2012 Council of the District of Columbia election

US Election 2012 Council of the District of Columbia election District of Columbia Legislative Popular No 2010 Council of the District of Columbia election 2010 2014 Council of the District of Columbia election 2014 7 seats on the Council of the District of Columbia 7 November 6, 2012 150x150px File:Phil_Mendelson.jpg Phil Mendelson Democratic Party (United States) 11 11 File:3x4.svg Independent 2 2 Chair of the Council Phil Mendelson(interim) District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Phil Mendelson District of Columbia Democratic State Committee The 2012 Council of the District of Columbia election was held on November 6, 2012, with primaries held on April 3. Elections were held in four of the eight wards, two at-large seats (one open to any party and one open to non-majority parties) as well as a special election for the Chair of the Council of the District of Columbia. Prior to the election, 11 seats were held by Democrats and 2 seats were held by Independents. The general election saw no party flip any seats, thereby meaning that Democrats retained their majority on the council. Background The council is composed of thirteen members, each elected by district residents to a four-year term. One member is elected from each of the district's eight wards. Four at-large members represent the district as a whole. The chairman of the council is likewise elected at an at-large basis. The terms of the at-large members are staggered so that two are elected every two years, and each D.C. resident may vote for two different at-large candidates in each general election. According to the Home Rule Act, of the chair and the at-large members, a maximum of three may be affiliated with the majority political party. In the council's electoral history, of the elected members who were not affiliated with the majority party, most were elected as at-large members. In 2008 and 2012, Democrats such as David Grosso, Elissa Silverman, and Michael A. Brown changed their party affiliation to Independent when running for council. To become a candidate for council an individual must be resident of the District of Columbia for at least one year prior to the general election, a registered voter, and hold no other public office for which compensation beyond expenses is received. Candidates running for a ward position must be a resident of that ward. Summary Democrats remained the largest party on the council. At-large councilmember Phil Mendelson was appointed by the rest of the council to serve as interim chairman following the resignation of incumbent chairman Kwame R. Brown due to a federal indictment.Ford Sam Kwame Brown resigns, charged with bank fraud, campaign violations https://wjla.com/news/local/kwame-brown-fraud-charges-possible-report-says-76700 ABC 7 News WJLA-TV 6 July 2026 6 June 2012 All ward-level councilmembers won re-election, facing little opposition in the general election. At-large PositionIncumbentCandidatesMemberPartyFirstelectedStatusAt-largeVincent Orange 2011 (special)Incumbent re-elected.Democratic Party (US) Vincent Orange 38.4% Independent David Grosso 20.2% Independent Michael A. Brown 15.0% Republican Party (US) Mary Brooks Beatty 7.2% Independent A. J. Cooper 6.5% Independent Leon J. Swain Jr. 6.4% D.C. Statehood Green Party Ann C. Wilcox 5.9%Michael A. Brown2008Incumbent lost re-election.New member elected. Wards PositionIncumbentCandidatesMemberPartyFirst electedStatusWard 2Jack Evans 1991 (special) Incumbent re-electedDemocratic Party (US) Jack Evans 96.9%Ward 4Muriel Bowser 2006 Incumbent re-electedDemocratic Party (US) Muriel Bowser 97.3%Ward 7Yvette Alexander 2007 (special) Incumbent re-electedDemocratic Party (US) Yvette Alexander 87.0% Republican Party (US) Ron Moten 12.2%Ward 8Marion Barry 2004 (special) Incumbent re-electedDemocratic Party (US) Marion Barry 88.0% Independent Jauhar Abraham 11.6% Chairperson Interim Chairperson Phil Mendelson won the special election for chairperson, facing only one opponent. 