It’s almost the end of October and we have elections on our minds. This is not your regular Hill Buzz, and therefore it no longer bears the name. It was not going to be your regular Hill Buzz last week, but we kept writing and writing and we deleted and re-drafted and, well, it was a mess. So here is: Our Last-Minute and Very Neurotic guide to voting because this whole process makes us very nervous and worried. We want everyone to be happy but that can’t be. We agonized over choices that shouldn’t have been agonizable. And we didn’t even dip a toe into individual ANC races except, we suppose, for one. So here it is: A guide that we nervously hope you find useful somehow.
Recall Results
This election cycle has been very odd. Chief among those oddities was the failed attempt at recalling ANC commissioner Amber Gove. The vote, which happened from 1-5 p.m. on Sunday October 23 at a location within the single-member district (Maury ES) and one, puzzlingly, outside 6A entirely (the Northeast Library, in 6C), was decisive: Amber got to hold on to her seat and neighbors rejected the recall by a ratio of 3:1.
There are parts of the process with which we don’t always agree, and this is part of living in a democracy: Sometimes you win, and sometimes you lose. But when you would prefer to be completely unrepresented for two months rather than focusing your efforts on campaigning for a challenger to the incumbent, it’s hard to be empathetic–– especially when the point of the recall centered on neighbors feeling a lack of representation in the first place. Congratulations to Amber on beating her recall, and may the better candidate win the seat for ANC 6A04 fair and square during this election.
Initiative 82
On my mind especially is how delicate and stressful the whole Initiative 82 stuff is. On the one hand, doing away with tipped wages relieves a huge burden from restaurant workers’ shoulders, and it’s imperative that we move toward fair wages. On the other hand, the restaurant industry in our country is not designed this way. Due to the extremely slim profits a restaurant provides, enforcement of 82 may decimate our local restaurant industry–– specifically, the smaller businesses that can’t afford to pay their employees much above minimum wage, especially on slow nights. Perhaps this is the change that is needed ––along with the consequences–– to realize that the current restaurant industry needs our help and we’ve taken it for granted for too long. It’s also of dire importance to take a look at what, exactly, does a living wage mean, because $17 an hour is most definitely not it. A fair wage is of paramount importance to the health of our communities. But my heart hurts for small business owners, whose businesses may not be around a year from now. I dearly hope I am mistaken on that point.
Am I recommending you vote Yes on 82? Yes. I realize that this is something that places small business owners and the people of DC at odds. And I am also aware that fellow blogger Barred in DC advised against voting for 82. (His piece is very thoughtful and you should read it.) But having been through 77 and seeing how overwhelmingly it passed–– and then how disgusted the electorate was when the Council repealed 77 and how absolutely nothing changed about the restaurant industry for the better, this is an idea whose time has come. Tipped wages create toxicity, even as they create opportunities for people who pursue employment in fine dining, where higher tips can allow for more competitive wages. They also allow restaurants to stay open during times of higher uncertainty, but at what price? The pandemic already showed us how precarious, stressed-out, and utterly fragile the hospitality industry is. There needs to be a better structure in place, but depending on surcharges and generosity may not be the way to keep doing it– or at least not for all restaurants. I just dearly hope that, as 82 is implemented, we don’t have to say farewell to even more of our beloved establishments and brace for an onslaught of chain restaurants, which are the kind best equipped to handle paying minimum wage–– and not much more.
Councilmember At-Large
Perhaps the most nail-biting of the contests, then, is the At-Large seat. Two seats are up for re-election, a Democrat and an Independent. The only Democrat on the ballot is Anita Bonds, who did not endeavor to participate in most candidate forums this go-around. Perhaps after being in the seat since 2012, she doesn’t feel she needs to talk about her stances or to defend her record, which is not always clear. Her positions have sometimes hinted at her being out of touch. But Bonds has name recognition and she is the Democrat on the ballot– this is reason enough to help her coast to re-election.
Elissa Silverman is the Independent incumbent. She has impressed us with her knowledge and her verve since she first took her seat in 2014, and should get to keep her seat. We wish newcomer Graham McLaughlin the best of luck, as his desire to create community and his compassion are two things we need in politics. We would have voted for Kenyan McDuffie, but two things disheartened us immensely: his support of the Mayor in regards to OUC’s current leadership and his support of bringing the Commanders to the District– most likely turning RFK into a football stadium once again. Most of the At-Large candidates this year were impressive and were necessary voices, and it’s truly a pity that there is only room for two––but truly, for one.
School Board of Education, Ward 6
Finally, the race for SBOE, or School Board of Education, is a relatively easy choice for me, a public school parent: Joshua Wiley. He is the son of an educator and has been in the classroom in probably one of the most challenging settings for a teacher, middle school. He then moved to public school administration. We believe firmly in teachers who advocate for other teachers and especially public school teachers who want to represent and fight for their peers. It’s important to understand that particular struggle and to be familiar with it, because public schools are important. They are places of equanimity and learning and must remain strong.
The Rest of the Ballot
Finally, the votes for Mayor and Council Chair were set in stone during the Primary. DC is a heavily Democratic-leaning city, and no challenger of another party could truly rise to the point of unseating the leading Democrat during the general election. The votes, then, go to Mayor Bowser and to Chairman Mendelson. Another vote that is more ceremonial than anything is for Delegate to Congress. Eleanor Holmes Norton has been ably doing her job since 1991 and she will continue on her seat for another two years. [Ed: You can also throw away your vote by writing in Tim Krepp here. –RSP] So it goes with Shadow Representative Oye Owolewa.
Charles Allen, our Ward councilmember, is running unopposed. We find him to be personable, reliable, kind and caring. His staff endeavors to help people in all areas of the Ward. There is a small but vociferous contingent of neighbors that feels Allen’s job in the Judiciary and Public Safety committee is lackluster. And yet, somehow, no one challenged Allen for his seat ––neither in the primary, nor now in the general election. We wonder why.
As for Attorney General, Brian Schwalb is running unopposed. He was great in the primaries as well, so it’s okay. You don’t have to overthink it.
If you’re still here, thanks for sticking it out! Would love to know if you found this helpful or if you would rather not hear about from us on politics.