In a brief statement, Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) became the latest public official to chime in on the scandal surrounding Mayor Vince Gray’s 2010 campaign and the ongoing federal investigation into an off-the-books “shadow” operation that was waged on Gray’s behalf.

“Vincent Gray is a friend of longstanding who I have always known to have high professional and ethical standards,” Norton said. “However, the criminal conduct by his campaign aides revealed in court is deeply disturbing and goes to the heart of the democratic process.”

Norton continued that the mayor “has an obligation to clear this matter up quickly.” However, she did not say if a proper remedy to the situation would include Gray resigning or staying in office.

But Norton did say that the information about Gray’s 2010 campaign that has been revealed so far should not take a toll on the District’s outstanding business in Congress. “I have seen no evidence that the investigation has affected District matters pending in Congress, nor should it,” she said.

Yesterday, Michael Brown, one of the District’s shadow senators, said he feared this scandal enveloping the mayor has the potential to derail the District’s efforts to pursue budget autonomy and statehood.