Post endorses Pannell

The Washington Post on Friday endorsed veteran gay Democratic and Ward 8 civic activist Phil Pannell in his race for a Ward 8 school board seat in the city’s special election on Tuesday.

The Post editorial noted that Pannell in running against eight other candidates, with the influential Ward 8 City Council member, Marion Barry, endorsing rival candidate Trayon White.

“A better choice is longtime activist Philip Pannell, who combines a keen knowledge of Southeast neighborhoods with a broad view on policy,” the Post editorial said. “Mr. Pennell is credited with helping to start and support a parent-teacher association at Ballou High School, even though he had no children there.”

The editorial adds, “His involvement in education includes work with the city’s libraries and his time as executive assistant to former school board president Peggy Cooper Cafritz.”

The Gertrude Stein Democratic Club, an LGBT political group that endorsed Pannell, called on potential supporters of Pannell from Ward 8 and other parts of the city to attend a “meet and greet” cookout hosted by the candidate’s campaign today (Saturday) from 2 to 6 p.m. at 2401 Shannon Place, S.E., near the Anacostia Metro station.