2010 Council of the District of Columbia election

US Election 2010 Council of the District of Columbia election District of Columbia Legislative Popular No 2008 Council of the District of Columbia election 2008 2012 Council of the District of Columbia election 2012 7 seats on the Council of the District of Columbia 7 November 2, 2010 150x150px Kwamebrowndc.jpg Kwame Brown District of Columbia Democratic State Committee 11 11 File:3x4.svg Independent 2 2 Chair of the Council Vincent Gray District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Kwame Brown District of Columbia Democratic State Committee The 2010 Council of the District of Columbia election was held on November 2, 2010, with primaries held on September 14. 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 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 At-large PositionIncumbentCandidatesMemberPartyFirstelectedStatusChairpersonVincent Gray 2006Incumbent declined to run.New member elected.Democratic hold.Democratic Party (US) Kwame Brown 87.8% D.C. Statehood Green Party Ann C. Wilcox 10.2%At-largePhil Mendelson 1998Incumbent re-elected.Democratic Party (US) Phil Mendelson 56.4% Independent David Catania 30.6% D.C. Statehood Green Party David Schwartzman 6.8% Independent Richard Urban 5.2%%David Catania1997 (special)Incumbent re-elected. Wards PositionIncumbentCandidatesMemberPartyFirst electedStatusWard 1Jim Graham 1998 Incumbent re-electedDemocratic Party (US) Jim Graham 81.3% D.C. Statehood Green Party Nancy Shia 9.4% Republican Party (US) Marc Morgan 7.7%Ward 3Mary Cheh 2006 Incumbent re-electedDemocratic Party (US) Mary Cheh 65.0% Republican Party (US) Dave Hedgepeth 34.0%Ward 5Harry Thomas Jr. 2006 Incumbent re-electedDemocratic Party (US) Harry Thomas Jr. 83.9% Independent Kathy Henderson 9.1% Republican Party (US) Tim Day 5.9%Ward 6Tommy Wells 2006 Incumbent re-electedDemocratic Party (US) Tommy Wells 85.2% Republican Party (US) Jim DeMartino 14.0% Chairperson 2010 District of Columbia Chairperson of the Council Election Flag of the District of Columbia.svg presidential no 2006 Council of the District of Columbia election#Chairperson 2006 2012 Council of the District of Columbia special election 2012 (sp.) November 2, 2010 District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Kwamebrowndc.jpg Kwame Brown 111,695 87.75% D.C. Statehood Green Party 3x4.svg Ann C. Wilcox 12,979 10.20% Chairperson Vincent Gray District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Kwame Brown District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Incumbent Chairperson Vincent Gray declined to run again in order to run for Mayor of the District of Columbia. Incumbent Democratic At-large Councilmember Kwame Brown was elected for his first term as chairman of the Council after defeating two challengers in the general election and one in the primary. Democratic primary Candidates Kwame Brown, incumbent Democratic At-large Councilmember Dorothy Douglas Vincent Orange, former Ward 5 Councilmember Endorsements Kwame Brown Local Officials Mary Cheh, incumbent Ward 3 Councilmember Harry Thomas Jr., incumbent Ward 5 CouncilmemberCraig Tim Chairman's race draws Evans, Kwame Brown https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/2010/04/01/chairmans-race-draws-evans-kwame-brown/59b9f7a5-3fca-4b18-8743-e1bf9180be35/ 13 July 2026 The Washington Post 1 April 2010 Organizations Capital Stonewall DemocratsChibbaro Jr. Lou Stein Club backs Mendelson https://www.washingtonblade.com/2010/07/13/stein-club-backs-mendelson/ 13 July 2026 Washington Blade 13 July 2010 District of Columbia Chamber of CommerceBrown takes DC Chamber endorsement https://www.bizjournals.com/washington/blog/2010/07/brown_takes_dc_chamber_endorsement.html 13 July 2026 Washington Business Journal 8 July 2010 Sierra ClubAnn E. Marimow Kwame Brown has lead in council chairman race https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/2010/08/31/kwame-brown-has-lead-in-council-chairman-race/7f090eb7-7a7b-44d4-b654-ae749fde323d/ 13 July 2026 The Washington Post 30 August 2010 Vincent Orange Publications The Washington PostEditorial Board Vincent Orange is best qualified to face the