2012 District of Columbia Chairperson of the Council special election Flag of the District of Columbia.svg presidential no 2010 Council of the District of Columbia election#Chairperson 2010 2014 Council of the District of Columbia election#Chairperson 2014 November 6, 2012 District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Phil Mendelson.jpg Phil Mendelson 174,742 70.72% District of Columbia Democratic State Committee 3x4.svg Calvin H. Gurley 69,342 28.06% Chairperson Phil Mendelson(interim) District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Phil Mendelson District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Candidates Calvin H. Gurley (Democrat) Phil Mendelson (Democrat), interim chairperson from Eastern Market Endorsements Phil Mendelson Labor unions Maryland American Federation of TeachersAFT-Maryland Endorsements https://md.aft.org/news/aft-maryland-endorsements AFT-Maryland 6 July 2026 Organizations Greater Greater WashingtonEndorsements for DC citywide races and ballot questions https://ggwash.org/view/29269/endorsements-for-dc-citywide-races-and-ballot-questions Greater Greater Washington 6 July 2026 26 October 2012 National Nurses UnitedNational Nurses: Message from Working People to Wall Street- America is Not for Sale https://www.nationalnursesunited.org/press/national-nurses-message-working-people-wall-street-america-not-sale National Nurses United 7 July 2026 7 November 2012 Sierra ClubElections http://dc.sierraclub.org/content/elections Sierra Club Washington DC Chapter 6 July 2026 https://web.archive.org/web/20161103150445/http://dc.sierraclub.org/content/elections 3 November 2016 dead Publications The Washington PostEditorial Board D.C. Council endorsements https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/dc-council-endorsements/2012/10/28/6f7f89a2-1ef1-11e2-9cd5-b55c38388962_story.html 6 July 2026 The Washington Post 28 October 2012 General election 2012 Council of the District of Columbia Chairperson special electionGeneral Election 2012 - Certified Results https://electionresults.dcboe.org/election_results/2012-General-Election DCBOE District of Columbia Board of Elections 6 July 2026 14 April 2014 District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Phil Mendelson (inc.) 174,742 70.72% District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Calvin H. Gurley 69,342 28.06% 3,017 1.22% 247,101 100% At-large 2012 Council of the District of Columbia At-large election Flag of the District of Columbia.svg presidential 2008 Council of the District of Columbia election#At-large 2008 2016 Council of the District of Columbia election#At-large 2016 November 6, 2012 File:Anita-Bonds-Official-Portrait-Shot-002 (cropped).jpg Vincent Orange District of Columbia Democratic State Committee 148,595 38.38% Independent David Grosso MadisonDC Video.png David Grosso 78,123 20.18% Independent Michael A Brown at DC Candidates Forum 13 Mar 13 (cropped).jpg Michael A. Brown 57,762 14.92% District of Columbia Republican Party 3x4.svg Mary Brooks Beatty 27,847 7.19% Independent 3x4.svg A. J. Cooper 25,012 6.46% Independent 3x4.svg Leon J. Swain, Jr. 24,588 6.35% Councilmembers Vincent Orange (Dem.)Michael A. Brown (Ind.) Vincent Orange (Dem.)David Grosso (Ind.) Incumbent Democrat Vincent Orange won re-election to his first full term after his victory in the 2011 special election. Independent incumbent Michael A. Brown lost his seat to David Grosso following a string of corruption scandals. Democratic primary Candidates Sekou Biddle, former At-large councilmember E. Gail Anderson Holness, ANC member Vincent Orange, incumbent At-large Councilmember Peter Shapiro, former Prince George's County Council member Endorsements Sekou Biddle Local officials David Catania, incumbent independent At-large CouncilmemberCraig Tim David Catania backs Sekou Biddle in Council Democratic primary https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/dc-wire/post/david-catania-backs-sekou-biddle-in-council-democratic-primary/2012/03/26/gIQABP5RcS_blog.html 7 July 2026 The Washington Post 26 March 2012 Patrick Mara, former Republican candidate for At-large seat and Ward 1 member of the District of Columbia State Board of EducationCraig Tim Mara endorses former rival Biddle over Orange in D.C. council race https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/dc-wire/post/mara-endorses-former-rival-biddle-over-orange-in-dc-council-race/2012/03/26/gIQAIW9KcS_blog.html 7 July 2026 The Washington Post 26 March 2012 Tommy Wells, incumbent Ward 6 Councilmember Organizations Sierra Club (Democratic primary) Publications Washington City Paper (Democratic primary)Austermuhle Martin City Paper Doubles Down on Post Endorsements