1998 Council of the District of Columbia election

U.S. election June 2026 1998 Council of the District of Columbia election District of Columbia legislative no 1996 Council of the District of Columbia election 1996 2000 Council of the District of Columbia election 2000 7 seats on the Council of the District of Columbia 7 November 3, 1998 Linda Cropp (cropped).jpg Linda Cropp District of Columbia Democratic State Committee 10 11 1 Carol Schwartz 2005 Pride Parade.png Carol Schwartz District of Columbia Republican Party 2 2 Hilda Mason.jpg Hilda Mason D.C. Statehood Party 1 0 1 The 1998 Council of the District of Columbia election was held on November 3, with primaries taking place on September 15. Hilda Mason, the lone member of the D.C. Statehood Party on the council, lost re-election to her at-large seat after 21 years on the Council, marking the last time a member of the D.C. Statehood party or its successor Statehood Green party would have representation on the Council. In contrast, Republican David Catania held on to the seat he had won in the 1997 special election. The two at-large seats held by the District of Columbia Republican Party would begin an era of the high-water mark of Republicans in local District politics, achieving their maximum influence and electoral success. Frank Smith and Harry Thomas Sr., councilmembers from Wards 1 and 6 respectively, both lost their primary elections to challengers. All other incumbents were re-elected, with Democrats increasing their control over the Council to 11 of the 13 total seats. Summary Democrats remained the largest party on the council, with no seats being lost to other parties or independents. The D.C. Statehood party lost their only elected member, Hilda Mason, while Republicans secured their two seats. At-large PositionIncumbentCandidatesMemberPartyFirstelectedStatusChairpersonLinda Cropp 1997 (special)Incumbent re-elected.Democratic Party (US) Linda Cropp 91.2% D.C. Statehood Party Joseph Romanow 7.6%At-largeDavid Catania 1997 (special)Incumbent re-elected.Democratic Party (US) Phil Mendelson 37.3% Republican Party (US) David Catania 20.9% D.C. Statehood Party Hilda Mason 14.9% Independent Beverly J. Wilbourn 11.9%% Independent Malik Z. Shabazz 8.1% Umoja Party Mark Thompson 5.1% Independent Sandra Seegars 1.4%Hilda Mason1977 (special)Incumbent lost re-election.New councilmember elected.Democratic gain. Wards PositionIncumbentCandidatesMemberPartyFirst electedStatusWard 1Frank Smith 1982Incumbent lost re-election.New councilmember elected.Democratic hold.Democratic Party (US) Jim Graham 72.4% Umoja Party Nik Eames 12.7% Green Party (US) Scott McLarty 8.3% Republican Party (US) Mark Leventhal 5.7%Ward 3Kathleen Patterson 1994Incumbent re-elected.Democratic Party (US) Kathleen Patterson 98.0%Ward 5Harry Thomas Sr. 1986Incumbent lost re-election.New councilmember elected.Democratic hold.Democratic Party (US) Vincent Orange 89.1% Republican Party (US) Ian Alexander 9.9%Ward 6Sharon Ambrose 1997 (special)Incumbent re-elected.Democratic Party (US) Sharon Ambrose 91.7% Independent Richard de Beauvoir 7.3% Chairperson 1998 Council of the District of Columbia Chairperson election Flag of the District of Columbia.svg presidential 1997 Council of the District of Columbia special election 1997 (special) 2002 Council of the District of Columbia election#Chairperson 2002 November 3, 1998 Linda Cropp (cropped).jpg Linda Cropp District of Columbia Democratic State Committee 117,938 91.15% D.C. Statehood Party 3x4.svg Joseph Romanow 9,784 7.56% Chairperson Linda Cropp Democratic Linda Cropp Democratic Incumbent chairwoman Linda Cropp was first elected in the 1997 special election, and easily won re-election against challenger Joseph Romanow. Democratic primary Candidates Linda Cropp, incumbent Chairwoman Endorsements Linda Cropp Labor unions Washington Teachers' UnionWilliams Vanessa TEACHERS UNION ENDORSES WILLIAMS https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1998/07/10/teachers-union-endorses-williams/85f187f3-3716-4056-b400-42e4367399aa/ 23 July 2026 The Washington Post Publications The Washington PostEditorial Board TUESDAY'S CHOICES https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/opinions/1998/09/14/tuesdays-choices/42e5f0b3-7e9d-4af7-a3be-bd868170d70c/ 23 July 2026 The Washington Post 14 September 1998 1998 Council of the District of Columbia Chairperson Democratic primarySeptember 15 1998 Primary Election https://dcboe.org/elections/election-results-archives/september-15-primary-election 25 September 1998 DC Board of Elections 23 July 2026 District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Linda Cropp (inc.) 71,333 97.92% Write-in 1,513 2.08% 72,846 100% Statehood primary Candidates Joseph Romanow 1998 Council of the District of Columbia Chairperson D.C. Statehood primary D.C. Statehood Party Joseph Romanow 271 79.24% Write-in 71 20.76% 342 100% General election 1998 Council of the District of Columbia Chairperson