Council Member David Catania Files Formal Papers to Run for D.C. Mayor

Current cancels endorsement of Gray

In the race for D.C. mayor Wednesday, an influential newspaper canceled its endorsement of Mayor Vincent Gray, a police union gave its endorsement and a veteran D.C. Council member made his campaign bid official.

Independent Council member David Catania filed formal papers to run for mayor in November, adding more drama to a week already filled with it.

“If we’re going to secure our future, we need a leader that shares our values, has a vision and has the tenacity to get the job done,” Catania said.

Catania, elected five times citywide, has planned for months to run.

Two years ago, Catania called on Gray to resign when the Jeffrey Thompson “shadow campaign” was first revealed. Thompson pleaded guilty Monday and implicated Gray.

“I said he should have resigned then and I believe that today,” Catania said. “This Jeff Thompson/Vince Gray drama, the time has come for this to end.”

Catania said his record on city health and education issues would offset any concerns of being a white, gay, independent man in mostly Democratic D.C.

“I would be delighted to put my record against any of those who currently have ‘Democrat’ by their name,” he said.

Also Wednesday, the D.C. police union endorsed Democratic Council member Tommy Wells for the April 1 primary, with early voting starting Monday, saying Wells has worked hard on police issues.

In more bad news for Gray, the influential, weekly Current newspapers withdrew its recent endorsement. In 50,000 copies printed Wednesday it said, “We are now less certain about Mr. Gray’s innocence.”

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