2006 Council of the District of Columbia election

U.S. election June 2026 2006 Council of the District of Columbia election District of Columbia legislative no 2004 Council of the District of Columbia election 2004 2008 Council of the District of Columbia election 2008 7 seats on the Council of the District of Columbia 7 November 7, 2006 Linda Cropp (cropped).jpg Linda Cropp District of Columbia Democratic State Committee 11 11 Carol Schwartz 2005 Pride Parade.png Carol Schwartz District of Columbia Republican Party 1 1 Davidcatania.jpg David Catania Independent 1 1 The 2006 Council of the District of Columbia election was held on November 7, with primaries taking place on September 12. There was considerable change in the composition of the Council following the general election, with new members elected to the Chair and in Wards 3, 5, and 6. Additionally, while not directly up for election this cycle, the seats for Ward 4 and Ward 7 were vacated due to Adrian Fenty winning election to Mayor of the District of Columbia and Vincent Gray winning election to Council Chair respectively. Summary Democrats remained the largest party on the Council, as they kept their 11 total seats. David Catania won re-election in his first election as an independent rather than a Republican, remaining the only independent on Council. At-large PositionIncumbentCandidatesMemberPartyFirstelectedStatusChairpersonLinda Cropp 1997 (special)Incumbent ran for other office.New member elected.Democratic hold.Democratic Party (US) Vincent Gray 97.8%At-largeDavid Catania 1997 (special)Incumbent re-elected.Democratic Party (US) Phil Mendelson 50.6% Independent David Catania 32.5% D.C. Statehood Green Party Ann C. Wilcox 6.9% Independent Tony Dominguez 4.9% Republican Party (US) Marcus Skelton 4.6%Phil Mendelson1998Incumbent re-elected. Wards PositionIncumbentCandidatesMemberPartyFirst electedStatusWard 1Jim Graham 1998Incumbent re-elected.Democratic Party (US) Jim Graham 97.2%Ward 3Kathleen Patterson 1994Incumbent ran for other office.New member elected.Democratic hold.Democratic Party (US) Mary Cheh 71.5% Republican Party (US) Theresa Conroy 27.8%Ward 5Vincent Orange 1998Incumbent ran for other office.New member elected.Democratic hold.Democratic Party (US) Harry Thomas Jr. 85.2% D.C. Statehood Green Party Carolyn C. Steptoe 7.9% Independent Miriam Moore 4.1% Independent Tontalya T. Wright 1.7%Ward 6Sharon Ambrose 1997 (special)Incumbent retired.New member elected.Democratic hold.Democratic Party (US) Tommy Wells 61.2% Independent Will Cobb 27.5% Republican Party (US) 10.9% Chairperson 2006 Council of the District of Columbia Chairperson election Flag of the District of Columbia.svg presidential 2002 Council of the District of Columbia election#Chairperson 2002 2010 Council of the District of Columbia election#Chairperson 2010 November 7, 2006 Vincent Gray official portrait.jpg Vincent Gray District of Columbia Democratic State Committee 107,249 97.78% Chairperson Linda Cropp Democratic Vincent Gray Democratic Incumbent chairwoman Linda Cropp declined to run for office again in favor of pursuing a mayoral bid, finishing second in the Democratic primary. Ward 7 Councilmember Vincent Gray beat Ward 3 Councilmember Kathleen Patterson in the Democratic primary for Chair, winning an uncontested general election easily. Democratic primary Candidates Vincent Gray, incumbent Ward 7 Councilmember Kathleen Patterson, incumbent Ward 3 Councilmember Endorsements Vincent Gray Labor unions American Federation of Government Employees district 14D.C. Government and Federal Workers Union Endorses Linda Cropp for D.C. Mayor 2006-07-20 American Federation of Government Employees https://www.afge.org/publication/d.c.-government-and-federal-workers-union-endorses-linda-cropp-for-d.c.-mayor Washington Teachers' UnionStewart Nikita Sierra Club Is Latest to Snub Patterson https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/2006/08/10/sierra-club-is-latest-to-snub-patterson/ce567852-01da-4263-8cea-da44d9d847cc/ 10 August 2026 The Washington Post 9 August 2006 Organizations Sierra Club Publications The Washington PostEditorial Board For D.C. Council Chairman https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/opinions/2006/09/02/for-dc-council-chairman-span-classbankheadvincent-gray-has-the-vision-and-leadership-qualities-to-forge-an-effective-councilspan/a550885c-7b52-44f6-943b-2240ea38c1ae/ 10 August 2026 The Washington Post 1 September 2006 Kathleen Patterson Labor unions American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees council 20Woodlee Yolanda Montgomery Lori Labor Unions Pick Choices for Mayor, Council Chairman https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/2006/06/23/labor-unions-pick-choices-for-mayor-council-chairman-span-classbankheadtwo-groups-separately-endorse-cropp-fenty/e77b4787-83c2-4cce-b025-2c7c412f7bbb/ 10 August 2026 The Washington Post 22 June 2006 SEIU local 32BJ 2006 Council of the District of Columbia Chairperson Democratic primarySeptember 12 2006 Primary Election