electionNovember 3 1998 General Election https://dcboe.org/elections/election-results-archives/november-13-general-election 13 November 1998 DC Board of Elections 23 July 2026 District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Linda Cropp (inc.) 117,938 91.15% D.C. Statehood Party Joseph Romanow 9,784 7.56% 1,673 1.29% 129,395 100% At-large 1998 Council of the District of Columbia At-large election Flag of the District of Columbia.svg presidential 1997 Council of the District of Columbia special election 1997 (special) 2002 Council of the District of Columbia election#At-large 2002 November 3, 1998 File:Phil Mendelson - DC Capital Pride - 2014 (cropped).jpg Phil Mendelson District of Columbia Democratic State Committee 71,799 37.33% District of Columbia Republican Party Davidcatania.jpg David Catania 40,200 20.90% D.C. Statehood Party Hilda Mason.jpg Hilda Mason 28,615 14.88% Independent 3x4.svg Beverly J. Wilbourn 22,946 11.93% Independent 3x4.svg Malik Z. Shabazz 15,644 8.13% Umoja Party 3x4.svg Mark Thompson 9,733 5.06% Councilmembers David Catania (Rep.)Hilda Mason (D.C. Statehood) David Catania (Rep.)Phil Mendelson (Dem.) Following 21 years of service on the Council, questions about her health and a general desire for change following years of scandals and general malaise in the city led to Hilda Mason finally losing after a bid for a 6th full term.Montgomery David MENDELSON, CATANIA WIN, VETERAN COUNCIL MEMBER HILDA MASON IS OUSTED https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1998/11/04/mendelson-catania-win/06a070fd-7475-4a94-a664-24dcb1386b80/ 23 July 2026 The Washington Post 3 November 1998 Democrat Phil Mendelson won her seat after an extremely contested primary in which he won a mere 17% plurality. Republican David Catania won re-election to his first full term in the other seat, which he had initially won a year earlier in the 1997 special election to replace Linda Cropp. Democratic primary Candidates William H. Bennett II, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Deanwood Charles Gaither, city employee Phil Mendelson, former Council staffer Linda Moody, Ward 8 member of the District of Columbia State Board of Education Phyllis J. Outlaw, lawyer Kathryn A. Pearson-West, activist and Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner Don Reeves, president of the District of Columbia State Board of Education Greg Rhett, community organizer Bill Rice, reporter for the Northwest Current Sabrina Sojourner, chairwoman of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Endorsements Phil Mendelson Publications The Washington Post Linda Moody Publications The Washington Post Greg Rhett Organizations Greater Washington Board of TradePowell Michael Harris Hamil R. Cottman Michael MAYORAL CANDIDATES TAKE THEIR AMBITIONS TO CHURCH https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1998/09/10/mayoral-candidates-take-their-ambitions-to-church/1093ab3b-d6ad-4ca7-a3cd-492264e03407/ 23 July 2026 The Washington Post 9 September 1998 Publications The Washington Post Bill Rice Publications The Washington Post Sabrina Sojourner Organizations DC Association of Realtors Gertrude Stein Democratic Club 1998 Council of the District of Columbia At-large Democratic primary District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Phil Mendelson 14,089 17.13% District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Linda Moody 11,532 14.02% District of Columbia Democratic State Committee William H. Bennett II 11,336 13.78% District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Bill Rice 11,087 13.48% District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Phyllis J. Outlaw 10,769 13.09% District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Sabrina Sojourner 9,725 11.83% District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Don Reeves 4,130 5.02% District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Charles Gaither 3,721 4.52% District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Greg Rhett 2,646 3.22% District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Kathryn A. Pearson-West 2,485 3.02% Write-in 718 0.87% 82,238 100% Republican primary Candidates David Catania, incumbent At-large Councilmember 1998 Council of the District of Columbia At-large Republican primary District of Columbia Republican Party David Catania (inc.) 2,256 92.61% 180 7.39% 2,436 100% Statehood primary Candidates Hilda Mason, incumbent At-large Councilmember 1998 Council of the District of Columbia At-large D.C. Statehood primary D.C. Statehood Party Hilda Mason (inc.) 284 77.17% 84 22.83% 368 100% Umoja primary Candidates Mark Thompson 1998 Council of the District of Columbia At-large Umoja primary Umoja Party Mark Thompson 180 92.31% 15 7.69% 195 100% Independents Candidates Sandra Seegars Malik Z. Shabazz Beverly J. Wilbourn Endorsements Beverly J. Wilbourn Local officials Charlene Drew Jarvis, incumbent Ward 4 Councilmember (since 1979)Williams