city's challenges as D.C. council chair https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/08/AR2010080802476.html 13 July 2026 The Washington Post 9 August 2010 2010 Council of the District of Columbia Chairperson Democratic primaryPrimary Election 2010 - Certified Results https://electionresults.dcboe.org/election_results/2010-Primary-Election DCBOE District of Columbia Board of Elections 13 July 2026 29 September 2010 District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Kwame Brown 68,320 55.18% District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Vincent Orange 47,754 38.57% District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Dorothy Douglas 6,922 5.59% Write-in 812 0.66% 123,808 100% Statehood Green primary Candidates Ann C. Wilcox 2010 Council of the District of Columbia Chairperson Statehood Green primary D.C. Statehood Green Party Ann C. Wilcox 411 82.86% 85 100% 496 100% General election 2010 Council of the District of Columbia Chairperson electionGeneral Election 2010 - Certified Results https://electionresults.dcboe.org/election_results/2010-General-Election DCBOE District of Columbia Board of Elections 13 July 2026 19 November 2010 District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Kwame Brown 111,695 87.75% D.C. Statehood Green Party Ann C. Wilcox 12,979 10.20% 2,618 2.06% 127,292 100% At-large 2010 Council of the District of Columbia At-large election Flag of the District of Columbia.svg presidential 2008 Council of the District of Columbia special election#At-large 2008 2011 Council of the District of Columbia special election 2011 (sp.) November 2, 2010 File:Phil Mendelson - DC Capital Pride - 2014 (cropped).jpg Phil Mendelson District of Columbia Democratic State Committee 105,296 56.41% Independent File:Davidcatania.jpg David Catania 57,163 30.62% D.C. Statehood Green Party 3x4.svg David Schwartzman 12,697 6.80% Independent 3x4.svg Richard Urban 9,668 5.18% Councilmembers Phil Mendelson (Dem.)David Catania (Ind.) Phil Mendelson (Dem.)David Catania (Ind.) Both incumbents, Democrat Phil Mendelson and Independent David Catania, won re-election to their fourth full terms. Democratic primary Candidates Michael D. Brown, incumbent DC Shadow Senator Phil Mendelson, incumbent Democratic At-large Councilmember (since 1999) Clark Ray Endorsements Phil Mendelson Local officials Michael A. Brown, incumbent Independent At-large Councilmember Organizations Capital Stonewall Democrats Greater Greater WashingtonEndorsement quick reference https://ggwash.org/view/6413/endorsement-quick-reference Greater Greater Washington 13 July 2026 13 September 2010 2010 Council of the District of Columbia At-large Democratic primary District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Phil Mendelson (inc.) 77,127 62.56% District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Michael D. Brown 34,829 28.25% District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Clark Ray 10,688 8.67% Write-in 649 1.42% 123,293 100% Statehood Green primary Candidates Darryl L. C. Moch David Schwartzman 2010 Council of the District of Columbia At-large Statehood Green primary D.C. Statehood Green Party David Schwartzman 326 62.33% D.C. Statehood Green Party Darryl L. C. Moch 142 27.15% 55 10.52% 523 100% Independents Candidates David Catania, incumbent Independent At-large Councilmember (since 1998) Richard Urban General Election 2010 Council of the District of Columbia At-large election District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Phil Mendelson (inc.) 105,296 56.41% Independent David Catania 57,163 30.62% D.C. Statehood Green Party David Schwartzman 12,697 6.80% Independent Richard Urban 9,668 5.18% 1,839 0.99% 186,663 100% Ward 1 2010 District of Columbia Ward 1 Election Flag of the District of Columbia.svg presidential no 2006 Council of the District of Columbia election#Ward 1 2006 2014 Council of the District of Columbia election#Ward 1 2014 November 4, 2010 District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Jimgraham2.jpg Jim Graham 11,946 81.31% D.C. Statehood Green Party 3x4.svg Nancy Shia 1,376 9.37% District of Columbia Republican Party 3x4.svg Marc Morgan 1,137 