https://dcboe.org/getmedia/87e2a09b-8f1f-4acc-9aaf-3ef6e1bfb8a8/ey2006_primary_summary.pdf 26 September 2006 DC Board of Elections 10 August 2026 District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Vincent Gray 58,345 57.06% District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Kathleen Patterson 43,646 42.68% Write-in 261 0.26% 102,252 100% General election 2006 Council of the District of Columbia Chairperson electionNovember 7 2006 General Election https://dcboe.org/getmedia/77fd9c1b-bb65-473b-8c1c-4530af2e2f2f/Summary_General_2006.pdf 21 November 2006 DC Board of Elections 10 August 2026 District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Vincent Gray 107,249 97.78% 2,440 2.22% 109,689 100% At-large 2006 Council of the District of Columbia At-large election Flag of the District of Columbia.svg presidential 2002 Council of the District of Columbia election#At-large 2002 2010 Council of the District of Columbia election#At-large 2010 November 7, 2006 File:Phil Mendelson - DC Capital Pride - 2014 (cropped).jpg Phil Mendelson District of Columbia Democratic State Committee 90,599 50.57% Independent Davidcatania.jpg David Catania 58,293 32.54% D.C. Statehood Green Party 3x4.svg Ann C. Wilcox 12,390 6.92% Independent 3x4.svg Tony Dominguez 8,759 4.89% District of Columbia Republican Party 3x4.svg Marcus Skelton 8,199 4.58% Councilmembers David Catania (Rep.)Phil Mendelson (Dem.) David Catania (Rep.)Phil Mendelson (Dem.) Republican David Catania and Democrat Phil Mendelson each won election to their third full term. Democratic primary Candidates A. Scott Bolden, lawyerA. Scott Bolden https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/2006/09/07/a-scott-bolden/9e0c4ba8-66ab-4370-908f-f4bb60266555/ 10 August 2026 The Washington Post 6 September 2006 Phil Mendelson, incumbent At-large Councilmember Endorsements Phil Mendelson Labor unions American Federation of Government Employees district 14 American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees council 20 Organizations Sierra Club Publications The Washington PostEditorial Board Primary Day Our endorsements in the District and Maryland https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/opinions/2006/09/12/primary-day-span-classbankheadour-endorsements-in-the-district-and-marylandspan/1fb71765-483f-481d-bb99-bb3db51c73bf/ 11 August 2026 The Washington Post 12 September 2006 2006 Council of the District of Columbia At-large Democratic primary District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Phil Mendelson (inc.) 62,776 63.58% District of Columbia Democratic State Committee A. Scott Bolden 35,486 35.94% Write-in 468 0.47% 98,730 100% Republican primary Candidates Marcus Skelton 2006 Council of the District of Columbia At-large Republican primary District of Columbia Republican Party Marcus Skelton 1,766 87.00% 264 13.00% 2,030 100% Statehood Green primary Candidates Ann C. Wilcox, lawyerAnn C. Wilcox https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/2006/09/07/ann-c-wilcox-149/c1e17be0-25d1-4d75-b815-ae4331f74711/ 10 August 2026 The Washington Post 6 September 2006 2006 Council of the District of Columbia At-large Statehood Green primary D.C. Statehood Green Party Ann C. Wilcox 375 82.78% 78 17.22% 453 100% Independents Candidates David Catania, incumbent At-large Councilmember Tony Dominguez, local government employee General election 2006 Council of the District of Columbia At-large election District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Phil Mendelson (inc.) 90,599 50.57% Independent David Catania (inc.) 58,293 32.54% D.C. Statehood Green Party Ann C. Wilcox 12,390 6.92% Independent Tony Dominguez 8,759 4.89% District of Columbia Republican Party Marcus Skelton 8,199 4.58% 912 0.51% 179,152 100% Ward 1 2006 Council of the District of Columbia Ward 1 election Flag of the District of Columbia.svg presidential 2002 Council of the District of Columbia election#Ward 1 2002 2010 Council of the District of Columbia election#Ward 1 2010 November 7, 2006 Jimgraham2.jpg Jim Graham District of Columbia Democratic State Committee 11,489 97.24% Councilmember Jim Graham Democratic Jim Graham Democratic Incumbent Councilmember Jim Graham won re-election to his third full term. Democratic primary Candidates Jim Graham, incumbent Ward 1 Councilmember Chad Williams, real estate developer Endorsements Jim Graham Labor unions American Federation of Government Employees district 14 American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees council 20 Organizations Sierra Club Publications The Washington PostEditorial Board Jim Graham for Ward 1 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/opinions/2006/08/22/jim-graham-for-ward-1-span-classbankheadif-any-member-of-the-dc-council-deserves-renomination-he-doesspan/7f2871b0-50a4-4e55-9893-9492774c6dcb/ 10 August 2026 The Washington Post 21 August 2006 2006 Council of the District of Columbia Ward 1 Democratic primary District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Jim Graham (inc.) 9,028 