Primary election day arrives in the District

It's primary election day in D.C., Maryland and six other states. But the local race getting the most attention is the District's race for mayor.

1 Comment

By the end of Tuesday, we could know if incumbent mayor Adrian Fenty will get four more years or if Vincent Gray will take over.

Polls open Tuesday at 7 a.m., but many voters have already cast their ballots during early voting. Election officials say that more than 22,000 people had voted as of poll close on Sunday, AP reports.

As the clock ticks down, the top candidates for D.C. mayor have been pounding the pavement across D.C., tireless in their efforts to jockey for votes.

"The most important decision to be made is who is the best person that's equipped to lead this city for the next fours years in the challenges we face around education, around jobs, around housing. I think I'm the best person to do that," said candidate Vincent Gray.

Gray has steadily been ahead in recent polls. Some supporters say they think it comes to the fact that he's a likable guy.

"I think he is more of a people person. He has a genuine love for the city he just exudes that," a Gray supporter said.

Fenty supporters say even though he's considers the underdog, they're confident he'll pull ahead with a big voter turnout Tuesday.

"We want him to win and we're going to see to it he does win," said a Fenty supporter.

Mayor Fenty say's he's confident he'll prevail in the end, based on what's brought to the city over the last four years.

"If there are two things I know about it's a long campaign and ... endurance and leaning at the tape," Fenty said.

Accusations that both candidates' campaigns lured voters with money incentives have run rampant, but on Tuesday, Fenty and Gray are asking voters to focus on who's the most qualified.

According to the Associated Press, election officials are estimating turnout for the primary will be about 55 percent. That's much higher than the 34 percent turnout in 2006.

Beside the mayor's race, D.C. voters will also choose candidates to run for Council Chair, an At-large Council seat and Council seats in Wards 1, 3, 5 and 6.

Voters have until 8 p.m. to get to the polls.

 

 

1 Comment