Well, Silverman is trying to bounce Settles and Zuckerberg from the ballot. Assuming she is successful, it looks like regular voters in this process will need to choose between Silverman and Frumin.

Any chance either gets out of the race to ensure there isn't a split electorate paving the way for Mara, Brown or Bonds?

If not, what is the best course to achieve the goal of a good At-Large Councilmember representing voters in the 2013 special election?

by William on Feb 7, 2013 12:10 pm • link • report

Silverman has every right to challenge signatures. I just hope it doesn't blow up in her face.

If I had to choose between Silverman and Frumin, my bet is on the guy. I've liked not just his answers but the manner in which he chose to convey his message..which I believe appeals to a much larger swath of the city than Silverman and Mara's approach. Both of them are too focused on fighting ghost wars and I just don't feel comfortable w/that sort of energy in an already-hurting Council. Isn't Catania and Barry enough?

It will be interesting to see the city-wide election results and how they may be like or differ from this polling.

BTW, hasn't Frumin placed first in each subsequent poll?

by HogWash on Feb 7, 2013 12:47 pm • link • report

If they can get Settles and Zuckerberg bounced, this becomes an interesting five-way heat. I certainly see Bonds and Brown splitting that vote, and then Silverman and Frumin splitting the progressive vote. Mara is certainly a wild card, he would take virtually no votes from Brown and Bonds, but I am not certain how many he takes from Silverman or Frumin either. I think a large % of his votes comes from the few republicans in this city who will turn out in huge numbers, who would otherwise skip this one.

I think if Silverman or Frumin could convince their counterpart to drop, they would have this thing in the bag.

by Kyle-W on Feb 7, 2013 1:28 pm • link • report

I think if Silverman or Frumin could convince their counterpart to drop, they would have this thing in the bag.

That's only if they have enough city-wide appeal to win. Not sure if either of them do. Then the question begs, why would the other ever consider dropping out when they both seem to have a groundswell of support w/in this target audience? If they had to make a decision, Frumin should remain and Elissa drops out and then he could grab what's left of her votes.

I agree that Mara doesn't hurt Brown nor Bonds. Gotta blame the progressives who supported his past shenanigans.

by HogWash on Feb 7, 2013 1:36 pm • link • report

... And i'm free to vote against Silverman specifically because she wants to bounce other candidates from the ballot. Maybe her strategy is premised on helping Frumin in a difficult race where she has two chances -- slim and nil???

by Tom M on Feb 7, 2013 1:54 pm • link • report

@Tom M, challenging your opponents ballot signatures is Election Politics 101. If opponents don't do it, nobody will. It's not really as negative a thing as it might sound. If you work hard to get legitimate signatures and you suspect that others cut corners, you should challenge them. You'd be surprised how many signatures get invalidated.

by Ward 1 Guy on Feb 7, 2013 2:28 pm • link • report

@Ward 1 Guy

There is a difference between systemic fraud and voters who moved, but the change of address hasn't been updated in the woeful DC system. The former should be challenged, the latter, not so much.

by William on Feb 7, 2013 2:35 pm • link • report

Hey Tom, I think you have every right to vote against a candidate for whatever reason you choose...since it is YOUR vote.

FWIW, I imagine people wouldn't necessarily agree w/my decision to not support her because of her lobbying background and need to prove she's some sort of standout. We all choose our reasons...

by HogWash on Feb 7, 2013 2:47 pm • link • report

@ Ward 1 Guy. I'm cutting a check now for both of her opponents. It may be politics 101, but that doesn't make the stink smell nice.

by Tom M on Feb 7, 2013 3:06 pm • link • report

I'm liking Frumin and Settles so far. I was especially happy to see Settles mention the Reservation 13 lot in Hill East as a place where the city should develop.

by I. Rex on Feb 7, 2013 3:13 pm • link • report

Any news source with more information about who challenged whose signatures?

by MLD on Feb 7, 2013 3:17 pm • link • report

I remember looking it up and the last special elections had really low turnout, like 10 (2010 at large) and 17% (2011 ward 5). Any thoughts on what can be done to increase the turnout? I feel like winning is essentially going to be down to whoever can motivate their base most effectively, which isn't necessarily how I'd like to see this decided.

by Alan B. on Feb 7, 2013 3:26 pm • link • report

@MLD, according to Chuck Thies, Silverman challenged the signatures....

http://www.nbcwashington.com/blogs/first-read-dmv/Special-Election-in-DC-Heats-Up-189750401.html

by HogWash on Feb 7, 2013 3:47 pm • link • report

@Alan B

I tend to think this is what is going to swing the election. If one of the progressive candidates can get 20% turnout in W2 and W3, that means they win.

by Kyle-W on Feb 7, 2013 4:37 pm • link • report

It would also be nice to have some polling so we have some sort of an idea about who has a chance and who doesn't.

by Chatham on Feb 7, 2013 8:41 pm • link • report

Silverman is playing dirty politics. Why would anyone trust her to act in the best interest of DC residents if this is how she is behaving from the start line? Don't we want to eliminate politicians, like her, who put their energy toward fighting instead of finding solutions?

by anonymous1 on Feb 9, 2013 10:05 pm • link • report

I'm note sure that the statement by anonymous1 above actually says anything. It's more a string of words than a coherent thought.

by Geoffrey Hatchard on Feb 12, 2013 4:29 pm • link • report