86.32% District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Chad Williams 1,361 13.01% Write-in 70 0.67% 10,459 100% General Election 2006 Council of the District of Columbia Ward 1 election District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Jim Graham (inc.) 11,489 97.24% 326 2.76% 11,815 100% Ward 3 2006 Council of the District of Columbia Ward 3 election Flag of the District of Columbia.svg presidential 2002 Council of the District of Columbia election#Ward 3 2002 2010 Council of the District of Columbia election#Ward 3 2010 November 7, 2006 Mary Cheh -- 05-14-2010.jpg Mary Cheh District of Columbia Democratic State Committee 13,881 71.47% District of Columbia Republican Party 3x4.svg Theresa Conroy 5,403 27.82% Councilmember Kathleen Patterson Democratic Mary Cheh Democratic Incumbent Ward 3 Councilmember Kathleen Patterson declined to run for re-election in order to campaign for Chair of the Council, for which she ultimately lost in the Democratic primary. Mary Cheh won a crowded primary field, handily beating Republican challenger Theresa Conroy in the general election. Democratic primary Candidates Sam Brooks, political consultant Mary Cheh, George Washington University law professor Erik Gaull, DC government staffer Robert Gordon, international development consultant Eric Goulet, former Council finance committee staffer Jonathan Rees, healthcare business administrator Bill Rice, former District Department of Transportation spokesperson Paul Strauss, incumbent District of Columbia Shadow Senator Cathy Wiss, Advisory Neighborhood Commission 3F chair Endorsements Mary Cheh Local officials Kathleen Patterson, incumbent Ward 3 CouncilmemberWoodlee Yolanda Many New Faces Emerging in Ward Primaries https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/2006/09/13/many-new-faces-emerging-in-ward-primaries/b41d28fa-623a-44c1-8328-3f9607c3d8cd/ 11 August 2026 The Washington Post 13 September 2006 Organizations Sierra Club Publications The Washington PostEditorial Board For D.C. Council Seats https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/opinions/2006/10/23/for-dc-council-seats-span-classbankheadvote-jim-graham-mary-cheh-harry-thomas-jr-and-tommy-wellsspan/43955260-348f-449a-8e40-6108f80f10d6/ 10 August 2026 The Washington Post 22 October 2006 Paul Strauss Organizations American Federation of Government Employees district 14 2006 Council of the District of Columbia Ward 3 Democratic primary District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Mary Cheh 6,462 44.28% District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Paul Strauss 2,110 14.46% District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Sam Brooks 1,191 8.16% District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Robert Gordon 1,159 7.94% District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Cathy Wiss 1,158 7.93% District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Bill Rice 954 6.54% District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Eric Goulet 490 3.36% District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Jonathan Rees 32 0.22% Write-in 15 0.10% 14,594 100% Republican primary Candidates Theresa Conroy, medical worker 2006 Council of the District of Columbia Ward 3 Republican primary District of Columbia Republican Party Theresa Conroy 577 85.10% 101 14.90% 678 100% General election 2006 Council of the District of Columbia Ward 3 election District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Mary Cheh 13,881 71.47% District of Columbia Republican Party Theresa Conroy 5,403 27.82% 139 0.72% 19,423 100% Ward 5 2006 Council of the District of Columbia Ward 5 election Flag of the District of Columbia.svg presidential 2002 Council of the District of Columbia election#Ward 5 2002 2010 Council of the District of Columbia election#Ward 5 2010 November 7, 2006 Htomas.jpg Harry Thomas Jr. District of Columbia Democratic State Committee 13,507 85.22% D.C. Statehood Green Party 3x4.svg Carolyn C. Steptoe 1,254 7.91% Independent 3x4.svg Miriam Moore 648 4.09% Independent 3x4.svg Tontalya T. Wright 267 1.68% Councilmember Vincent Orange Democratic Harry Thomas Jr. Democratic Two-term incumbent Councilmember Vincent Orange declined to run for re-election in order to pursue a bid for Mayor, winning a mere 2.9% in the Democratic primary. Harry Thomas Jr., the son of former Ward 5 Councilmember Harry Thomas Sr., emerged victorious from a crowded field of 11 in the Democratic primary and cleaned up against 3 challengers in the November general election. Democratic primary Candidates Joe Harris, executive of the Friendship House association Kathy Henderson, Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner Regina James, Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner Ron L. Magnus, former District of Columbia Assistant Attorney General Bruce A. Marshall, lawyer Audrey M. Ray, administrative assistant Deborah Smith, Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner Harry Thomas Jr., son of former Ward 5 Councilmember Harry Thomas Sr. Frank Wilds, advertising executive