Like any other major party candidate, Artee Milligan has campaign signs posted throughout the District and a Web site touting his platform. When he gets the opportunity, Milligan makes noise, slamming the D.C. government hierarchy for leaving low-income residents behind as it lures more wealth to downtown.

But as a virtually unknown Democrat battling in the crowded D.C. mayor’s race, Milligan, 50, doesn’t get the opportunity to broadcast his opinions often. He’s been invited to only a handful of forums, and is generally ignored by the media.