Grosso

The big endorsements of the local political season came down from 15th and L today, and it’s not looking good for incumbents.

The Washington Post’s editorial board today urged voters to opt against Councilmembers Vincent Orange (D-At Large) and Michael Brown (I-At Large) in the race for two At-Large seats on the D.C. Council and instead side with challengers David Grosso and Leon Swain.

The editorial board argued in the editorial that with the city’s legislature remaining mired in controversy, voters cannot afford to see Brown and Orange take new terms. Neither has been directly accused of doing anything illegal, but both have had their fair share of questionable behavior: Brown has a record of unpaid taxes and other financial missteps, while Orange’s 2011 At-Large campaign remains under investigation by the Office of Campaign Finance.

The Post took another swipe at Orange, saying that his recent fight to be named to the council’s second-in-command post—including his declaring “I’m the best!” repeatedly—make him a bad fit for re-election. (The Post has sided against Orange in the last two contests he has participated in.)

As for Grosso and Swain, a former D.C. Taxicab Commissioner, this is what the editorial board had to say:

Mr. Grosso, a lawyer who worked for former council member Sharon Ambrose (D-Ward 6) and D.C. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D), understands the issues important to the city and knows how government should work. He supports continued school reform, smart economic development and stronger ethics laws, including an end to the insidious policy that allows the council to interfere with contracts. Mr. Grosso’s experience in running the council’s economic development committee for Ms. Ambrose gives him insights into affordable housing and job training. Rather than falling back on increased taxes to solve problems, Mr. Grosso promises scrutiny of the city’s $10 billion budget.

Unlike many who give lip service to integrity, Mr. Swain has lived it. As chairman of the D.C. Taxicab Commission, he responded to an offer of a substantial bribe by going undercover for the FBI, at considerable risk and hardship. He brings a hardworking, common-sense approach to solving problems, as when he brought meters to D.C.’s taxicabs and promoted reforms as a board member of United Medical Center in Southeast. As a lifelong Washingtonian with decades of public service, including patrolling city streets as a police officer, Mr. Swain has an unmatched understanding of issues affecting city residents, including the most vulnerable.

Today Grosso also picked up the nod from the Examiner’s Jonetta Rose Barras; two days ago he was endorsed by Barras’ colleague Harry Jaffe. Grosso has also been endorsed by the Current Newspapers, while GOP challenger Mary Brooks Beatty can claim the InTowner’s support.

With just over two weeks left until Election Day, things aren’t looking up for Brown. Despite having been endorsed by nine unions, he’s got much less money than Grosso and even his colleagues seem reticent to support his re-election.

Early voting starts on Monday in Judiciary Square and the following week at sites across the city.