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I believe democracy and our city is best served when elections feature opponents, and I appreciate Mrs. Greig's involvement in our democratic process until this morning. Her candidacy forced me to evaluate who to support in this race more than if no choice had been provided.

However, in the end I decided to support the incumbent candidate, Jack Evans, because of these reasons:
- Residents of my single member district with whom I spoke were either in favor of the candidate or indifferent. Most who were aware of her candidacy, but felt she had not yet presented a clear alternative to Evans.
- The one time I spoke with Greig she was incredibly friendly, positive and personable, but did not overly impress me with an issue near and dear to the hearts of many of my residents (parking).
- Her website did not mention any LGBT issues or platform. As an ANC commissioner in Logan Circle, I represent a very large LGBT community and her lack of published platform on these issues was pointed out to me several times by residents.
- Greig labeled a potential donor as a "homosexual." No matter her opinion of gay people, or involvement in LGBT issues, such labeling appears insensitive and ignorant, and it stands in stark contrast to the years of pro-LGBT work the incumbent candidate has to rely on.
- Greig's plans for what she would do are far from detailed or concrete. I think most citizens are in favor of balanced budgets, efficient government and ethical elected officials, but as my seventh grade math teacher always said, "Don't come to me with a problem. Come to me with a solution."
- The Greig campaign's website reinforced the feeling she may not be completely serious about running. The link to follow the campaign on Twitter never worked. The "calendar" tab never had anything listed. A website may not win or lose an election, but it can reinforce perceived strengths and weaknesses. Greig's campaign site, unfortunately, reinforced the negatives.

All told, I was pleased Jack Evans had an opponent, but last week I made the decision to support him because there was little evidence to me, and to my residents, that his opponent would be a better alternative.

I have no doubt Mrs. Greig is bright, hard working and a positive member of our community. I just don't think, right now, she would have made a better Ward 2 councilperson.

My hope is that instead of focusing on what others did to prevent her campaign from succeeding, Mrs. Greig focus on what she can do better next time if she chooses to run again, and what she can do to better herself for a possible future run.

- Nick Barron
ANC 2F02 Commissioner
www.nickbarron.co

by Nick Barron, ANC 2F02 Commissioner on Nov 9, 2011 10:25 am • link • report