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Leon Andrews Jr.
Leon Andrews Jr. is a former candidate for the Ward 4 seat on the Council of the District of Columbia. He ran in the primary election on June 14, 2016.[1]
He also ran unsuccessfully for the Ward 4 seat in 2015.
Biography
Andrews graduated from Gonzaga College High School. He later received his B.A. in political science and business administration from Howard University. Andrews also holds an M.S. from Carnegie Mellon University and a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan. He has been the director of Race, Equity and Leadership (REAL) at the National League of Cities since 2006.[2]
Campaign themes
2016
Andrews' campaign website listed the following themes for 2016:
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There are so many ways to serve a community – through mentorship, advocacy, activism or politicking. I am a positive mentor to young black men, a grassroots advocate against childhood obesity and a steadfast activist for sustainability, education, workforce development, safety and reduction of crime, improvements in community health and child welfare, and civic engagement. I would now like to serve my community as an elected official, where I will be in a position to effect permanent change for my neighborhood, ward and city. I am running because I owe it to my grandmother and her generation to make sure they are able to live, work and play in a safe and secure environment. I am running to ensure that my peers share in the growth and development that is taking place in the District of Columbia. And, I am running because I owe it to my children and yours to assure they have every opportunity right here. The future of Ward 4 is bright, and under my leadership, we will prosper together. Please review some of the key issues I feel need to be addressed, and provide comments so we may begin the conversation, as I plan to hit the ground running when I am elected to the Council of the District of Columbia. AFFORDABLE HOUSING As affordable housing takes on a new meaning in DC, the problems are not just about location, maintenance or fair standards of accommodation, but about the challenge of creating a balanced plan that makes housing affordable and accessible for everyone, from seniors to young families. If elected as the next Ward 4 Councilmember, I will advocate to ensure that no one is locked out of the prosperity that change brings, especially as it relates to something as basic as housing. I will make every effort to see that a healthy relationship exists among housing operators, residents and the city. Additionally, as the Ward 4 Councilmember, I will work with my colleagues to establish sensible housing policies, and work with developers to ensure that residents are protected, should they be displaced by development projects that are proliferating throughout Ward 4. BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Within Ward 4 there are some corridors of commerce that have yet to experience the development, investment and economic opportunities underway in other parts of our Ward. As a Ward with transportation-friendly commercial corridors, the opportunities for development are exciting, and as your Councilmember, I will advocate for projects that bring our entire Ward along in a balanced and equitable manner. For a decade I’ve seen how cities partner with businesses and communities to improve curb appeal, develop vacant and blighted properties, expand service offerings and strengthen the quality of retail and grocery stores that create living wage jobs. I want to bring these concepts to DC and in particular, right here at home in Ward 4. It is also important for our base of small business owners to be re-energized so they may prosper for the foreseeable future. Their input on development projects is vital to the creation of corridors where residents and visitors alike are inclined to spend their hard-earned dollars. EDUCATION Public education faces many challenges, but the most important one facing Ward 4 is the lack of quality options for middle school. Currently, Alice Deal Middle School, which is in Ward 3, is one of the best school choices, but it cannot be our only option. If elected as Ward 4’s next Councilmember, I would suggest a comprehensive approach that considers entering into a partnership with the community to improve the schools. Let’s tap into existing resources, think about better alignment, and redeploy resources if necessary. We must create enriching learning environments for all Ward 4 children no matter what school they attend. Let’s increase our oversight responsibilities and end the blame game for the benefit of all our children. INFRASTRUCTURE Ward 4 should be fully livable, meaning that residents have safe options for play, have uninterrupted electricity and most importantly, come and go with ease. As your Councilmember, I will work with my colleagues to ensure Ward 4 is accessible and safe for everyone: children, seniors, persons with disabilities and families. I will advocate for an increase in spending for Ward 4’s streets, sidewalks and alleyways, as well as tree maintenance and water purification. Far too often, we focus on above-ground development, but ignore what’s below - this will not happen on my watch. As an advocate for environmentally friendly approaches to development, I will encourage developers and business owners to maintain green practices and sustainable methods in all building projects. And should it become necessary to legislate green