Two of the D.C. Council’s most senior members want the city’s likely next chairman to know he’ll have to work with them and the rest of the council as he determines council committee make-up and leadership.
Kwame Brown, who is widely expected to win the council chairman’s seat in Tuesday’s election, told The Washington Examiner that he’s looking at “all the the possibilities” for committee assignments. Councilmembers and political obeservors agree that means all options are on the table.
But while Brown has the power to rewrite the committee blueprint, he needs to get the final plans through the council — and that means getting at least seven votes.
At-large Councilman Phil Mendelson made sure Brown was aware of the need to build consensus, but telling The Examiner:
“He doesn’t have the ultimate authority, though. If he doesn’t get consensus, he has nothing.”
The council’s most senior member, Ward 2 Councilman Jack Evans also sent Brown a message via The Examiner: “[Committee assignments have] always been based on seniority.”
They both want to keep their committees. Only time will tell if Brown was listening.
