Washington, D.C. residents rejected Mayor Vincent Gray, whose administration has been plagued with controversy. Gray lost in the Democratic primary to City council member Muriel Bowser in Tuesday’s election.
Although the poor weather this winter made it difficult for any candidate to campaign, Gray was also hurt by a federal investigation into his 2010 campaign finances, notes USA Today. Gray denied that he did anything wrong, but federal prosecutors think he knew that businessman Jeffrey Thompson was funneling money to his campaign. Five people linked to the 2010 campaign have already pleaded guilty.
Still, Gray told NBC Washington that it was the weather that made it hard to reach voters. He did concede the election, adding, “The amount of work we've done over the past three and a-half years has been nothing short of phenomenal.”
Gray will remain in office for nine months to finish out the rest of his term.
Bowser, who has been on the City Council for seven years, told her supporters that D.C. needed a fresh start. “[Democrats] will unite,” she said. “The Democrats of the nation's capital have always elected a Democratic mayor, a Democratic mayor, and in big numbers. And we're going to do it again in November... I accept your nomination!”
Turnout was noticeably light, though, which disappointed Bowser’s opponent, Independent David Catania. “It's a little bit disheartening to see the light turnout. It's a function of people losing faith in the system,” the former Republican told NBC Washington.