I'm covering the first Ward 2 Council candidate forum tonight. What should be on the bingo board?
Show this thread
Jack Evans isn’t here, but his six declared primary challengers are giving opening statements. John Fanning hits on parochial issues like small business retention and affordable housing projects.
-
-
Jordan Grossman went hard after Evans in his opening statement, “We need a council member who is focused on us and not his personal financial interests.”
Show this thread -
Daniel Hernandez talked about his military background and the call for public service. Patrick Kennedy had a crowd pleaser by calling for Vision Zero with teeth. Kishan Putta highlighted his advocacy on Jelleff Field.
Show this thread -
Yilin Zhang is the newest Ward 2 Council candidate and a political newcomer. She seemed to surprise the crowd with a rousing speech introducing herself as a child of immigrants who became a proud Washingtonian
Show this thread -
Some of the more interesting answers on how to bring more housing to Ward 2: Grants for homeowners who rent garages/basements (Fanning); banning single family home designations (Hernandez); make affordable housing top priority for comp plan (Grossman)
Show this thread -
Asked if they support bill to decriminalize sex work, Putta, Grossman, Zhang and Hernandez say yes. Fanning says “well” and gets booed when he tries to expand (he pushes against sex work in Logan Circle). Kennedy gets hisses when he says he opposes bill as currently written
Show this thread -
Should we abolish constituent service funds (Evans famously uses his for seasonal sports tickets, subscriptions and even a parking ticket in Virginia once)? Zhang and Fanning say no, Putta/Kennedy/Hernandez/Grossman say yes (but seem open to keeping them with new rules)
Show this thread -
Fun question: What has Jack Evans done RIGHT? Putta says he’s done well for himself. Grossman praises support for arts. Fanning and Kennedy praises Evans’ council staffers. Zhang gives backhanded praise for excess Events D.C. money redirected to public housing
Show this thread -
Another fun question: Would you drop out and endorse another challenger to prevent Jack Evans’ winning with a split field? Fanning says he won’t rule it out. Grossman says his top goal is beating Jack. Hernandez, Zhang and Kennedy say yes. Putta dodges
Show this thread
End of conversation
New conversation -
-
-
-
Did he lose his invitation?
End of conversation
New conversation -
Loading seems to be taking a while.
Twitter may be over capacity or experiencing a momentary hiccup. Try again or visit Twitter Status for more information.