Vera Winfield, barbershop owner Rae Zapata, former rent administrator Endorsements Harry Thomas Jr. Labor unions American Federation of Government Employees district 14 American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees council 20 Publications The Washington PostEditorial Board Choices in Wards 5 and 6 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/opinions/2006/08/24/choices-in-wards-5-and-6-span-classbankheadharry-thomas-jr-for-ward-5/23be0a08-3c11-4e4c-900a-4ad4503396e4/ 10 August 2026 The Washington Post 24 August 2006 2006 Council of the District of Columbia Ward 5 Democratic primary District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Harry Thomas Jr. 6,027 39.27% District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Frank Wilds 2,920 19.03% District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Rae Zapata 1,649 10.75% District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Bruce A. Marshall 1,491 9.72% District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Kathy Henderson 714 4.65% District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Ron L. Magnus 621 4.05% District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Regina James 547 3.56% District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Audrey M. Ray 508 3.31% District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Deborah Smith 373 2.43% District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Vera Winfield 224 1.46% District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Joe Harris 212 1.38% Write-in 60 0.39% 15,346 100% Statehood Green primary Candidates Philip Blair Jr., consultant Carolyn C. Steptoe, paralegal 2006 Council of the District of Columbia Ward 5 Statehood Green primary D.C. Statehood Green Party Carolyn C. Steptoe 40 44.94% D.C. Statehood Green Party Philip Blair Jr. 33 37.08% 16 17.98% 89 100% Independents Candidates Miriam Moore Tontalya T. Wright General election 2006 Council of the District of Columbia Ward 5 election District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Harry Thomas Jr. 13,507 85.22% D.C. Statehood Green Party Carolyn C. Steptoe 1,254 7.91% Independent Miriam Moore 648 4.09% Independent Tontalya T. Wright 267 1.68% 174 1.10% 15,850 100% Ward 6 2006 Council of the District of Columbia Ward 6 special election Flag of the District of Columbia.svg presidential 2002 Council of the District of Columbia election#Ward 6 2002 2010 Council of the District of Columbia election#Ward 6 2010 November 7, 2006 Tommy Wells at Rally for School Modernization.jpg Tommy Wells District of Columbia Democratic State Committee 10,318 61.23% Independent 3x4.svg Will Cobb 4,634 27.50% District of Columbia Republican Party 3x4.svg Tony Williams 1,839 10.91% Councilmember Sharon Ambrose Democratic Tommy Wells Democratic Incumbent Councilmember Sharon Ambrose declined to run for re-election for a third term, instead opting to resign at the end of her term due to her ongoing battle with multiple sclerosis.Weiss Eric M. Ailing Ambrose to Retire From D.C. Council https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/2005/09/23/ailing-ambrose-to-retire-from-dc-council/f4ef66a1-2959-4be3-b2d1-dcf6eb35bc43/ 10 August 2026 The Washington Post 22 September 2005 Democratic primary Candidates Curtis L. Etherly Jr., government relations executive Leo Pinson, former neighborhood services coordinator Tommy Wells, member of the District of Columbia State Board of Education Endorsements Tommy Wells Labor unions American Federation of Government Employees district 14 American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees council 20 Local officials Sharon Ambrose, incumbent Ward 6 Councilmember Organizations Sierra Club Publications The Washington Post 2006 Council of the District of Columbia Ward 6 Democratic primary District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Tommy Wells 8,323 65.09% District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Curtis L. Etherly Jr. 2,510 19.63% District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Leo Pinson 1,714 13.41% Write-in 239 1.87% 12,786 100% Republican primary Candidates Tony Williams, former staffer for Senator Norm ColemanAntonio (Tony) Williams https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/2006/09/07/antonio-tony-williams-149/3e5c22d2-83cc-4cdc-8fe8-88e50849476d/ 10 August 2026 The Washington Post 6 September 2006 2006 Council of the District of Columbia Ward 6 Republican primary District of Columbia Republican Party Tony Williams 376 88.26% 50 11.74% 426 100% Independents Candidates Will Cobb, academic administrator General Election 2006 Council of the District of Columbia Ward 6 election District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Tommy Wells 10,318 61.23% Independent Will Cobb 4,634 27.50% District of Columbia Republican Party Tony Williams 1,839 10.91% 60 0.36% 16,851 100% References Category:2006 United States local elections Category:2006 elections in Washington, D.C. Category:Council of the District of Columbia elections