https://dcist.com/story/12/03/22/city-paper-doubles-down-on-post-end/ 7 July 2026 DCist 22 March 2012 The Washington Post (Democratic primary)Editorial Board Our choices for D.C. Council https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/our-choices-for-dc-council/2012/03/09/gIQAWr4FJS_story.html 6 July 2026 The Washington Post 17 March 2012 Peter Shapiro Organizations Greater Greater WashingtonFor DC Council at-large: Peter Shapiro https://ggwash.org/view/12608/for-dc-council-at-large-peter-shapiro Greater Greater Washington 7 July 2026 26 March 2012 Vincent Orange Labor unions AFSCME Local 20The Politics Hour https://thekojonnamdishow.org/shows/2012-10-26/politics-hour/ The Kojo Nnamdi Show WAMU 7 July 2026 AFL-CIO Metropolitan Washington Council LiUNA Local 657 Maryland American Federation of Teachers SEIU Local 722 Washington Teachers Union Organizations District of Columbia Chamber of Commerce National Nurses United Publications Washington Examiner Debates + Debates and forums for At-large Democratic primary candidates Date Place Host Participantsblack #99ff99  P  Participant. black #ccffcc  I  Invitee. black #ffffdd  A  Absent. black #ff9999  N  Confirmed non-invitee. grey #ececec  O  Out of race (exploring, suspended, or not yet entered) Biddle Holness Orange Shapiro23 February 2012St. Columba’s Episcopal ChurchWard 3 DemocratsPPPP 2012 Council of the District of Columbia At-large Democratic primaryPrimary Election 2012 - Certified Results https://electionresults.dcboe.org/election_results/2012-Primary-Election DCBOE District of Columbia Board of Elections 6 July 2026 14 April 2014 District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Vincent Orange (inc.) 43,586 53.25% District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Nate Bennett-Fleming 18,232 22.27% District of Columbia Democratic State Committee John F. Settles II 10,775 13.16% District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Pedro Rubio 6,082 7.43% District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Kevin Valentine Jr. 2,560 3.13% Write-in 624 1.42% 81,859 100% Republican primary Candidates Mary Brooks Beatty 2012 Council of the District of Columbia At-large Republican primary District of Columbia Republican Party Mary Brooks Beatty 4,282 96.27% Write-in 166 3.73% 4,448 100% Statehood Green primary Candidates G. Lee Aikin Ann C. Wilcox Endorsements Ann C. Wilcox Organizations Sierra Club 2012 Council of the District of Columbia At-large Statehood Green primary D.C. Statehood Green Party Ann C. Wilcox 223 63.35% D.C. Statehood Green Party G. Lee Aikin 85 24.15% Write-in 44 12.50% 352 100% Independents Candidates Michael A. Brown A. J. Cooper David Grosso Leon J. Swain Jr. Endorsements Michael A. Brown Labor unions Maryland American Federation of Teachers David Grosso Local officials Tommy WellsDeBonis Mike A Grosso win, or a Brown loss? https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-politics/a-grosso-win-or-a-brown-loss/2012/11/07/7b0eccda-2908-11e2-96b6-8e6a7524553f_story.html 6 July 2026 The Washington Post 7 November 2012 Organizations Greater Greater Washington Sierra Club Publications The Washington PostEditorial Board D.C. Council at-large endorsements https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/david-grosso-leon-swain-for-dc-council/2012/10/18/7ef4c6ce-124c-11e2-ba83-a7a396e6b2a7_story.html 6 July 2026 The Washington Post 18 October 2012 Leon J. Swain Jr. Publications The Washington Post General Election 2012 Council of the District of Columbia At-large election District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Vincent Orange (inc.) 148,595 38.38% Independent David Grosso 78,123 20.18% Independent Michael A. Brown (inc.) 57,762 14.92% District of Columbia Republican Party Mary Brooks Beatty 27,847 7.19% Independent A. J. Cooper 25,012 8.14% Independent Leon J. Swain Jr. 24,588 6.35% D.C. Statehood Green Party Ann C. Wilcox 22,802 5.89% 2,402 0.62% 387,131 100% Ward 2 2012 District of Columbia Ward 2 Election Flag of the District of Columbia.svg presidential no 2008 Council of the District of Columbia election#Ward 2 2008 2016 Council of the District of Columbia election#Ward 2 2016 November 6, 2012 District of Columbia Democratic State Committee File:Jack Evans 2011 DC Pride Parade.jpg Jack Evans 23,414 96.86% Councilmember Jack Evans District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Jack