Canty

Canty

While sifting through the latest reports from the District’s Office of Campaign Finance, the Post’s Mike DeBonis found that Sekou Biddle, who is running for the at-large D.C. Council seat currently held by Vincent Orange, appears to have locked up the post-hardcore vote—former Fugazi drummer Brendan Canty donated to his campaign.

And indeed, Canty gave Biddle $250 in the campaign finance report filed March 25. Canty’s political activity—his last listed donation was $100 to Phil Mendelson’s 2002 campaign—got us thinking: In this election cycle, where do the veterans of the D.C. punk scene stand?

Well, after searching plenty of names associated with Dischord Records, including the lineups of Minor Threat, the Teen Idles, Dag Nasty and Government Issue, it looks like Canty is the only one of that era who’s donated to local candidates this year.

But! Biddle appears to be the consensus favorite among Fugazi members. Last year, in a special election for the same seat, Fugazi singer and guitarist Ian MacKaye gave Biddle $50, according to OCF reports. No records were found for bassist Joe Lally (who lives in Italy) or guitarist Guy Picciotto.

Biddle writes in an email that he is glad to have the backing of half of Fugazi. “The fact that we’re talking about Fugazi supporting me a day after I was endorsed by Patrick Mara and David Catania is a testament to the broad support for my campaign,” he says.

Correction: This post originally contained a photo of another drummer behind Brendan Canty’s drum kit. A photo of Canty has been added.

With the spotlight on campaign finance in the District as bright as ever, it only makes sense to end this post with “Full Disclosure”:

Filed Under: brendan canty, campaign finance, fugazi, sekou biddle,