Catania cares not for Barry. Photo by AlephNull

Councilmember David Catania (I-At Large) isn’t one to bite his tongue, and his tendency to make no secret of where he stands on things—using good words and bad—has sometimes gotten him into trouble.

After today’s vote elevating Councilmember Phil Mendelson (D-At Large) to council chair, Catania offered both support for Mendelson and harsh criticism for some of his colleagues, saying that they did a “disgraceful disservice” to D.C. voters today.

“At this time of upheaval and crisis for the District, where residents are seeking real unity and stability in their government, the behavior of some of my colleagues today was an embarrassment. The fact that some members made decisions on who to support in today’s vote based on their personal ambitions is a shameful abdication of their oath of office and a disgraceful disservice to the people of the District,” he said in a statement.

Though Catania didn’t name him by name, the reference to “personal ambitions” seems directly aimed at Councilmember Vincent Orange (D-At Large), who briefly sought the chairmanship before shifting his sights to the chairman pro tempore position that Councilmember Michael Brown (I-At Large) eventually won. Orange has also said that he will run in November’s special election.

Catania’s statement is below in its entirety:

“I fully support today’s vote to name my At-Large colleague Acting Chair. Mr. Mendelson is an honorable person and is honest to the core. Though we have disagreed on certain issues through our 14 years of service together, I respect him and the work that he has done.”

“At this time of upheaval and crisis for the District, where residents are seeking real unity and stability in their government, the behavior of some of my colleagues today was an embarrassment. The fact that some members made decisions on who to support in today’s vote based on their personal ambitions is a shameful abdication of their oath of office and a disgraceful disservice to the people of the District.”

“To the citizens of the District, I would like to say that we face many months of acrimony and uncertainty ahead. In the coming weeks, I urge residents to reach out to their elected leaders to remind them why they hold office. People want and deserve to be represented by ethical and diligent individuals who hold their obligations to their constituents and fidelity to their oath above personal ambition or sense of entitlement.”