done -- Vincent Orange won the April 26 At-Large Special Election and will be heading back to the D.C. Council. As usual, we've got some closing thoughts on the last D.C. election until, well, eleven months from now.
Special Election Turnout Rolled Back Under Ten Percent
After some initial confusion about precisely how many Washingtonians casted a ballot yesterday, the District's Board of Elections and Ethics has revised its numbers downward, knocking turnout back into the single digits.
Orange Returns to D.C. Council After At-Large Win
Vincent Orange will return to the D.C. Council after a five-year absence after narrowly defeating Republican Patrick Mara for the At-Large seat once occupied by Council Chair Kwame Brown.
Hey Non-Voter, This Is Why You Should Vote
Okay, so we're about a third of the way through the voting day, and there appears to be a good chance that you haven't cast your ballot yet. Reports coming in from around the city indicate the turnout has been light -- so unless everyone is waiting to vote after work (polls are open until 8 p.m.), we're looking at another Special Election with sparse participation. We did our best to summarize the context and candidates of the At-Large election in our Voter Guide yesterday, but it might be worth it to lay out the very good reasons that you should head to a polling place today.
Voter Guide: The April 26 At-Large Special Election
Everything -- and we mean everything -- you need to know about tomorrow's special election to select a permanent at-large D.C. Councilmember.
Endorsements Underscore Uncertain At-Large Race
We've said it before, we'll say it again -- at this point, next Tuesday's At-Large Special Election is totally up for grabs. No one candidate has risen up above the rest, and institutional support and endorsements have splintered in a number of ways.
Josh Lopez Gets In On The YouTube Campaign Ad Game
While Bryan Weaver remains the undisputed champion of the longform YouTube local campaign advertisement -- what with the Cool Disco Dan references, "Dirty Old Town" and all -- the above effort from the Joshua Lopez campaign, if somewhat forced, at least proves that Weaver's not the only candidate unafraid to crack a couple "Fully Loaded" jokes at Council Chair Kwame Brown's expense.
T-Minus One Week Until April 26 Special Election
In just one week, we'll have a new At-Large councilmember -- and we'll finally be done with elections in the District for at least a few months.
DCist's Turn To Grill The At-Large Candidates
We're only one week out from the day the District will select its new at-large Councilmember in a special election -- but that doesn't mean you've run out of time to educate yourself about the candidates in the race. Hardly! And tonight is just as good a time as any; after all, who better to guide you through where the candidates stand on the issues than our own Martin Austermuhle?
At-Large Council Race Remains Unsettled
With early voting having begun this week and the election day less than two weeks away, the contest for the April 26 At-Large Special Election remains fluid and unsettled, with no one candidate yet rising above the rest. The uncertainties in the campaign to fill the seat once occupied by D.C. Council Chair Kwame Brown is a product not only of the candidates, though, but of the ever-shifting political environment in the District.
Myopic Little Dog-Loving, Cafe-Dwelling Snowball Throwers
UPDATE (5:20 p.m.): According to the Washington Post's Mike DeBonis, Biddle has fired Brown due to the comments he made in Fisher's piece. Biddle's statement regarding the decision: “While change can be difficult and at times uncomfortable, these kinds of comments are hurtful. My wife and I choose to raise our children here because of the diversity the city has to offer. Marshall Brown does not speak for me or my campaign and his comments in Marc Fisher’s story do not help move our city forward. While he is a longtime family friend, I found his comments to be counterproductive at a time when I am working so hard to bring people in this city together, and I have asked him to step down from any future involvement in my campaign.”
BOEE Extends In-Person Absentee Voting Hours
As we noted on Tuesday, regardless of whether the government shuts down, the District will continue its preparations for its April 26 city-wide special election. As part of those preparations, the D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics announced today that it will be extend hours for in-person absentee voting until 8 p.m. on Mondays through Saturday, beginning on Monday, April 11.
At-Large Candidates Support Firing Themselves
During a candidate forum yesterday in Chevy Chase, seven of the nine candidates running for the At-Large seat on the D.C. Council announced that they'd be willing to fire themselves after two terms if they were to win the April 26 Special Election.
Special Election Is On, Federal Shutdown Be Damned
Earlier today, we noted that a federal shutdown could affect the District in a number of ways, from which agencies operate to how the 2012 budget deliberations play out. Thankfully, there's one thing that won't change whether or not the feds close up shop: the April 26 Special Election will still go on, as planned.

