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Mendelson is a steady force, evidenced by his long track record of legislative and political accomplishments during his 12-year tenure in his At-Large seat. Clark bills himself as the fresh, eager alternative who is willing to bring some new approaches to the Council. While the two don’t differ tremendously on the issues at the forefront of their campaigns, they have particular common ground in their mutual frustration with Michael Brown: the third man running for this seat who doesn’t seem to mind that some voter’s are confusing him with the popular, sitting eponymy on the Council.  

Fresh vs. Seasoned
“What sets me apart is I have a long record and experience,” Mendelson told Capital Community News. “The record I have is one that is good on issues and responses to the community.”

Mendelson came to DC to earn his BA in political science from The American University.  He became involved in political activism when he joined the McLean Gardens Resident Association in 1975 to prevent the demolition of that housing complex, and served on his advisory neighborhood commission from 1979 until winning the City Council At-Large seat in 1998. Mendelson is currently the chairman of the Council’s Committee on Public Safety and the Judiciary.

He has had a long legislative history with environmental and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender advocacy, referencing his authoring “probably the best bill in the country with regard to parentage rights,” and his strong public support for increased hate crimes reporting to more clearly identify trends.

Crime reform has also been a large part of Mendelson’s focus, having authored two omnibus crime bills and amended 39 different laws to increase penalties for human trafficking, liquid PCP usage, and tightened prohibitions for drug paraphernalia.

Challenger Clark Ray is quick to point out his own professional and academic history, offering practical experience in education, public safety, gay rights and government transparency.

Ray holds a master’s degree in administrative management from Temple University, and a bachelor’s in education which required him to student-teach 6th, 7th and 8th grade as a part of the University of Arkansas’ curriculum.

He attended the DC police academy to become a reserve officer, riding along with professional officers and walking beats around Adams Morgan at night. He also served on the City’s Gay and Lesbian Liaison Unit.

After working on the Fenty campaign, Ray eventually earned a position as director of the Department of Parks and Recreation. He pointed out his surprise at how many meetings were held during normal business hours, when parents and other affected individuals would not be able to attend.

The mayor indirectly asked him to resign from that position in April 2009 after Ray voiced concerns about the mayor’s decision to privatize child-care programs that fell under the purview of the parks department, Ray said. 

Education
Ray has been adamant in his support for the creation of a schools chancellor position, and clear in his backing of Michelle Rhee since she took that office. But he believes the position could use some tweaks.

Ray references the decreasing confidence in the District’s school board system during his 23 years as a resident which caused many of his friends with school-age children to move to municipalities that they believed had stronger education programs. There was a clear “writing on the wall” that the city needed a new approach to education, he said.

“She’s [Rhee] got to include parents and teachers, and administrators in the process or it’s not going to be successful,” Ray said, adding, “Sit down and say ‘This is how I see it. What are your thoughts and will you move with me?’”

In contrast, Mendelson was particularly vocal in the summer of 2007 in his opposition to the creation of a school chancellor position, and was one of only two members of Council to vote against the initiative.

His attitude has changed in the two years since Michelle Rhee became chancellor, as he now looks for someone to remain in the position long enough to be held accountable for their decisions.

“To me, one of the fundamental issues with reforming anything is that there be continuity,” he said.

Mendelson pointed out that the DC government is “marked with constantly starting over,” referring particularly to the numerous, different initiatives since 1990 aimed at reducing crime.

“If you stop and start over, then with what goes wrong next year, who will you blame it on?” he inquired. “I’m a DCPS parent. I want to see the reform succeed.”

Political approach
Mendelson’s logic about retaining Chancellor Rhee does not extend as far as the Mayor, for whom four years has been long enough to deem him unsuccessful, he said.

He particularly “alarmed” with the current administration’s fiscal policies, which he believes has put the city “on the brink of the abyss,” potentially relegating DC to Control Board rule.

“The way the executive handles the public and the legislature in terms of transparency and accountability, and collaborativeness is appalling,” he added.

He specifically mentioned the judiciary committee he chairs which passed eight “substantial” bills to amend the criminal law, but was “rebuffed” by the Mayor who refused “working with the Council on these issues,” said Mendelson.

“I believe that this government has slipped backwards significantly over the last four years,” he added, “and I believe Vince Gray would be a far better mayor.”

Despite never receiving a specific reason behind Fenty’s request that he resign, Ray believes that he would have a good working relationship with Mayor Fenty if he is reelected.

“I’m an adult, Adrian’s an adult,” Ray said. “I think I have demonstrated my ability to let him know when I don’t agree with him – I lost my job over it.”

“He and I interacted many times since my removal as director,” he added. “He’s going to have to bring up the reason why.”

Ray adds that he has a “great deal of respect” for Council Chairman Gray, with whom Ray worked as Parks Department director.

Time Served
Much of Ray’s criticism of Mendelson revolves around his belief that the incumbent has spent long enough on the City Council.

“Twelve years in one spot, to me, is long enough,” said Ray.  “If you’re that good of a legislator, or that good of a Council member, move up or move out.”

Ray “applauds” Council member Kwame Brown for seeking the chairmanship of the Council, though he admits it is a slightly different situation, as a loss for Brown would return him to his current At-Large seat since he is not up for reelection.

“Would you say that to Eleanor Holmes Norton, or David Catania?” Mendelson retorted to an inquiry by Capital Community News, referencing the 19-year tenure of DC’s delegate to the US Congress, and the 13 years his colleague has spent on the City Council. “I happen to think there’s a value to experience.”

Only six of the current twelve members of the Council have been serving for longer than three years. 

An approach to a position may be as important as the results. The At-Large seat isn’t broken, but it also isn’t new. Voters will decide this September: is it worth fixing?

Michael Brown or Michael Brown?
Both candidates, but particularly Mendelson, have expressed their concern that their mutual opponent for the At-Large seat, DC’s current Congressional Shadow Senator Michael Brown, garnered much of his success from voters confusing him with sitting Council member Michael A. Brown.

Candidate Brown even won the Ward 5 straw poll in late August. As a result, Mendelson has released a clarifying flyer reminiscent of a DC paper ballot, including pictures of the two Michael Browns and explaining which one is which.