Breakfast links: Political shake-up
Beyer wins in the 8th
Don Beyer, a former lieutenant governor of Virginia, won the Democratic primary to succeed retiring Rep. Jim Moran in the 8th Congressional district. Beyer got 45% out of seven candidates, though turnout was low. (Post)
Cantor’s swan song
In a stunning upset, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor lost his bid for renomination in the GOP primary for Virginia’s 7th district. Voters in the southern Virginia district felt he wasn’t conservative enough. (NYT) … Cantor was an implacable foe of bicycle programs (and much more); do we know the views of nominee David Brat?
Carol Schwartz returns
Former Republican DC councilmember Carol Schwartz is shaking up the mayoral race by declaring her candidacy as an independent. But is she just trying to help Muriel Bowser and split David Catania’s voters? (WAMU)
Bowser would keep Henderson
Muriel Bowser said last night she would keep Kaya Henderson as DC schools chancellor if elected mayor. Previously, she’d been unwilling to promise one way or the other. (Post)
When will Maryland Avenue get safer?
A DC head librarian was badly injured when a cab driver hit her in an intersection on Maryland Avenue on Capitol Hill. Residents say the area is dangerous and DDOT is taking too long to fix it. (WAMU)
Four alternatives for North-South streetcar
DDOT has narrowed the options to four for the north-south streetcar. All use Georgia Avenue, but vary below U Street and in Southwest. Some go toward Silver Spring. Will any of them get built? (City Paper)
Traffic? What traffic?
Developers say traffic in Tysons has improved, thanks to new HOT lanes and the removal of some traffic lights. But VDOT doesn’t agree. (Post)
CaBi helped bike businesses
Though some New York bike shops complain Citibike has cut into their business, research, plus experience in DC, suggests it’s good in the long run as a system draws people to bike more in general. In Georgetown, anyway, there are now more bike shops than before CaBi opened. (Post, Georgetown Metropolitan)
And…
Amtrak wants to upgrade its WiFi. (Railway Age) … The House rejected proposals to cut Amtrak’s funding. (TheHill) … The National Mall is getting new turf. (WAMU)