District lawyer and former mayoral hopeful Michael Brown will formally announce Thursday his run for the Ward 4 D.C. Council seat vacated by Mayor Adrian Fenty, officially kick-starting what already appears to be a very crowded campaign for this spring’s special election.
As of Monday, 12 people had picked up nominating petitions for the Ward 4 seat, according to the District Board of Elections and Ethics. Eighteen people had picked up such petitions for the Ward 7 seat vacated by Council Chairman Vincent Gray.
One person has filed for the District 2 Board of Education seat vacated by Deputy Mayor for Education Victor Reinoso.
To have their council candidacies considered valid, petitioners must get 500 signatures from registered voters in their wards. People seeking election to the School Board must have 200 signatures. Petitions must be returned by Feb. 21.
Brown, who will announce his campaign in Takoma Park, is one of several people who have publicly stated a desire to run for the Ward 4 seat.
Brown, who is running on a platform of economic development and greater constituent services, said he would oppose Fenty’s school takeover legislation if given a chance to vote on it.
“Until we give [students] more exposure on career opportunities, it doesn’t matter who runs the schools or how pretty the schools are,” Brown said.
Meanwhile, Fenty has all but endorsed Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner Muriel Bowser for his old seat. Bowser did not return a phone call Monday.
Democrat T.A. Uqdah, who ran a failed bid as an Independent for the Ward 4 seat in 1992, said Monday he has 400 signatures and plans to collect 3,000 by the filing deadline.
Uqdah said he’s unsure if he will publicly announce his campaign, adding that while Brown announces his, he “might be out in the street, shaking hands.”
The special election is scheduled for May 1.