Evans District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Incumbent councilmember Jack Evans cruised to victory, facing no opponents in either the primary or general election. Democratic primary Candidates Jack Evans, incumbent Ward 2 Councilmember Endorsements Jack Evans Labor unions Maryland American Federation of Teachers Service Employees International Union Local 32BJSEIU Maryland/DC State Council Endorses City Council Members Barry, Bowser And Evans https://www.seiu32bj.org/press-release/seiu-maryland-dc-state-council-endorses-city-council-members-barry-bowser-and-evans/ 32BJ SEIU 6 July 2026 13 March 2012 Organizations Gay and Lesbian Activists AllianceChibbaro Jr. Lou Stein Club won't endorse in at-large D.C. Council race https://www.washingtonblade.com/2012/03/06/stein-club-wont-endorse-in-at-large-d-c-council-race/ 6 July 2026 Washington Blade 6 March 2012 National Nurses United Sierra Club Publications The Washington Post 2012 Council of the District of Columbia Ward 2 Democratic primary District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Jack Evans (inc.) 2,947 92.27% Write-in 247 7.73% 3,194 100% General Election 2012 Council of the District of Columbia Ward 2 election District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Jack Evans (inc.) 23,414 96.86% 760 3.14% 24,174 100% Ward 4 2012 District of Columbia Ward 4 Election Flag of the District of Columbia.svg presidential no 2008 Council of the District of Columbia election#Ward 4 2008 2015 Council of the District of Columbia special election#Ward 4 2015 (special) November 6, 2012 District of Columbia Democratic State Committee File:Muriel Bowser dc.gov photo (1).jpg Muriel Bowser 33,045 97.25% Councilmember Muriel Bowser District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Muriel Bowser District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Incumbent councilmember Muriel Bowser easily defeated a crowded primary field before winning an uncontested general election. Democratic primary Candidates Muriel Bowser, incumbent Ward 4 Councilmember Renee L. Bowser Calvin H. Gurley, perennial candidate Baruti Jahi Judi Jones Max Skolnik Endorsements Muriel Bowser Labor unions Maryland American Federation of Teachers Service Employees International Union Local 32BJ Organizations Sierra Club Publications Washington City Paper The Washington Post 2012 Council of the District of Columbia Ward 4 Democratic primary District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Muriel Bowser (inc.) 7,541 66.17% District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Renee L. Bowser 1,523 13.36% District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Max Skolnik 1,042 9.14% District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Baruti Jahi 619 5.43% District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Judi Jones 371 3.26% District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Calvin H. Gurley 268 2.35% Write-in 32 0.28% 11,396 100% General Election 2012 Council of the District of Columbia Ward 4 election District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Muriel Bowser (inc.) 33,045 97.25% 933 2.75% 33,978 100% Ward 7 2012 District of Columbia Ward 7 Election Flag of the District of Columbia.svg presidential no 2008 Council of the District of Columbia election#Ward 7 2008 2016 Council of the District of Columbia election#Ward 7 2016 November 6, 2012 District of Columbia Democratic State Committee File:Yvette Alexander (cropped) in DC Council photo.png Yvette Alexander 29,056 86.96% District of Columbia Republican Party 3x4.svg Ron Moten 4,074 12.19% Councilmember Yvette Alexander District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Yvette Alexander District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Incumbent councilmember Yvette Alexander won a contested primary before beating local community activist Ron Moten in the general election Democratic primary Candidates Yvette Alexander, incumbent Ward 7 Councilmember William Bennett II, minister from Deanwood Tom Brown, education executive and former teacher Kevin B. Chavous, lawyer and son of former councilmember Kevin P. Chavous Dorothy Douglas, activist and member of the District of Columbia State Board of Education Monica L. Johnson Endorsements Yvette Alexander Labor unions Maryland American Federation of