Voters in the District’s April 1 Democratic primary won’t get to make a choice for attorney general, a DC Superior Court judge ruled today, effectivily killing defense lawyer Paul Zukerberg’s chances at becoming the city’s first elected AG this year.
Zukerberg had sued the city over a law that pushed the attorney general election back to 2018, then filed as a candidate himself. He had a last-ditch hearing Thursday on his motion to remain on 2014’s ballots, even as the DC Board of Elections faced a deadline today to print them.
Zukerberg’s attorney, Gary Thompson, told Judge Laura A. Cordero that he would be “irreparably harmed” as a candidate and citizen if the election was not held in 2014 under an amendment to the city’s charter adopted four years ago.
Cordero seemed skeptical at yesterday’s hearing, and confirmed it in her ruling today.
“Plaintiff has not ‘clearly demonstrated,’ much less made a ‘strong showing’ that he will be in danger of suffering irreparable harm if the Attorney General election is not held in 2014,” she wrote.
Thompson said yesterday he might appeal an unfavorable decision, but with the Board of Elections sending ballots to the printer this afternoon, Zukerberg’s last, best chance is now a bill that the Council will review Monday that would put the AG race on the general election ballot in November. But having already kicked the election to 2018, the Council is unlikely to put it back on this year’s calendar.
Benjamin Freed joined Washingtonian in August 2013 and covers politics, business, and media. He was previously the editor of DCist and has also written for Washington City Paper, the New York Times, the New Republic, Slate, and BuzzFeed. He lives in Adams Morgan.
No Attorney General Election for DC in April
Judge rules against the lawyer who was trying to keep the race on the ballot and run for the job himself.
Voters in the District’s April 1 Democratic primary won’t get to make a choice for attorney general, a DC Superior Court judge ruled today, effectivily killing defense lawyer Paul Zukerberg’s chances at becoming the city’s first elected AG this year.
Zukerberg had sued the city over a law that pushed the attorney general election back to 2018, then filed as a candidate himself. He had a last-ditch hearing Thursday on his motion to remain on 2014’s ballots, even as the DC Board of Elections faced a deadline today to print them.
Zukerberg’s attorney, Gary Thompson, told Judge Laura A. Cordero that he would be “irreparably harmed” as a candidate and citizen if the election was not held in 2014 under an amendment to the city’s charter adopted four years ago.
Cordero seemed skeptical at yesterday’s hearing, and confirmed it in her ruling today.
“Plaintiff has not ‘clearly demonstrated,’ much less made a ‘strong showing’ that he will be in danger of suffering irreparable harm if the Attorney General election is not held in 2014,” she wrote.
Thompson said yesterday he might appeal an unfavorable decision, but with the Board of Elections sending ballots to the printer this afternoon, Zukerberg’s last, best chance is now a bill that the Council will review Monday that would put the AG race on the general election ballot in November. But having already kicked the election to 2018, the Council is unlikely to put it back on this year’s calendar.
Benjamin Freed joined Washingtonian in August 2013 and covers politics, business, and media. He was previously the editor of DCist and has also written for Washington City Paper, the New York Times, the New Republic, Slate, and BuzzFeed. He lives in Adams Morgan.
Most Popular in News & Politics
Meet DC’s 2025 Tech Titans
The “MAGA Former Dancer” Named to a Top Job at the Kennedy Center Inherits a Troubled Program
White House Seriously Asks People to Believe Trump’s Letter to Epstein Is Fake, Oliver North and Fawn Hall Got Married, and It’s Time to Plan Your Apple-Picking Excursion
Trump Travels One Block From White House, Declares DC Crime-Free; Barron Trump Moves to Town; and GOP Begins Siege of Home Rule
See a Spotted Lanternfly? Here’s What to Do.
Washingtonian Magazine
September Issue: Style Setters
View IssueSubscribe
Follow Us on Social
Follow Us on Social
Related
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
Protecting Our Drinking Water Keeps Him Up at Night
More from News & Politics
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
Pressure Grows on FBI Leadership as Search for Kirk’s Killer Continues, Kennedy Center Fires More Staffers, and Spotted Lanternflies Are Everywhere
What Is Free DC?
Manhunt for Charlie Kirk Shooter Continues, Britain Fires US Ambassador Over Epstein Connections, and Sandwich Guy Will Get a Jury Trial
Can Two Guys Ride a Rickshaw over the Himalayas? It Turns Out They Can.