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Graham undecided over re-election bid

Gay Council member forms exploratory committee

Published

13 years ago

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Jim Graham, Washington, D.C., gay news, Washington Blade
Jim Graham, gay news, gay politics dc

‘I’ve had so many people ask me, are you running, are you running,’ Council member Jim Graham told the Blade this week. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

Gay D.C. Councilmember Jim Graham (D-Ward 1) on Oct. 15 filed papers with the Office of Campaign Finance to form an exploratory committee to help him decide whether to run in the April 1, 2014 Democratic primary for a fifth term in office.

Three other Democrats have already announced they will run in the Ward 1 primary regardless of whether Graham enters the race.

“I’ve had so many people ask me, are you running, are you running?” Graham told the Blade on Tuesday. “I wanted to do something formal to indicate I’m thinking about it and I’m touching bases with a lot of people and thinking about a lot of things,” he said.

“This is a big decision in my little life and I want to make sure that I make it right,” Graham said. “And there is no way to do all of this without an exploratory committee because it’s the only mechanism that we have available to us.”

Graham, one of the Council’s strongest supporters on LGBT rights and AIDS issues, acknowledged that he will have to make a decision on whether to run soon because petitions needed to gain access to the ballot become available to all candidates on Nov. 8. The deadline for filing the petitions with the required number of signatures with the D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics is Jan. 2.

One of the candidates running in the Ward 1 race, public relations consultant and civic activist Brianne Nadeau, made an appeal for support on Oct. 14 at a meeting of the Gertrude Stein Democratic Club, the city’s largest LGBT political organization. The Stein Club has endorsed Graham in each of his four previous races for the Ward 1 seat.

Another candidate running for the seat is Bryan Weaver, a longtime community activist and former Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner who ran and lost to Graham in the 2010 Democratic primary. The third candidate to enter the race so far is Beverly Wheeler, an adjunct professor at Carnegie Mellon University and former chief of staff for D.C. Council member Phil Mendelson (D-At-Large), prior to Mendelson’s election as Council chair.

Weaver has been the most outspoken among the three candidates in criticizing Graham for breaching city ethics standards following a decision in February by his Council colleagues to formally reprimand Graham over an allegation that he improperly intervened in the negotiating process for a city contract with a developer. The Council acted after the city’s newly created independent ethics board ruled that Graham, while not violating any law, breached a code of ethics as a Council member by intervening in the contract process.

Graham has strongly disputed the claim that he acted improperly, saying he favored one developer over another for a Metro-related project in his ward based on the belief that the company he favored was better qualified to do the work.

In a development likely to surprise some D.C. political observers, another one of Graham’s former election opponents, gay Republican Marc Morgan, who lost to Graham in the November 2010 general election, this week called Graham a champion for the residents of his ward.

“In trying to put political bias aside, I must admit that I’m a fan of Jim Graham’s,” said Morgan, a Ward 1 ANC commissioner. “Over the past four years I’ve had the opportunity to really get to know him,” Morgan told the Blade. “I admire his work … I can tell you that in my area the residents are extremely satisfied with him.”

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Maryland

Md. groups receive state grants to fight hate crimes

Pride Center of Maryland among recipients

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1 day ago

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September 9, 2026

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Maryland Gov. Wes Moore speaks at the Human Rights Campaign's National Dinner in D.C. on Sept. 13, 2025. His administration in the 2027 fiscal year will give $10 million in grants to the Pride Center of Maryland and other groups that work to prevent hate crimes in Maryland. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy are awarding a total of $10 million in grants in the 2027 fiscal year to nonprofit organizations that work to prevent hate crimes in the state.

The funds will be used to support those who feel targeted or discriminated against because of their race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability status.

The Pride Center of Maryland is among the recipients. Churches, synagogues, mosques, and LGBTQ organizations are all eligible to receive grants

“The safety and security of all Marylanders is my top priority, so we are drawing a hard line because we have no tolerance for hate,” said Moore, according to media reports. “We are committed to protecting and ensuring safe and sacred spaces stay that way by investing in non-profit organizations, houses of worship, and community centers to protect and honor every community that makes our state so diverse and special.” 

