D.C. Mayoral Candidates Begin Petition Drives to Qualify for Ballot

The race for D.C. mayor is getting more crowded, with two new candidates entering the race Friday -- and neither of them the incumbent mayor, Vincent Gray.

A representative of D.C. Councilmember Vincent Orange picked up nominating petitions Friday to get his name on the ballot for the April 1 Democratic primary.

Orange is the fourth councilmember to enter the race, joining Democratic colleagues Jack Evans, Tommy Wells and Muriel Bowser.

Friday was the first day candidates for mayor could begin circulating the petitions.

But so far, those candidates don't include the incumbent mayor, Vincent Gray. He says he hasn't made up his mind on seeking a second term, although he says he's proud of what his administration has accomplished.

Complicating matters for Gray is an ongoing federal investigation of his 2010 campaign. Four people who worked on that campaign have pleaded guilty to felonies.

Restaurateur Andy Shallal told The Associated Press that he will launch his campaign on Tuesday. Shallal owns the Busboys and Poets restaurant chain and has long been considering a run. He is a supporter of Gray and says he would not be running if Gray were in the race, but he's no longer waiting for Gray to decide.

Shallal chaired former Council member Michael Brown's 2012 campaign. Brown was convicted of taking bribes, which Shallal said surprised him.

"Nobody was more disappointed than I am," he said.

Candidates must collect 2,000 signatures of registered Democrats by Jan. 2. Gray said this week it would only take him a few days to gather the necessary signatures.

Former State Department official Reta Lewis picked up nominating petitions Friday morning, reported News4's Tom Sherwood. Lewis announced her intentions to run in July and made it official last week.

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