7.74% Councilmember Jim Graham District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Jim Graham District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Incumbent councilmember Jim Graham was re-elected to a fourth full term. Democratic primary Candidates Jim Graham, incumbent Ward 1 Councilmember Jeff Smith Bryan Weaver Endorsements Jim Graham Labor unions Amalgamated Transit Union local 689Stroup Dave Campaign Notebook: August 20, 2010 https://www.welovedc.com/2010/08/20/campaign-notebook-august-20-2010/ 13 July 2026 We Love DC 20 August 2010 UNITE HERE local 25 Organizations Capital Stonewall DemocratsChibbaro Jr. Lou Graham, Thomas win Stein Club endorsements https://www.washingtonblade.com/2010/05/18/graham-thomas-win-stein-club-endorsements/ 13 July 2026 Washington Blade 18 May 2010 Sierra Club Publications The Washington PostEditorial Board D.C. Council endorsements https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/opinions/2010/09/02/dc-council-endorsements/ec795526-e2c3-4bd4-8895-4295e7951418/ 13 July 2026 The Washington Post 2 September 2010 Jeff Smith Labor unions Baltimore-D.C. Metro Building Trades Council Organizations District of Columbia Chamber of Commerce 2010 Council of the District of Columbia Ward 1 Democratic primary District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Jim Graham (inc.) 8,381 56.88% District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Jeff Smith 3,159 21.44% District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Bryan Weaver 3,155 21.41% Write-in 39 0.50% 14,734 100% Republican primary Candidates Marc Morgan 2010 Council of the District of Columbia Ward 1 Republican primary District of Columbia Republican Party Marc Morgan 126 76.36% Write-in 39 23.64% 165 100% Statehood Green primary No candidates filed for the primary, with Nancy Shia winning the nomination through write-in votes. 2010 Council of the District of Columbia Ward 1 Statehood Green primary 59 100% 59 100% General Election 2010 Council of the District of Columbia Ward 1 election District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Jim Graham 11,946 81.31% D.C. Statehood Green Party Nancy Shia 1,376 9.37% District of Columbia Republican Party Marc Morgan 1,137 7.74% 233 1.59% 14,692 100% Ward 3 2010 District of Columbia Ward 3 Election Flag of the District of Columbia.svg presidential no 2006 Council of the District of Columbia election#Ward 3 2006 2014 Council of the District of Columbia election#Ward 3 2014 November 2, 2010 District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Mary Cheh Hands Off DC Rally (cropped).jpeg Mary Cheh 12,141 64.95% District of Columbia Republican Party 3x4.svg Dave Hedgepeth 6,363 34.04% Councilmember Mary Cheh Democratic Mary Cheh Democratic Incumbent councilmember Mary Cheh won re-election to a third term, defeating Republican nominee Dave Hedgepeth. Democratic primary Candidates Mary Cheh, incumbent Ward 3 Councilmember (since 2003) Endorsements Mary Cheh Organizations Greater Greater Washington 2010 Council of the District of Columbia Ward 3 Democratic primary District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Mary Cheh (inc.) 14,090 93.68% Write-in 950 6.32% 15,040 100% Republican primary Candidates Dave Hedgepeth, litigation lawyerCraig Tim Republicans field 4 candidates in targeted D.C. Council race https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/17/AR2010031703676.html 13 July 2026 The Washington Post 2010 Council of the District of Columbia Ward 3 Republican primary District of Columbia Republican Party Dave Hedgepeth 600 92.88% 46 7.12% 646 100% General Election 2010 Council of the District of Columbia Ward 3 election District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Mary Cheh (inc.) 12,141 64.95% District of Columbia Republican Party Dave Hedgepeth 6,363 34.04% 190 1.02% 18,694 100% Ward 5 2010 District of Columbia Ward 5 Election Flag of the District of Columbia.svg presidential no 2006 Council of the District of Columbia election#Ward 5 2012 (sp.) 2012 Council of the District of Columbia special election 2012 (sp.) November 2, 2010 District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Htomas.jpg