Martin AustermuhleFour months ago the 2006 mayoral race was pure speculation. Come next week, though, we will finally have a confirmed slate of candidates — and a year’s worth of campaigning ahead of us.
Council-members Adrian Fenty (D-Ward 4) and Vincent Orange (D-Ward 5) have been in the game for the better part of the summer, while former Verizon executive Marie Johns only recently joined the race and Council Chair Linda Cropp and lobbyist Michael Brown are set to announce their own candidacies within the coming weeks (Cropp will officially declare herself a candidate on September 7). Spare a wild-card run for a third term by Mayor Anthony Williams or the addition of other minor candidates (Ralph Nader and Lyndon LaRouche would no doubt add much-needed color to the debates), the lineup seems complete for next September — Fenty vs. Orange vs. Johns vs. Cropp vs. Brown. While worthy of a marquee, NBC 4’s political sensei Tom Sherwood sees all things leading to a Cropp-Fenty showdown.
And just below the mayoral contenders are those seeking Cropp’s seat atop the City Council — currently the Ward 1, 2, and 3 punch of Jim Graham, Jack Evans, and Kathy Patterson.
DCist is going to do its best to follow the hand shakings, baby kissings, and ribbon cuttings that are part and parcel of political campaigns as closely as possible. And while we don’t see this happening, we would love to host a live blog-off between the candidates. One hour, five computers, no moderator — now that would be a real political debate, full of sharp barbs and even sharper emoticons.
