Four-term councilwoman is first incumbent to lose in the District since 2004
D.C. Councilwoman Carol Schwartz lost her Republican primary fight Tuesday to a well-funded 33-year-old political upstart who successfully framed the long-time, at-large incumbent as a Democrat in GOP clothing.
Patrick Mara foiled Schwartz’s try for a fifth term with the support of big business, the help of politically connected GOP leaders and the drive to knock on more than 8,000 Republican doors. Based on preliminary results from 134 of 143 precincts, Mara won 45 percent of the vote to Schwartz’s 36 percent.
There were some questions about the early totals, however, including whether or not the unusually high number of votes for write-in candidates — some 19 percent of all the votes counted — was accurate.
Mara said his “tireless work” and his platform to improve schools, lower taxes and return fiscal responsibility to the government earned him a victory. He thanked Schwartz for her years of service.
“We are looking forward to building on this victory in November,” Mara said.
Schwartz’s defeat is the first for an incumbent since 2004.
“I think we’ve fought the good fight,” she said from her U Street NW campaign headquarters. “We have had a wonderful run. We didn’t want to go out this way, but I’m proud of what I’ve done.”
The council’s Democratic incumbents all won their races handily. Only 13 percent of registered Democrats turned out to the polls, and 17 percent of registered Republicans.
» Ward 2 Councilman Jack Evans defeated activist Cary Silverman. Both were confident going into the primary, but Evans, who raised more than $600,000, clearly had the advantage. Silverman sought to frame the incumbent as out of touch with ward issues and too tight with developers. Evans will face Republican Christina Erland Culver in November.
» Ward 4 Councilwoman Muriel Bowser defeated Paul Montague, Malik Mendenhall-Johnson and Baruti Jahi.
» Ward 7 Councilwoman Yvette Alexander dispatched Villareal Johnson, John Campbell and Robin Marlin.
» Ward 8 Councilman Marion Barry bested Sandra Seegers, Charles Wilson, Howard Brown and Ahmad Jones.
» At-large Councilman Kwame Brown was unopposed.
Evans, Bowser, Alexander and Barry are virtually assured victory in November, given the Democrats’ overwhelming advantage in registered voters. But Brown will have to work for a win, and Mara faces an even tougher contest.
Voters in the general election will choose among Mara, Kwame Brown, independents Michael Brown and Dee Hunter, and Statehood Green David Schwartzman for the two open at-large council seats, only one of which is guaranteed to a minority-party candidate.
Given the dearth of registered Republicans in Washington — fewer than 30,000 — Mara, a government relations manager, will have to broaden his appeal beyond party lines to earn a council seat. Brown and Hunter both have a following and are former Democrats.
Schwartz said she was beaten by “special interests” and a “low-brow, nasty, repugnant” smear campaign.
The incumbent faced other challenges. She began her candidacy very late. Her support of paid sick leave legislation, and her vote against Mayor Adrian Fenty’s school takeover, lost her the backing of the D.C. Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Washington Board of Trade. And her campaign organization remained the same even as it became clear the race with Mara would be close.
Mara, meanwhile, raised $142,000 and sent two dozen mailings to the city’s 29,000 registered Republicans, hitting Schwartz as a Republican-in-name-only on taxes, spending and other issues.
“She doesn’t vote Republican most of the time, and many of her staff are Democrats,” said Malcom Ross, who voted for Mara at Hardy Recreation Center in Georgetown. “Why didn’t she go to the convention as a Republican delegate? Mara did.”
Schwartz said she has no intention of launching a write-in campaign.
Sarah Raymond contributed to this article.
