As Trayon White faces bribery charge, he continues re-election bid in Ward 8
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Trayon White leaves a courthouse on Sept. 12. Photo: Michael A. McCoy for The Washington Post via Getty Images
Voters in Ward 8 go to the polls in November amid a scandal surrounding Council member Trayon White, who's running for another term.
Why it matters: White's campaign has vowed he will stay in the race while he faces a bribery charge from federal prosecutors and an independent investigation from a special D.C. Council committee.
State of play: Before the bribery charge in August, White was widely expected to win re-election as the Democratic nominee.
- Unless he steps aside, he remains the favorite. An attempt to draft write-in candidates for the election quickly fizzled.
- Some potential contenders are more likely to pounce if he is removed from office and there is a special election.
Republican nominee Nate Derenge is the only name on the ballot challenging White in Ward 8.
- Since White's arrest, Derenge's mantra on social media: "Not a bribe-taker."
- At a recent forum, he was asked if his platform would "propel gentrification or slow it down." He responded: "My plan would increase homeownership," and said that he wants the city to sell public property to residents at a discount.
Meanwhile, White has not commented publicly about his court case. At a brief court appearance this month, the judge set another hearing for November. A trial may not begin until spring or summer 2025.
- Council members voted last week to authorize spending $400,000 for outside law firm Latham & Watkins to delve into ethics allegations surrounding White. The recreation affairs committee he chairs was also dissolved, weakening his power as a lawmaker.
What's ahead: Investigation findings are expected in mid-December, after which the council could go as far as voting to expel White from office.
Zoom out: Four other council members are up for re-election this year. Brooke Pinto (Ward 2), Janeese Lewis George (Ward 4) are running unopposed, and Robert White (at-large) and Christina Henderson (at-large) are running in a pick-two race.
- In Ward 7, the Democratic nominee, Wendell Felder, is widely favored to fill the seat of retiring Council member Vince Gray.
- A major ballot initiative also aims to bring ranked-choice voting and open primaries to independent voters.
Next Monday, the D.C. Board of Elections plans to begin sending mail ballots to all registered voters.
- Mail ballot drop boxes open on Oct. 11. Election Day is Nov. 5.
Editor's note: This story has been corrected to add that At-Large Council Member Christina Henderson is running for re-election this year; she is in a pick-two race with Robert White.