Marion Barry to Endorse Vincent Gray in Mayoral Primary

There is a big shadow of scandal over city politics, but among the hundreds of early voters now casting ballots in the lead-up to the April 1 primary, many say they're not discouraged by scandal.

"Everybody should have their day in court before we begin to convict people," one voter said.

On Wednesday, Mayor Vincent Gray will get a break from the talk of scandal when he receives an endorsement from former Mayor Marion Barry, who -- despite a series of health problems in recent months -- has campaigned for Gray.

Barry, 78, wrote in a series of Twitter messages over the weekend that "elections come and go & it gets spirited" and that he doesn't hold grudges.

"For better or worse, WE should run our city," Barry tweeted. "NOT the Feds or outsiders. WE should learn to handle the good and the bad OURSELVES."

He also said Gray took him out to dinner for the first time since his recent health struggles.

On Tuesday, federal prosecutors declined to comment on complaints by Gray's lawyer a day earlier that "they're out to get" Gray in the wake of D.C. businessman Jeffrey Thompson's plea deal. Thompson has told prosecutors that Gray knew about the more than $650,000 in illegal funding funneled to the mayor's 2010 campaign.

Gray's lawyer said Monday that Gray would go to trial to prove his innocence if necessary.

Contact Us