development, I will introduce or co-sponsor legislation mandating sustainable practices. PEPCO EXCELON The Exelon benefits package negotiated by Mayor Muriel Bowser, and recklessly supported by Councilmember Todd, should be thoroughly examined by the Public Service Commission, and quite possibly investigated by the US Attorney, the DC Inspector General and the DC Office of Government Ethics. As residents, ratepayers and voters, we hold the stewards of our quality of life to the highest standards, and this decision-making process lacked the level of transparency we require in 2016. Let me be clear – I support an electric utility which places the interests of residents over those of shareholders and, as a responsible corporate citizen, provides reliable energy from renewable sources for the long-term. By accepting the Exelon package, Councilmember Todd tacitly acknowledged that he has no problem with the tactics deployed to secure this deal. Some of these maneuvers included donations to the government and sectors of DC’s business community, whose members, in turn, supported the closed-door agreement. In 2011, the US Department of Justice brought a civil complaint against Exelon and Constellation regarding their merger. It found that, “Exelons merger with Constellation would eliminate significant competition between them in two smaller regions within this broad area and give the merged firm the incentive and the ability to raise wholesale electricity prices, resulting in increased retail electricity prices for millions of residential, commercial, and industrial customers in these areas.” The District of Columbia is one of those “areas” that will be affected by increased rates. A similar reaction from the Attorney General of the United States could be forthcoming, as this new merger increases Exelon’s footprint. The merger may be good for Pepco’s shareholders, but why do the Executive and Council feel they must approve this deal? If elected as the next Ward 4 Councilmember, I pledge to be a member who refuses to accept the entrenched business-as-usual attitude the District Government has demonstrated time and time again, especially when corporations deem their interests to be more important than the welfare of DC residents. Let’s not be fooled by fast cash and empty promises. PUBLIC SAFETY According to the Metropolitan Police Department’s database for reported crime statistics, of the 3,474 reported crimes in Ward 4 during 2015, 2,878 were property crimes, and 595 were violent crimes, of which seven were homicides. While public safety will always be a concern, we cannot police the problem away just by adding more officers. We need our elected leaders to require more from our police chief and the rank-and-file. If you elect me as Ward 4’s next Councilmember, I will propose legislation that mandates collaboration between the Metropolitan Police Department and the Department of Human Services. This partnership will join preventive measures with intervention services, thereby facilitating the restoration of at-risk lives. Among my many legislative priorities, I will advocate for a community-policing model, which allows for officers to know their beat, and for communities to interact positively with those officers. I will also focus the city’s finances on new methods to increase public safety, such as improving street lighting, beautifying public spaces, increasing visibility in high crime areas, removing impediments to clear lines of sight, and re-defining the usage of cameras for monitoring high crime areas. SENIORS & AGING IN PLACE One of the reasons I want to represent Ward 4 on the DC Council is to honor the legacy of my grandmother, who purchased our family home on Jefferson Street. The need for housing preservation that is coupled with the ability to "age in place" is a serious concern. While this issue is personal, it is also incredibly practical. Forty-two percent of all residents in Ward 4 are classified as senior citizens. As your Councilmember, I will steadfastly support all efforts to ensure that seniors are able to age in place. While we are mindful of elder abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation that must never be tolerated, we must also be diligent in strong oversight of senior facilities to ensure cleanliness, attentive care and respect. WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT As the economy is slowly recovering, it is important we ensure that all residents benefit during the recovery. Our residents must be prepared to enter the workforce and secure employment that earns them a livable wage, thereby contributing to the economic growth of Ward 4. As your Councilmember, I will support investment in evidence-based job training, apprenticeships and vocational education in our schools and through community organizations, which will offer opportunities for more youth, young adults, and dislocated workers to have pathways to prosperity. Additionally, I believe our workforce must be prepared with 21st century skills, focusing on technology, innovation and cybernetics. YOUTH DEVELOPMENT Two stark scenarios unfold for too many children of Ward 4 - incarceration or an early death. While most of our youth are responsible teenagers, those with severe life challenges need more of our attention. When I was young, the village consistently came to the rescue of many misguided youth. Their lives were thus not surrendered to the system to determine their destinies. In order to ensure all youth have a chance at a successful life, as Ward 4’s next Councilmember, I