“Protection Against Hate Crime funding has strengthened the Pride Center of Maryland’s ability to protect, educate, and support the communities we serve … at a time of heightened concern associated with the Trump administration’s anti-LGBTQ/SGL (same-gender-loving) policies and pressures,” Pride Center of Maryland CEO Cleo Manago said. “PAHC funding helps us do more than improve physical security — it strengthens our community’s knowledge, preparedness, connection to resources, and ability to respond to hate with greater awareness and support.”

Maryland’s hate crimes law includes both sexual orientation and gender identity. The state’s nondiscrimination statute is also LGBTQ-inclusive.

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District of Columbia

Blade welcomes fall intern

Alexis McLean is student at University of North Florida

Published

1 week ago

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September 2, 2026

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Alexis McLean (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)

The Washington Blade this week welcomed Alexis McLean as its fall intern.

Alexis is studying political science at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, Fla. She is interning with the Blade as part of a continued partnership with the Washington Center.

“I am looking forward to spending my time in the fall with the Washington Blade, as this is a new experience for me,” said Alexis. “I have not experienced any journalist jobs in the past so this would be my first time, and I am excited to better my writing and communications skills with this internship.”

Alexis’s internship with the Blade ends in early December.

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Rehoboth Beach

SUNFESTIVAL takes center stage as Rehoboth Beach closes out summer

Labor Day Weekend bustling with events, including David Archuleta performance

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1 week ago

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September 1, 2026

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David Archuleta headlines this year’s SUNFESTIVAL on Saturday in Rehoboth Beach. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Labor Day Weekend marks the unofficial end of summer in Rehoboth Beach, but there will be no shortage of LGBTQ events, with CAMP Rehoboth’s annual SUNFESTIVAL taking over town this weekend.

Thursday (9/3)

Get your Labor Day Weekend started early Thursday night with happy hour from 5-7 p.m. at Diego’s Bar & Nightclub, followed by Naughtee Bingo hosted by Magnolia Applebottom at 8:30 p.m.

After bingo, the party continues with Dancing at Diego’s from 9 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.

Aqua Bar & Grill will also kick off its Labor Day Weekend festivities Thursday with a DJ spinning from 9 p.m.-1 a.m.

Friday (9/4)

The weekend ramps up Friday night at Aqua, where DJ Matt Bailer will keep the dance floor moving from 9 p.m.-1 a.m.

Over at Diego’s, DJ Steve Sidewalk will then take over Diego’s for Freedom Friday from 9 p.m.-1:30 a.m.

Saturday (9/5)

The main event of the weekend arrives Saturday with the opening night of CAMP Rehoboth’s SUNFESTIVAL.

Billed as the ultimate party to close out the summer, SUNFESTIVAL has become one of Rehoboth’s signature Labor Day Weekend events. The annual celebration sells out each year, with proceeds benefiting CAMP Rehoboth.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with refreshments available at the cash bar while attendees are invited to socialize and find their seats.

Saturday night will feature local singer Ashley Williams as the opening performer, followed by headliner David Archuleta. The event will also feature a live auction.

Back across town Saturday, Aqua will continue its Labor Day Weekend DJ lineup from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Diego’s will also have plenty happening, with ‘Splash Party’ hosted by Magnolia Applebottom at 5 p.m., followed by a Saturday Dance Party with Brett Oosterhaus from 9 p.m.- 1:30 a.m.

The Blue Moon hosts its popular Legends Show at 9 p.m. It’s an all-live singing show by the Blue Moon cast of celebrity impersonators.

Etienne Pilon has taken Rehoboth by storm this summer. Check out the talented singer/pianist at The Pines from 7-10 p.m.

Sunday (9/6)

Sunday’s SUNFESTIVAL event will shift the focus to the dance floor, with globally renowned DJs Robbie Leslie and James Anthony scheduled to perform. Doors open at 7 p.m., with dancing continuing until 1 a.m.

On Sunday, Aqua will throw its annual White Party, with DJs spinning from 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Guests are encouraged to dress in white for the holiday weekend celebration.

Diego’s will host its Sunday High T-Dance with Pamala Stanley at 5 p.m. Later that evening, DJ Tannr will be spinning at 9 p.m.

John Flynn is on the piano from 6-8 p.m. at the Blue Moon.

Monday (9/7)

The final day of Labor Day Weekend brings one last chance to hit the dance floor before summer officially winds down.

Aqua will close out its five-day Labor Day Weekend celebration with DJ Biff from 3-7 p.m.

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