From left, Marion C. Barry, Sheila Bunn, and Eugene Kinlow. (Photo by Rachel Sadon)

The lineup for the Washington City Paper’s Ward 8 debate at Uniontown last night was confirmed: Marion C. Barry, Sheila Bunn, Eugene Kinlow, Trayon White, and Natalie Williams.

But the night began with only Barry, Bunn, and Kinlow, with White and Williams nowhere to be found. Williams eventually showed up about halfway through, while a fifth, uninvited candidate, Keita Vanterpool, debate-crashed in time to answer the very last question.

The crowd, too, went from relatively listless to energized (and heckling) as the night went on and the candidate count went up.

As with the Ward 4 debate, the target was on Mayor Muriel Bowser’s pick, LaRuby May.

When given the chance to ask other candidates questions, both Kinlow and Bunn directed them at May, though she wasn’t in attendance. Kinlow asked if she would be beholden to the businesses and developers, particularly from outside the ward, who have donated to her campaign, while Bunn, who served as deputy chief of staff for former Mayor Vincent Gray, asked is May would be beholden to the mayor herself.

Bunn also alleged that Bowser has overreached in the race, saying that potential donors told her that they were strong armed by the mayor. “Donors have said ‘the mayor has asked me to support her candidate, or else,” Bunn claimed. Barry said he had similar interactions with donors.

“That is completely false. Those are allegations and nothing more,” said Bowser spokeswoman LaToya Foster. Foster could not confirm if the mayor has made calls to donors on May’s behalf or not, but said that “strong arming someone is not her style.”

Meanwhile, Williams claimed that the race is much closer than many seem to think it will be, alleging that she is within three points of May.

By the end of then night, the roster also included, from right, Keita Vanterpool and Natalie Williams.