Trump era gives D.C.'s "shadow" reps new relevance
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Oye Owolewa, center, is D.C.'s shadow representative. Photo: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images
No one's tried harder than Oye Owolewa to make this shadow representative job a thing.
Why it matters: You might be thinking: Aren't those just D.C.'s fake senators and reps? In the age of Trump and the Free DC movement, the city's "shadow" members of Congress — voteless as they are — are gaining new currency as unapologetic cheerleaders for home rule.
State of play: Owolewa (oh-WOAH-lay-wah) is now trying to be the first to parlay the ceremonial perch into bona fide political office — one with a salary and real power.
- The 36-year-old is running for the at-large D.C. Council seat being vacated by veteran lawmaker Anita Bonds.
- He has a head start on a growing list of opponents, with over $200,000 cash on hand, according to his campaign.
- And today a coveted endorsement from the left: Council member Brianne Nadeau, who's retiring from her seat after representing neighborhoods including Columbia Heights and Adams Morgan.
"I have been so impressed by his dedication to community," Nadeau said in an endorsement video, shared first with Axios.
- "I'm really trying to rebuild D.C.'s middle class," Owolewa tells me, saying he wants to attract new employers to replace federal downsizing.
Zoom in: Born to Nigerian parents in Boston, Owolewa moved to D.C. after attending Northeastern University.
- The Southeast resident was Nadeau's pharmacist on U Street when she encouraged him to attend an ANC meeting. He Googled "ANC." When the first result was "African National Congress," Owolewa took great offense — until he found out she was referring to his local advisory neighborhood commission, where he won a post in 2018.
Between the lines: The ceremonial shadow roles — elected on citywide ballots — are mostly meant to advocate for statehood.
- But with Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton's increasing public absence, the shadow reps are diving into federal budget matters and becoming louder voices for hometown D.C.
- Owolewa's leaned into hosting community events, such as clinics for formerly incarcerated people.
The intrigue: As it happens, Owolewa got more votes than Norton last election, though no one's suggesting that translates to a real base.
- The trick for Owolewa will be convincing voters about "his qualifications beyond having been a cheerleader for voting rights," says Chuck Thies, a local political consultant.
What's ahead: The field for Bonds' seat is growing. She just endorsed her former staffer Kevin Chavous for it.
- Former Education Board member Lisa Raymond also jumped in this week.
- Candace Tiana Nelson, a former neighborhood commissioner in the upper 16th Street area, was already campaigning for the seat and has the second most money raised.
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