By Douglas Holtz-Eakin
The young drop coverage to avoid higher premiums
Independent voices from the TWT Communities
Kenyan McDuffie, a born-and-bred resident of the District's Stronghold neighborhood who touted public policy experience and a laundry list of labor endorsements, soundly defeated a crowded field on Tuesday to replace former D.C. Council member Harry Thomas Jr. and begin a new chapter for Ward 5 leadership at city hall.
A heavy slate of candidates hoping to replace former D.C. Council member Harry Thomas Jr. is courting a bloc of "supervoters" who could decide the winner - senior citizens.
A Republican who blew the whistle on former D.C. Council member Harry Thomas Jr.'s surreptitious habit of stealing from the city is among those who filed petitions to appear on the ballot in the special election to replace the disgraced ex-legislator from Ward 5.
A string of Ward 5 hopefuls picked up paperwork on Friday as part of the race to replace former council member Harry Thomas Jr. in a special election on May 15, less than two weeks after the ousted legislator is scheduled to be sentenced for theft and tax fraud involving public funds.
Shelly Gardner, a Democratic candidate who said she thinks the race is still wide open, noted that many senior voters lived through the civil rights era and understand the value of having a say in government.
"This is just how we roll," Ms. Gardner said, noting gender equality comes through "access to power."
