AROUND THE REGION said. The January poll conducted by Higher Ground PAC showed Gray leading the incumbent by 16 points. Gray’s support among likely Democratic voters was 48 percent; the incumbent received 32 percent. The Democratic primary is June 14, 2016. Carrie L. Thornhill, a longtime resident of Ward 7, will chair Gray’s campaign. For more than 40 years, Thorn-
hill has been actively engaged in public education reform, community development and social action. Thornhill has served as chair of the Washington East Foundation, vice president for Youth Investment and Community Outreach with DC Agenda, president of the Committee on Strategies to Reduce Chronic Poverty, project manager for the DC Kids Count Collaborative, CEO of Pre-K for All
DC and a mayoral appointee to the District of Columbia Board of Education, the Board of Zoning Adjustment and the University of the District of Columbia. Chuck Thies, Gray’s 2014 campaign manager, will serve as treasurer and communications director. The former mayor said other campaign officials and a campaign kickoff celebration will be announced soon. WI
5Ward 7 Council member candidate Vince Gray. / Photo by Patricia Little GRAY from Page 1 The former mayor is starting out in his home territory, Ward 7, where he’ll challenge incumbent Yvette Alexander in June for a seat on the council. “The hope and promise of Ward 7 cannot slip away. Every day I see our accomplishments slowing or stalled. The people we’ve helped here in Ward 7 and across the District deserve better. If we work together as a community our voices will not be ignored,” Gray said. And, it’s not like the ever-perceptive Gray is going into the race blindly. Just last month, a poll partially commissioned by supporters, revealed that Gray, 73, was heavily favored by Democratic voters should he seek a Ward 7 bid. The poll also gave Gray a slight edge over Vincent Orange’s At-Large seat. And, although a run for that chair would seem a bit more of a challenge, the support is there nonetheless. “He’s still Mayor Gray to a lot of us,” Sean Stetson, a Ward 7 resident and supporter said. “We’ll be there for him because we believe that he’ll always be here for us,” Stetson said. Late last year, federal pros-
ecutors said they had dropped an investigation into Gray after looking into possible illegal campaign finance charges that effectively derailed the ex-mayor’s 2014 re-election bid. “Based on a thorough review of the available evidence and applicable law, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has concluded that the admissible evidence is likely insufficient to obtain and sustain a criminal conviction” . . . the office said in a statement. Gray had always maintained his innocence during the probe and he said he remains convinced that the investigation cost him the mayor’s office which he might seek another shot at later. In announcing his campaign, Gray said, “When people ask why I am returning to the campaign trail, I tell them, ‘Because we have a lot of work to do. If we don’t do it, who will?’” “I have dedicated my entire career to serving and uplifting District residents, especially those with the greatest needs. Today, too many of our neighbors are living without jobs, the security of a stable home, or the certainty of a warm meal. Our streets feel less safe. A young generation seeking direction is looking to us to lead. Our work is not finished,” he
WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM
THE WASHINGTON INFORMER
FEB. 11 - 17, 2016 9