In an editorial published Thursday, the Washington Post endorsed Ward 4 Council member Muriel Bowser for D.C. mayor.
The Post says Bowser can "open her mind to new ideas and surround herself with smart, capable staff" to lead the city. Bowser, a D.C. native, attended American University and has served in the council since 2007.
The Post said it might have endorsed incumbent Mayor Vincent Gray, except for the ongoing criminal investigation into the shadow campaign that tainted his victory in 2010.
"This is no ordinary reelection campaign. The crimes and other troubling circumstances that surround Mr. Gray’s campaign four years ago and his refusal to be forthcoming about those events, to the public or the federal prosecutor, strike us as close to disqualifying," the editorial reads.
It also adds some of Gray's successes -- like fiscal responsibility and education -- could be credited to his predecessors, Adrian Fenty and Anthony Williams.
The Post notes three other D.C. Council members running for mayor (Jack Evans, Tommy Wells and Vincent Orange) offer more "pluasible candidacies" than that of Reta Jo Lewis and Andy Shallal, grouped by the Post as the "less-serious category."
The Democratic primary will be held April 1, and early voting begins March 17.
