The D.C. Democratic State Committee has appointed as interim member to the D.C. Council the same city activist who won the party’s nomination for the seat in June.
Robert White was sworn-in Friday as the council’s newest at-large representative.
“I look forward to bringing immediate and transparent representation to the council for the final months of the 2016 Council period,” Mr. White said. “I’m very humbled to have the full support of the Democratic State Committee.”
Mr. White replaced former at-large member Vincent Orange, who vacated his seat last month after accepting the leadership of the D.C. Chamber of Commerce, which lobbies the legislative committee Mr. Orange led.
Under D.C. law, the party of a resigning lawmaker can name an interim replacement. The law also says the D.C. Board of Elections must hold a special election within 174 days of the resignation.
Mr. White defeated Mr. Orange in June’s Democratic primary. Because Democrats account for about 75 percent of the city’s registered voters, Mr. White is virtually assured victory in November’s general election.
Heavily favored to be appointed to the seat, Mr. White won handily in a 43-2 vote by the Democratic State Committee. He doesn’t have much time to prepare: The council starts it’s fall legislative session on Tuesday.
Mr. White was welcomed by messages from his new colleagues on Twitter and other social media.
In August, when word spread that Mr. White likely would be appointed, he told The Washington Times that he already had been studying the legislation the council will consider in the coming months in order to hit the ground running.
Two major bills are moving through the council: One would require employers to give work schedules to employees at least three weeks in advance, and the other would make businesses pay a 1 percent tax to fund paid family and medical leave for all of the District’s workers.
Mr. White pledged Friday to push through a paid family leave bill, the only specific piece of legislation he mentioned.
“Over the remainder of the legislative session, Mr. White will work with colleagues to pass robust legislation to address paid family leave in the District of Columbia, and work with his team to develop a strong legislative package for the 2017 calendar year should he be selected by voters for a full term on November 8,” a campaign statement said Friday.
The D.C. Chamber of Commerce, where Mr. Orange is now employed, strongly opposes both. Mr. White said he supports paid family leave and fair scheduling, though he said he is still working out the details.
“I’ve always been a supporter of paid family leave,” Mr. White told The Times in August. “I come from a working-class family that has struggled in this city. I want to immediately pull in the paid-leave advocates and the business community to have a conversation.”
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