Vanessa CANDIDATES IN DISTRICT SPEND DAY STUMPING https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1998/11/02/candidates-in-district-spend-day-stumping/76ff494c-0cc2-4325-9318-178a178d965e/ 23 July 2026 The Washington Post 2 November 1998 Harry Thomas Sr., incumbent Ward 5 Councilmember (since 1987) Individuals Cora Masters Barry, wife of imprisoned former mayor Marion Barry General election 1998 Council of the District of Columbia At-large election District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Phil Mendelson 71,799 37.33% District of Columbia Republican Party David Catania (inc.) 40,200 20.90% D.C. Statehood Party Hilda Mason (inc.) 28,615 14.88% Independent Beverly J. Wilbourn 22.946 11.93% Independent Malik Z. Shabazz 15,644 8.13% Umoja Party Mark Thompson 9,733 5.06% Independent Sandra Seegars 2,764 1.44% 648 0.34% 192,349 100% Ward 1 1998 Council of the District of Columbia Ward 1 election Flag of the District of Columbia.svg presidential 1994 Council of the District of Columbia election#Ward 1 1994 2002 Council of the District of Columbia election#Ward 1 2002 November 3, 1998 Jimgraham2.jpg Jim Graham District of Columbia Democratic State Committee 10,953 72.38% Umoja Party 3x4.svg Nik Eames 1,927 12.73% Green Party (United States) 3x4.svg Scott McLarty 1,260 8.33% District of Columbia Republican Party 3x4.svg Mark Leventhal 868 5.74% Councilmember Frank Smith Democratic Jim Graham Democratic 16-year incumbent Frank Smith lost his primary to challenger Jim Graham, who won handily in the general election. Graham was the second gay person to be elected to the Council in as many years, following David Catania in 1997.Montgomery David THOMAS, SMITH OUT MENDELSON WINS AT-LARGE COUNCIL PRIMARY https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1998/09/16/the-district/dfdd9db1-9ad6-44d0-a5ce-c084cc4ea8fc/ 23 July 2026 The Washington Post 15 September 1998 Democratic primary Candidates Jim Graham, Whitman-Walker Health executive director Baruti Jahi, community activist Lenwood Orlando Johnson, former Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner Todd Mosley, youth activist Frank Smith, incumbent Ward 1 Councilmember Endorsements Jim Graham Publications The Washington Post Frank Smith Labor unions Washington Teachers' Union 1998 Council of the District of Columbia Ward 1 Democratic primary District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Jim Graham 4,894 48.53% District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Frank Smith (inc.) 3,219 31.92% District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Todd Mosley 1,458 14.46% District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Lenwood Orlando Johnson 232 2.30% District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Baruti Jahi 224 2.22% Write-in 58 0.58% 10,085 100% Green party DC regulations require that in order for a party to have a primary ballot process for an election, a candidate running under the party banner must win at least 7,500 votes in an election to a major federal or city office in the previous election. In 1998 the DC branch of the Green Party of the United States did not meet these qualifications, so they did not have primary ballot access and as such had to register in a manner similar to an independent. Candidates Scott McLarty, environmental activist Republican primary No candidates filed for the primary, with Mark Leventhal winning the nomination through write-in votes. 1998 Council of the District of Columbia Ward 1 Republican primary 59 100% 59 100% Umoja primary Candidates Nik Eames, engineering student at Howard University and Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner 1998 Council of the District of Columbia Ward 1 Umoja primary Umoja Party Nik Eames 16 88.89% 2 11.11% 18 100% General election 1998 Council of the District of Columbia Ward 1 election District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Jim Graham 10,953 72.38% Umoja Party Nik Eames 1,927 12.73% Green Party (United States) Scott McLarty 1,260 8.33% District of Columbia Republican Party Mark Leventhal 868 5.74% 125 0.83% 15,133 100% Ward 3 1998 Council of the District of Columbia Ward 3 election Flag of the District of Columbia.svg presidential 1994 Council of the District of Columbia election#Ward 3 1994 2002 Council of the District of Columbia election#Ward 3 2002 November 3, 1998 3x4.svg Kathleen Patterson District of Columbia Democratic State Committee 18,646 98.00% Councilmember Kathleen Patterson Democratic Kathleen Patterson Democratic Incumbent councilmember Kathleen Patterson won re-election to a second term, easily beating primary challenger Jim Montgomery and winning an uncontested general election. Democratic primary Candidates Jim Montgomery, lawyer Kathleen Patterson, incumbent Ward 3 Councilmember Endorsements Kathleen Patterson Labor unions AFL-CIO Metropolitan Washington CouncilPowell Michael CHAVOUS WINS UNION BACKING IN MAYOR'S RACE