DC Mayor 2018

[Progressive]

DC loves its one-termers...

[Attorney General, LGC Speaker, and Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

President TRUMP will rig the election for her. He loves the blacks, you see.

[Nutmeg]

Bowser hasn't really done anything to alienate a key constituency (yet). I haven't seen any approvals on her, but I'd suspect there are few who love or hate her; the average view of her likely is slightly above neutral.

[🦀🎂🦀🎂]

Isn't the DC metro in shambles atm?

[Nutmeg]

Isn't the DC metro in shambles atm?

The Metro is not controlled by D.C.'s local government.

[Nutmeg]

Now that Mayor Bowser's predecessor, Vince Grey, is back on the Council representing Ward 7, in addition to losing her ally LaRuby May in Ward 8, it will be interesting to see whether she continues to get her way with the Council over the next 2 years.

[Gass3268]

Isn't the DC metro in shambles atm?

The Metro is not controlled by D.C.'s local government.

This is true, but to answer the question as someone who has to take the Metro every work day, yes.

[Nutmeg]

Isn't the DC metro in shambles atm?

The Metro is not controlled by D.C.'s local government.

This is true, but to answer the question as someone who has to take the Metro every work day, yes.

What I meant with regard to politics is that I don't think D.C. voters are going to blame Bowser for Metro's follies, though.

[Deblano]

She's a Democrat, so very likely yes.

I don't think D.C. has ever had any non-Democratic mayors (You do have former Rockefeller Republicans running as independent candidates at times against the Democrats, like we saw in 2014)

[The Other Castro]

Something something Republicans need someone named Mario etc etc.

[Nutmeg]

She's a Democrat, so very likely yes.

The last 2 mayors before her were defeated in the primary.

[NeverAgain]

Isn't the DC metro in shambles atm?

Well, yes and no. The Metro is currently on the "SafeTrack" Program, which means that delays are EXTREMELY prevalent. It, of course, needs to be done due to the fact that everyone has ignored the system's need for repairs for decades. The Metro was seen as a shining accomplishment early, due to it's ability to quickly connect 3 jurisdictions (MD, DC, and VA) together. But due to ignorance these problems are coming up now.

The Metro "President" is asking for about $1B over the next three years to finish repairs, but since the Metro is the only major metropolitan metro to have zero dedicated funding, no one can promise the funds required for it. But there are many projects, like the Purple Line (a new highspeed rail to go between all 6 routes, and fully connect them) or a 2nd tunnel under the Potomac to be able to allow many in the VA suburbs (like myself) to more efficiently and rapidly get downtown with fewer delays.

There is also the issue that ridership is going down significantly due to these repairs. Which means that fares will need to go up (including parking and busing, which account for a large part of Metro funding), which will create a vicious cycle, if continued.

The biggest problem, that I see, is the fact that since the metro covers three jurisdictions and therefore requires three executives, Gov. McAuliffe, Gov. Hogan, and Mayor Bowser before anything (like a dedicated revenue stream, for example a 1 cent sales tax on the areas that are covered by the Metro would pay for it) can be done. As each proposal must get approval from Republicans, Hogan in MD, and the CoD in VA, there is little that can be done to stop the fare increases needed to pay for the Metro.

BUT! There are some common sense proposals that could be taken to help pay for the Metro, for example creating pay-toilets (as the Metro has ZERO Bathrooms) or allowing businesses to come in and sell food and drink (but eating and drinking banned, currently, due to the idea that it'll create a mess and/or create a rat problem, but that is ridiculous as #1 people are ALLOWED to bring food and drink on, even have food in their mouth on the train, but it is banned to swallow. #2 the rat problem is non-existent in almost all metros with eating and drinking allowed, Pizza Rat aside). The proposal would bring in tens of millions annually, if done correctly.

TL;DR: Metro is in some troubles, due to the fact that it is in 3 jurisdictions, but can be fixed with a couple bipartisan proposals. This isn't Mayor Bowser's fault, and it will have likely little impact on her re-election, if she chooses to run again. I hope she does, so that she can continue to be an advocate for Metro reform, along with the Metro President.

TL;DR the TL;DR: Metro mediocre, not Bowser fault. She should run.

Hope that helps!

[JoshPA]

a non democrat did win two ward last election that a first maybe a non democratic mayor in dc one day.

[Sumner 1868]

Marion Barry remains the gold standard.

[Frodo]

She's a Democrat, so very likely yes.

I don't think D.C. has ever had any non-Democratic mayors (You do have former Rockefeller Republicans running as independent candidates at times against the Democrats, like we saw in 2014)

In DC, the primary is the real election.

[PMHub]

Something something Republicans need someone named Mario etc etc.

Thank you for the obligatory Mario joke

[Gass3268]

Marion Barry remains the gold standard.

Mayor for Life!

[Tintrlvr]

Marion Barry remains the gold standard.

Mayor for Life!

And apparently after death as well.

Marion Berry should move to DC and run for mayor. He'd win just from the sheer voter confusion.

[Nutmeg]

Bowser is unopposed by any serious challengers this year. After 3 extremely contentious elections in a row, this is a bit surprising to me. The at-large and a few of the ward races for council will be interesting, but I thought for sure someone like former Mayor Vince Gray or Attorney General Karl Racine would get into the race.

[President Punxsutawney Phil]

Bowser is unopposed by any serious challengers this year. After 3 extremely contentious elections in a row, this is a bit surprising to me. The at-large and a few of the ward races for council will be interesting, but I thought for sure someone like former Mayor Vince Gray or Attorney General Karl Racine would get into the race.

I briefly read this post as somehow having to do with Super Mario. Lol.

[Dr. MB]

This looks like the first non-competitive election (including primaries) since 1986. I wonder if the DC GOP will even nominate a candidate.

[Tintrlvr]

This looks like the first non-competitive election (including primaries) since 1986. I wonder if the DC GOP will even nominate a candidate.

They didn't run anyone in 2010 or 2014 so seems unlikely the Republicans would have a candidate this time.

[Progressive Pessimist]

She wins in a landslide right after she abducts the Princess and battles a plumber.

[Nutmeg]

This looks like the first non-competitive election (including primaries) since 1986. I wonder if the DC GOP will even nominate a candidate.

They didn't run anyone in 2010 or 2014 so seems unlikely the Republicans would have a candidate this time.

D.C. Republicans already have stated that they won't be running a candidate this year. David Catania in 2014, as a Republican-turned-Independent, did serve a certain role in giving a spirited challenge.

[MichaelRbn]

The claim that two non-Democrats won ward council seats is not correct.  Democrats hold all eight wards and the two at large seats they are eligible for.