In non-Sandy news today, the Washington Post’s editorial board issued its final endorsements for the local races being contested on November 6.

On top of an earlier endorsement of David Grosso and Leon Swain for the two At-Large seats on the D.C. Council that are up for grabs, the Post sided with Phil Mendelson for D.C. Council chair and the uncontested Jack Evans (D-Ward 2) and Muriel Bowser (D-Ward 4) in their respective re-election bids. In Ward 7, the newspaper opted for challenger Ron Moten in his attempt to unseat Councilmember Yvette Alexander (D-Ward 7):

In Ward 7, the better choice is Ron Moten, the former Peaceoholics head who is running as a Republican in a spirited challenge of Democratic incumbent Yvette M. Alexander. Ms. Alexander’s tenure on the council, since 2007, is best described as listless. While Mr. Moten, as he freely admits, is “not the perfect candidate,” he offers refreshing energy, community insights and an appealing independence.

Late last year Moten announced in dramatic fashion that he would run against Alexander as a “Civil Rights Republican,” and has since compared comments she made to those made by Mitt Romney over the 47 percent and recorded a diss track against her. Moten still faces an uphill climb to defeat Alexander—there are fewer than 1,500 Republicans in Ward 7, and the ward remains one of the most heavily Democratic in the city.

In the Ward 8 race between Councilmember Marion Barry (D-Ward 8) and challenger Jauhar Abraham, the Post’s editorial board was so underwhelmed that it just passed on both.