D.C. will hold a special election to replace Council member Jack Evans, officials announced a day after Evans said he will step down.
A special election for the Ward 2 Council seat will be held June 16, the Board of Elections announced Wednesday. That's two weeks after the primary election June 2, which also includes the Ward 2 seat, so candidates would be running for the primary and the special election at the same time.
Elections officials picked the date to minimize confusion among voters over the primary and special election, provide adequate time for candidates to obtain the 500 signatures they need, and adhere to the mandated timeline of 174 days since the seat became vacant, a board spokesperson said.
Evans said in a letter Tuesday that he will resign from office on Jan. 17, two business days before the council was expected to expel him amid findings of multiple ethics violations.
An investigation found that Evans violated D.C. Council ethics rules 11 times since 2014 and earned $400,000 from clients deemed "prohibited sources." A federal investigation is ongoing.
Mayor Muriel Bowser spoke publicly on Wednesday for the first time since Evans made his announcement.
"Obviously [it's] very sad that a public servant who had dedicated his career to improving the District made some very significant mistakes and he's reaping those consequences," she said. "But like most people, I'm ready to turn the page and focus on the business of the District of Columbia."
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It's possible that Evans could run to recapture his old seat.
Ward 2 covers a portion of downtown, Georgetown, Dupont Circle and Foggy Bottom. Go here to find out which ward you live in.
Evans, the longest serving elected official in the history of D.C. government with more than 28 years on the Council, still faces a federal investigation.
Stay with News4 for more details on this developing story.
