The 2012 Council of the District of Columbia special election was held on May 15, 2012, to elect the Ward 5 Councilmember to the Council of the District of Columbia. The election was called following the resignation of incumbent councilmember Harry Thomas Jr. due to his indictment on federal charges of embezzlement.
Background Harry Thomas Jr. had served on Council since 2006 as the councilmember for Ward 5, winning an open primary of 11 candidates following then-incumbent councilmember Vincent Orange's decision to run for mayor. Throughout 2011, Thomas had been the subject of multiple investigations at both the city and federal level regarding misuse of city funds for personal use. He resigned from the Council on January 5th, 2012, hours after federal prosecutors filed criminal charges of embezzlement and filing false tax returns.
Thomas' resignation left the Ward 5 seat on the Council vacant, and a special election to elect a new councilmember was scheduled for May 15th, 2012.
Candidates John C. Cheeks, perennial candidate Tim Day, Brookland accountant Kathy Henderson, Carver Langston activist Drew E. Hubbard, Woodridge lawyer and former Council staffer Delano Hunter, Gateway activist and 2010 candidate for Ward 5 councilmember Shelly Gardner, Langdon lawyer Ron L. Magnus, Brookland lawyer Ruth E. Marshall, Queens Chapel activist and businesswoman Kenyan McDuffie, 2010 candidate for Ward 5 councilmember and lawyer Frank Wilds, Riggs Park businessman Rae Zapata, Brookland activist
Withdrawn Robert Albrecht, Brookland business owner William Boston Amanda Broadnax, Carver Langston consultant John Salatti, Bloomingdale activist
Disqualified Angel Sherri Alston Bessie M. Newell
Debates + Debates and forums for Ward 5 special election candidates Date Place Host Participants Participant. Invitee. Absent. Confirmed non-invitee. Out of race (exploring, suspended, or not yet entered) 3 March 2012Pryzbyla Center, Catholic University of AmericaBrookland Heartbeat, WTOP
Endorsements
General election
References