Photo by Elvert Barnes.

Though she already launched an Independent bid in June, filed more than 6,500 signatures in August, and participated in a mayoral forum, former Republican Councilmember Carol Schwartz officially kicked off her campaign to be the next mayor of D.C. today.

Standing in Freedom Plaza before about 30 people, Schwartz introduced her kids, quoted Bob Ziggy Marley, and told the small but excited crowd of supporters to not be “sold on any either-or business.” She, of course, was referring to fellow mayoral candidates and current Councilmembers Muriel Bowser (D-Ward 4) and David Catania (I-At Large), who have dominated the narrative of the upcoming general election, leaving many to believe it’s a two-horse race.

But Schwartz remains undeterred by reports that some aren’t taking her seriously as a candidate. “If you’re looking for the least beholden to anyone, save for the people of the District of Columbia, look no further,” Schwartz told her supporters, highlighting her commitment to running a clean-money campaign.

During her campaign kickoff speech, Schwartz touched on everything from her commitment to making public and charter schools equal and experience as a D.C. Councilmember, ethics, changing the Washington football team’s name, and, uh, potholes. “There would have been more people here today, but their cars are stuck in all those [pot]holes,” Schwartz joked.

Still, a question lingered during Schwartz’s fifth mayoral campaign kickoff: Why did she decide to run again? “Are you just running to steal votes from Catania?” one supporter asked. “I am. I want to steal votes from David, from Muriel, from everyone, because I want to be the next mayor of D.C.,” she answered.

Yesterday, Loose Lips reported on an internal poll conducted by Catania’s campaign that claims to put him “statistically tied” with Bowser, despite not sharing anymore information about the poll with reporters. Catania also said that Schwartz “is separated from the frontrunners by ‘multiples’ of 3 percent” in the poll.

When one reporter asked about what reports of these polling numbers mean to her, Schwartz shrugged them off saying that they’re unofficial and that by reporting on them, “you’re really playing into that kind of game.”