https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1998/06/30/chavous-wins-union-backing-in-mayors-race/a69055f9-0dfd-4e47-bd80-d0bc95385098/ 23 July 2026 The Washington Post 30 June 1998 Publications The Washington Post 1998 Council of the District of Columbia Ward 3 Democratic primary District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Kathleen Patterson (inc.) 12,065 60.09% District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Jim Montgomery 1,093 8.28% Write-in 39 0.30% 13,197 100% General election 1998 Council of the District of Columbia Ward 3 election District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Kathleen Patterson (inc.) 18,646 98.00% 380 2.00% 19,026 100% Ward 5 1998 Council of the District of Columbia Ward 5 election Flag of the District of Columbia.svg presidential 1994 Council of the District of Columbia election#Ward 5 1994 2002 Council of the District of Columbia election#Ward 5 2002 November 3, 1998 Vincent Orange at GWU mayoral panel (cropped).jpg Vincent Orange District of Columbia Democratic State Committee 14,394 89.05% District of Columbia Republican Party 3x4.svg Ian Alexander 1,599 9.89% Councilmember Harry Thomas Sr. Democratic Vincent Orange Democratic Incumbent Councilmember Harry Thomas Sr. lost re-election to challenger Vincent Orange in the primary, who cruised to victory against Republican candidate Ian Alexander in the general election. Orange had run against and lost to Thomas in the 1994 Council of the District of Columbia election. Democratic primary Candidates William Boston, education activist Pat Mitchell, community activist Vincent Orange, lawyer and community activist Harry Thomas Sr., incumbent Ward 5 Councilmember Virgil Thompson, former Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner Endorsements Vincent Orange Publications The Washington Post Harry Thomas Sr. Labor unions AFL-CIO Metropolitan Washington Council Washington Teachers' Union 1998 Council of the District of Columbia Ward 5 Democratic primary District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Vincent Orange 4,605 37.42% District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Harry Thomas Sr. (inc.) 4,246 34.51% District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Pat Mitchell 2,669 21.69% District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Virgil Thompson 447 3.63% District of Columbia Democratic State Committee William Boston 294 2.39% Write-in 44 0.36% 12,305 100% Republican party Candidates Ian Alexander, Catholic University of America student Edward Henry Wolterbeek, real estate broker 1998 Council of the District of Columbia Ward 5 Republican primary District of Columbia Republican Party Ian Alexander 142 67.62% District of Columbia Republican Party Edward Henry Wolterbeek 43 20.48% 25 11.90% 210 100% General election 1998 Council of the District of Columbia Ward 5 election District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Vincent Orange 14,394 89.05% District of Columbia Republican Party Ian Alexander 1,599 9.89% 171 1.06% 16,164 100% Ward 6 1998 Council of the District of Columbia Ward 6 special election Flag of the District of Columbia.svg presidential 1997 Council of the District of Columbia special election 1997 (sp.) 2002 Council of the District of Columbia election#Ward 6 1998 November 3, 1998 3x4.svg Sharon Ambrose District of Columbia Democratic State Committee 13,906 91.72% Independent 3x4.svg Richard de Beauvoir 1,106 7.30% Councilmember Sharon Ambrose Democratic Sharon Ambrose Democratic After winning a plurality in the 1997 special election, incumbent Councilmember Sharon Ambrose easily won a rematch against main primary challenger George Augustus Stallings Jr. and cleaned up in the general election against independent Richard de Beauvoir. Democratic primary Sharon Ambrose, incumbent Ward 6 Councilmember Benjamin Bonham, Ward 6 member of the District of Columbia State Board of Education George Augustus Stallings Jr., founder of the African-American Catholic Congregation Endorsements Sharon Ambrose Labor unions AFL-CIO Metropolitan Washington Council Publications The Washington Post 1998 Council of the District of Columbia Ward 6 Democratic primary District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Sharon Ambrose (inc.) 6,406 55.57% District of Columbia Democratic State Committee George Augustus Stallings Jr. 3,219 27.93% District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Benjamin Bonham 1,807 15.68% Write-in 95 0.82% 11,527 100% Independents Candidates Richard de Beauvoir, communications consultant General election 1998 Council of the District of Columbia Ward 6 election District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Sharon Ambrose (inc.) 13,906 91.72% Independent Richard de Beauvoir 1,106 7.30% 149 0.98% 15,161 100% References Category:1998 United States local elections Category:1998 elections in Washington, D.C. Category:Council of the District of Columbia elections