Harry Thomas Jr. 15,146 83.85% Independent 3x4.svg Kathy Henderson 1,651 9.14% District of Columbia Republican Party 3x4.svg Tim Day 1,073 5.94% Councilmember Vincent Orange Democratic Harry Thomas Jr. Democratic Incumbent councilmember Vincent Orange declined to run for a second term to run for Mayor. The seat was won by Harry Thomas Jr., son of former Ward 5 Councilmember Harry Thomas Sr.. Democratic primary Candidates Delano Hunter Kenyan McDuffie Harry Thomas Jr., son of former Ward 5 Councilmember Harry Thomas Sr. Tracey D. Turner Endorsements Delano Hunter fendor Publications The Washington Post Kenyan McDuffie Organizations Greater Greater Washington Harry Thomas Jr. Organizations Capital Stonewall Democrats 2010 Council of the District of Columbia Ward 5 Democratic primary District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Harry Thomas Jr. 11,185 61.67% District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Delano Hunter 3,471 19.14% District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Kenyan McDuffie 2,685 14.80% District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Tracey D. Turner 750 4.13% Write-in 47 0.26% 18,138 100% Republican primary Candidates Tim Day 2010 Council of the District of Columbia Ward 5 Republican primary District of Columbia Republican Party Tim Day 115 77.18% 34 22.82% 149 100% Independents Candidates Kathy Henderson General Election 2010 Council of the District of Columbia Ward 5 election District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Harry Thomas Jr. 15,146 83.85% Independent Kathy Henderson 1,073 5.94% Independent Kathy Henderson 1,651 9.14% District of Columbia Republican Party Tim Day 1,073 5.94% 194 1.07% 20,977 100% Ward 6 2010 District of Columbia Ward 6 Election Flag of the District of Columbia.svg presidential no 2006 Council of the District of Columbia election#Ward 6 2006 2014 Council of the District of Columbia election#Ward 6 2014 November 2, 2010 District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Tommy Wells - DC Gay Pride Parade 2012 (7171190271).jpg Tommy Wells 16,256 85.18% District of Columbia Republican Party 3x4.svg Jim DeMartino 2,674 14.01% Councilmember Tommy Wells Democratic Tommy Wells Democratic Incumbent councilmember Tommy Wells won re-election to a second term, defeating Republican nominee Jim DeMartino. Democratic primary Candidates Kelvin Robinson, former chief of staff to Mayor Anthony Williams Tommy Wells, incumbent Ward 6 Councilmember (since 2007) Endorsements Tommy Wells Organizations Greater Greater Washington Publications The Washington Post Debates + Debates and forums for Ward 6 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) DeMartinoDue to District of Columbia general elections being overwhelmingly dominated by the Democratic party, some notionally partisan forums invite candidates from other political parties to give them a chance to speak and engage with Democratic candidates. Robinson Wells1 September 2010Rauch Claudia Ward 6 City Council Candidates Forum Tonight https://thehillishome.com/2010/09/ward-6-city-council-candidates-forum-tonight/ 13 July 2026 The Hill is Home 1 September 2010Christ Our Shepherd ChurchWard 6 DemocratsPPP 2010 Council of the District of Columbia Ward 6 Democratic primary District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Tommy Wells (inc.) 12,862 75.10% District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Kelvin Robinson 4,186 24.44% Write-in 79 0.46% 17,127 100% Republican primary Candidates Jim DeMartino, military consultant for the United States Navy 2010 Council of the District of Columbia Ward 6 Republican primary District of Columbia Republican Party Jim DeMartino 456 91.02% 45 8.98% 501 100% General Election 2010 Council of the District of Columbia Ward 6 election District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Tommy Wells (inc.) 16,256 85.18% District of Columbia Republican Party Jim DeMartino 2,674 14.01% 154 0.81% 19,084 100% Notes References Category:2010 United States local elections Category:2010 elections in Washington, D.C. Category:November 2010 in the United States Category:Council of the District of Columbia elections