Could Jack Evans be the next mayor? Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
He’s the longest-serving councillor, its most prolific fundraiser, represents the District’s most affluent areas, is a darling of the business community, and has a relatively* clean image ethically—in short, Jack Evans seems like he’d have it made in a citywide bid for mayor. Except that he’s got one minor electoral flaw: He’s white.
Nevertheless, with DC Mayor Vince Gray on the ropes, the Ward 2 councillor sees a narrow window that might just allow him to sneak through to the Promised Land and, as the Chocolate City becomes ever less chocolate, deliver the first white mayor to the Wilson Building since Home Rule. It would require an alignment of the fates in the following manner:
His best (and probably only) path to victory is a special election, which is a free-for-all not tied to party affiliation. Independents and Republicans could vote along with the huge Democratic majority, giving Evans a wider pool from which to draw votes.
Gray would have to resign before the end of his term. The DC Board of Elections would declare a vacancy, and the special election must be held 114 days later. Evans would do best if the special election were not held this November, when African-American voters are expected to turn out to vote for Barack Obama. Evans benefits from a low turnout. Gray would have to vacate his office later rather than sooner, to put the special election out of the November 6 range.
The field would have to be crowded with at least four other candidates. At the moment they might be council members Muriel Bowser, Michael Brown, Vincent Orange, and Tommy Wells. Bowser, Brown, and Orange would have to split up the African-American vote. Evans would have to win enough white votes from Wells. He would have to beat Wells handily in Wards 2 and 3—in precincts west of Rock Creek Park—and bring in African-American voters in Wards 4, 5, and 7.
Evans can count on raising the most cash. With 21 years, he’s the longest-serving member on the council. He’s chaired the Finance and Revenue Committee for years and has deep ties in the business and development sectors.
He would need three key endorsements: former mayors Anthony Williams and Adrian Fenty, and the Washington Post. He can hardly count on any of the three, but they are gettable.
His platform of continued economic growth would have to trump the voters’ disgust with the current round of corruption.
He would have to tap into the 10,000 new residents, many of whom are disinterested and not connected to city politics.
Perhaps most important, the voters must see him as a viable candidate from the start. He would have to score high in early polls. In order to do that he would have to capture many of the city’s 28,000 Republicans and plenty of independents.
Probable? No. Possible? Sure.
*This post has been updated from a previous version.
Could Jack Evans Be the Next Mayor?
What it would take for DC’s longest-serving councillor to have a shot at the office.
He’s the longest-serving councillor, its most prolific fundraiser, represents the District’s most affluent areas, is a darling of the business community, and has a relatively* clean image ethically—in short, Jack Evans seems like he’d have it made in a citywide bid for mayor. Except that he’s got one minor electoral flaw: He’s white.
Nevertheless, with DC Mayor Vince Gray on the ropes, the Ward 2 councillor sees a narrow window that might just allow him to sneak through to the Promised Land and, as the Chocolate City becomes ever less chocolate, deliver the first white mayor to the Wilson Building since Home Rule. It would require an alignment of the fates in the following manner:
His best (and probably only) path to victory is a special election, which is a free-for-all not tied to party affiliation. Independents and Republicans could vote along with the huge Democratic majority, giving Evans a wider pool from which to draw votes.
Gray would have to resign before the end of his term. The DC Board of Elections would declare a vacancy, and the special election must be held 114 days later. Evans would do best if the special election were not held this November, when African-American voters are expected to turn out to vote for Barack Obama. Evans benefits from a low turnout. Gray would have to vacate his office later rather than sooner, to put the special election out of the November 6 range.
The field would have to be crowded with at least four other candidates. At the moment they might be council members Muriel Bowser, Michael Brown, Vincent Orange, and Tommy Wells. Bowser, Brown, and Orange would have to split up the African-American vote. Evans would have to win enough white votes from Wells. He would have to beat Wells handily in Wards 2 and 3—in precincts west of Rock Creek Park—and bring in African-American voters in Wards 4, 5, and 7.
Evans can count on raising the most cash. With 21 years, he’s the longest-serving member on the council. He’s chaired the Finance and Revenue Committee for years and has deep ties in the business and development sectors.
He would need three key endorsements: former mayors Anthony Williams and Adrian Fenty, and the Washington Post. He can hardly count on any of the three, but they are gettable.
His platform of continued economic growth would have to trump the voters’ disgust with the current round of corruption.
He would have to tap into the 10,000 new residents, many of whom are disinterested and not connected to city politics.
Perhaps most important, the voters must see him as a viable candidate from the start. He would have to score high in early polls. In order to do that he would have to capture many of the city’s 28,000 Republicans and plenty of independents.
Probable? No. Possible? Sure.
*This post has been updated from a previous version.
Most Popular in News & Politics
See a Spotted Lanternfly? Here’s What to Do.
Meet DC’s 2025 Tech Titans
Patel Dined at Rao’s After Kirk Shooting, Nonviolent Offenses Led to Most Arrests During Trump’s DC Crackdown, and You Should Try These Gougères
The “MAGA Former Dancer” Named to a Top Job at the Kennedy Center Inherits a Troubled Program
Trump Travels One Block From White House, Declares DC Crime-Free; Barron Trump Moves to Town; and GOP Begins Siege of Home Rule
Washingtonian Magazine
September Issue: Style Setters
View IssueSubscribe
Follow Us on Social
Follow Us on Social
Related
Why a Lost DC Novel Is Getting New Attention
These Confusing Bands Aren’t Actually From DC
Fiona Apple Wrote a Song About This Maryland Court-Watching Effort
The Confusing Dispute Over the Future of the Anacostia Playhouse
More from News & Politics
Administration Steps Up War on Comedians, Car Exhibition on the Mall Canceled After Tragedy, and Ted Leonsis Wants to Buy D.C. United
Why a Lost DC Novel Is Getting New Attention
Bondi Irks Conservatives With Plan to Limit “Hate Speech,” DC Council Returns to Office, and Chipotle Wants Some Money Back
GOP Candidate Quits Virginia Race After Losing Federal Contracting Job, Trump Plans Crackdown on Left Following Kirk’s Death, and Theatre Week Starts Thursday
5 Things to Know About “Severance” Star Tramell Tillman
See a Spotted Lanternfly? Here’s What to Do.
Patel Dined at Rao’s After Kirk Shooting, Nonviolent Offenses Led to Most Arrests During Trump’s DC Crackdown, and You Should Try These Gougères
How a DC Area Wetlands Restoration Project Could Help Clean Up the Anacostia River