Teachers Organizations National Nurses United Sierra Club Tom Brown Labor unions AFL-CIO Metropolitan Washington Council Organizations DC for Democracy District of Columbia Chamber of Commerce Gay and Lesbian Activists Alliance Greater Greater WashingtonFor Ward 7 Council: Tom Brown https://ggwash.org/view/12570/for-ward-7-council-tom-brown Greater Greater Washington 7 July 2026 21 March 2012 Publications Washington City Paper Washington Examiner The Washington Post 2012 Council of the District of Columbia Ward 7 Democratic primary District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Yvette Alexander (inc.) 3,730 42.38% District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Tom Brown 1,950 22.16% District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Kevin B. Chavous 1,916 21.77% District of Columbia Democratic State Committee William Bennett II 892 10.14% District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Dorothy Douglas 192 2.18% District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Monica L. Johnson 73 0.83% Write-in 48 0.55% 8,801 100% Republican primary Candidates Don Folden Sr. Ron Moten, community political activist Endorsements Ron Moten Labor Unions Publications The Washington Post (General election) 2012 Council of the District of Columbia Ward 7 Republican primary District of Columbia Republican Party Ron Moten 68 61.26% District of Columbia Republican Party Don Folden Sr. 31 27.93% Write-in 12 10.81% 111 100% General Election Debates + Debates and forums for Ward 7 candidates Date Place Host Participantsblack #99ff99  P  Participant. black #ccffcc  I  Invitee. black #ffffdd  A  Absent. black #ff9999  N  Confirmed non-invitee. grey #ececec  O  Out of race (exploring, suspended, or not yet entered) Alexander Bennett II Brown Chavous Douglas Folden Sr. Johnson Moten16 February 2012Ward 7 Cand. Forum 2/16 @Langston Golf Course https://frozentropics.blogspot.com/2012/02/ward-7-cand-forum-216-langston-golf.html Frozen Tropics 9 July 2026 15 February 2012Langston Golf CourseLangston Community AssociationPPPPPPPP 2012 Council of the District of Columbia Ward 7 election District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Yvette Alexander (inc.) 29,056 86.96% District of Columbia Republican Party Ron Moten 4,074 12.19% 283 0.85% 33,413 100% Ward 8 2012 District of Columbia Ward 8 Election Flag of the District of Columbia.svg presidential no 2008 Council of the District of Columbia election#Ward 8 2008 2015 Council of the District of Columbia special election#Ward 8 2015 (special) November 6, 2012 District of Columbia Democratic State Committee File:Marion Barry 2010.jpg Marion Barry 27,202 87.98% Independent 3x4.svg Jauhar Abraham 3,588 11.61% Councilmember Marion Barry District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Marion Barry District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Incumbent councilmember Marion Barry easily won a contested primary en route to his final term on the council before his death in office in 2015. Democratic primary Candidates Marion Barry, incumbent Ward 8 Councilmember Darrell Gaston Jacque D. Patterson Sandra Seegars Natalie Williams Endorsements Marion Barry Labor unions Maryland American Federation of Teachers Service Employees International Union Local 32BJ Jacque D. Patterson Publications The Washington Post (Democratic primary) 2012 Council of the District of Columbia Ward 8 Democratic primary District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Marion Barry (inc.) 5,116 73.54% District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Jacque D. Patterson 568 8.16% District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Sandra Seegars 549 7.89% District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Natalie Williams 485 6.97% District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Darrell Gaston 219 3.15% Write-in 20 0.29% 6,957 100% Independents Candidates Jauhar Abraham General Election 2012 Council of the District of Columbia Ward 8 election District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Marion Barry (inc.) 27,202 87.98% Independent Jauhar Abraham 3,588 11.61% 127 0.85% 30,917 100% References Category:2012 United States local elections Category:2012 elections in Washington, D.C. Category:November 2012 in the United States Category:Council of the District of Columbia elections