One of the most severe critics of D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray called again Friday for him to resign in the wake of his campaign scandal, but not because he has an eye on the mayor’s office.
D.C. Council member David Catania took himself out of any race to replace the mayor. Some thought Catania was just criticizing Gray to make his own race for mayor.
On Thursday, reporters pursued Gray after a Washington Post poll showed 54 percent of D.C. citizens want him to resign because of scandal. Gray insists he's doing his job and will leave the scandal to the courts.
On the WAMU Politics Hour Friday, Catania, who was the first last week to call for Gray to resign, said the mayor has lost his ability to lead even though he hasn't been formally charged in the scandal.
“I think he knew,” Catania said. “I think he knows he knows. I think many people know -- it’s reflected in the polls. I think he’s lost his legitimacy to govern. In light of a compromised election I think the citizens deserve a fair election.”
Catania said he believes Gray may have been caught up in the scandal that overtook the campaign.
“Here we have what is otherwise a very fine person,” Catania said. “I served with Vince Gray when he was a Ward 7 member and as chairman and I know he has to wake up every day and wondered what happened.”
“I know he does love the city, but if that were true, it’s time to stop the drama,” he added. “It’s time to step down.”
Some Gray supporters complained Catania wants to run for mayor himself, but Friday, Catania took himself out of any special election should gray resign.
“There was a time, to be honest, I was seriously contemplating and would loved to have been mayor, and I think you have to have a certain fire in the belly, but I don’t want it as much as the others,” he said.
