For D.C.’s at-large council races Nov. 6, the Washington Post endorsed two challengers over incumbents Vincent Orange and Michael Brown.
The reason: The city’s in poor political health and Orange and Brown aren’t leaders of “unquestionable temperament and ethics.”
Orange’s campaign to win the special seat in 2011 is currently the subject of a campaign finance office audit and possibly under investigation by federal authorities. For his part, Brown has a history of unpaid taxes and rent, driving troubles, lax oversight of his campaign treasury and not disclosing conflicts of interest on the dais.
“Neither Mr. Brown nor Mr. Orange deserves reelection, particularly when there are attractive alternatives in the independent candidacies of David Grosso and Leon Swain Jr. Other candidates on the ballot are A.J. Cooper (I), Mary Brooks Beatty (R) and Ann C. Wilcox (Statehood Green). “
Grosso previously worked for former council member Sharon Ambrose—for who he ran the economic development committee—and Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton. He supports education reform and stronger ethic laws.
Swain is the chairman of the D.C. Taxicab Commission and “responded to an offer of a substantial bribe by going undercover for the FBI, at considerable risk and hardship”
Do Grosso and Swain stand a chance at taking down the big names?
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