Mendelson Wins D.C. Council Chairman, Grosso Defeats Michael Brown in At-Large Race

D.C. voters overwhelmingly voted for Phil Mendelson to retain his place as the chairman of the D.C. City Council Tuesday.

With 100 percent of the precincts reporting, Mendelson had defeated challenger Calvin Gurley 72 percent to 28 percent.

Mendelson, a former at-large member of the council, was elected to the position by his fellow councilmembers in June, following the resignation of Kwame Brown. Brown resigned after federal prosecutors charged him with bank fraud, alleging that Brown falsified records in applying to obtain a home loan and buy a $50,000 powerboat.

The council chair is the second-most powerful person in the District of Columbia, behind only the mayor. The ongoing federal investigation of Mayor Vincent Gray gave the race extra significance.

In the at-large race, incumbent Michael A. Brown was voted out of office, placing third in the seven-person race for two spots. He will be replaced by Independent David Grosso, who finished second behind Vincent Orange.

In City Council races, Yvette Alexander and Marion Barry overwhelmingly won re-election in Wards 7 and 8, respectively. Alexander won 88 percent of the vote against Republican Ron Moten. Barry also won 88 percent of the vote in defeating Independent Jauhar Abraham.

Ward 2 Councilmember Jack Evans and Ward 4 Councilmember Muriel Bowser each ran unopposed and each received 97 percent of the vote.