After eight mayoral candidates made their case to the Democrats of Ward 4 last night, Councilmember Muriel Bowser won her turf’s straw poll. But not by a large enough margin to receive their endorsement.

Bowser received 322 of the 652 votes cast, followed by Mayor Vince Gray with 223 and Andy Shallal with 33. A candidate needs 60 percent of the vote to receive the endorsement, while Bowser had 49 percent.

Topics from homelessness to development were discussed at the debate, moderated by WUSA9’s Bruce Johnson and attended by all major candidates plus musician Carlos Allen (who arrived in his own bus). When asked how they would bring development to Ward 4, Councilmember Jack Evans cited the boom along 14th Street NW. Bowser fired back, saying that’s exactly what they don’t want. “If you can’t pay $5,000 a month, you can’t live on 14th Street,” she said to applause.

Gray’s most passionate moment came on a question about the growing homelessness crisis in the city. While Bowser and Councilmember Tommy Wells said the city needs to focus more on a housing first model and permanent supportive housing, Gray turned to the Councilmembers and accused them of not supporting his proposed reforms. “What I need, ladies and gentlemen, what I need is the legislation that we put in front of the council last year,” Gray said, pointing a finger at the candidates.

A question about D.C.’s recent $321 million budget surplus found Gray and Evans explaining that the money is not available to be spent and will help raise the city’s bond rating. “We have a surplus,” Bowser said turning it around by listing problems in the city like homeless families sleeping in recreation centers.

Wells agreed: “It’s not just about the bond rating on Wall Street. It’s about the human rating on Main Street.”