will work with my colleagues to legislate an expansion of the widest array of after-school programs and activities for our public and charter school students, by creating a collaborative planning process which involves our schools, libraries and recreation centers for the benefit of all our Ward’s youth. Additionally, I will work to increase vocational education in our high schools. By neglecting vocational education for far too long, the District has not provided alternative career opportunities for youth. I am amazed that DC government officials continue to promote traditional skill sets and four-year college enrollment, while ignoring the fact that higher education is achieved through life experience and not just in classrooms, and the fact that careers not requiring a college degree are expanding due to new technology. In addition, our youth need more role models - mentors who believe in them, nurture them and challenge them, and I will use my influence to develop robust mentoring programs with access to opportunities that put our children on a level playing field. [3] |
” |
| —Leon Andrews Jr. (2016), [4] | ||
Elections
2016
| Washington, D.C. Council Ward 4, Democratic Primary Election, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
 Brandon Todd Incumbent |
50.81% | 8,145 |
| Leon Andrews Jr. | 42.04% | 6,738 |
| Ron Austin | 3.58% | 574 |
| Calvin Gurley | 3.18% | 509 |
| Write-in votes | 0.39% | 63 |
| Total Votes | 16,029 | |
| Source: District of Columbia Board of Elections, "Primary Election 2016 - Certified Results," June 28, 2016 | ||
2015
The city of Washington, D.C., held special elections for city council on April 28, 2015. The filing deadline for candidates who wished to run in this election was January 28, 2015.[5]
In the election to fill the Ward 4 seat of Muriel Bowser, Brandon Todd defeated Acqunetta Anderson, Leon T. Andrews, Jr., Ron Austin, Renée L. Bowser, Gwenellen Corley-Bowman, Judi Jones, Bruce Morrison, Edwin W. Powell, Pedro Rubio, Jr., Glova Scott, Douglass Sloan, Bobvala Tengen and Dwayne M. Toliver.[6][7]
| Washington, D.C., City Council, Ward 4, 2015 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Brandon Todd |
43% | 4,584 | |
| Renée L. Bowser | 21.7% | 2,311 | |
| Leon T. Andrews, Jr. | 15.1% | 1,613 | |
| Dwayne M. Toliver | 12.2% | 1,297 | |
| Ron Austin | 1.7% | 185 | |
| Edwin W. Powell | 1.2% | 132 | |
| Judi Jones | 1.1% | 119 | |
| Acqunetta Anderson | 1.1% | 117 | |
| Bobvala Tengen | 0.9% | 91 | |
| Gwenellen Corley-Bowman | 0.7% | 73 | |
| Douglass Sloan | 0.5% | 55 | |
| Glova Scott | 0.5% | 53 | |
| Pedro Rubio, Jr. | 0.3% | 37 | |
| Total Votes | 9,990 | ||
| Source: DC Board of Elections, "Official election results," accessed May 18, 2015 | |||
Endorsements
2016
The following table displays endorsements issued in the 2016 election:
| Candidate endorsements | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | The Washington Post[8] | D.C. for Democracy[9] | Gertrude Stein Democratic Club[10] | Democrats for Education Reform[11] | |
| At-large | |||||
Vincent Orange  (Incumbent) |
 |
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| David Garber |
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| Robert White |
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| District 2 | |||||
| Jack Evans (Incumbent) |
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| District 4 | |||||
| Brandon Todd (Incumbent) |
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| Leon Andrews Jr. |
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| Ron Austin |
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| Calvin Gurley |
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| District 7 | |||||
| Yvette Alexander (Incumbent) |
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| Delmar Chesley |
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| Vincent Gray |
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| Grant Thompson |
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| District 8 | |||||
| LaRuby May (Incumbent) |
|
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| Maurice Dickens |
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| Bonita Goode |
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| Aaron Holmes |
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| Trayon White |
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Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms " Leon Andrews " Washington, D.C.. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
See also
- Washington, D.C.
- Municipal elections in Washington, D.C. (2016)
- United States municipal elections, 2016
- Washington, D.C. municipal elections, 2015
- United States municipal elections, 2015
External links
- District of Columbia Board of Elections, "List of Candidates in the June 14, 2016 Primary Election"
- Campaign website
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 District of Columbia Board of Elections, "List of Candidates in the June 14, 2016 Primary Election," March 17, 2016
- ↑ Andrews 4 DC, "Resume," accessed May 9, 2016
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Andrews 4 DC, "Why I'm Running," accessed May 9, 2016
- ↑ District of Columbia Board of Elections, "April 28, 2015 Special Election to Fill Vacancies in the Offices of Ward 4 and Ward 8 Members of the Council of the District of Columbia Calendar of Important Dates and Deadlines," accessed February 2, 2015
- ↑ District of Columbia Board of Elections, "List of Candidates in the April 28, 2015 Ward 4 and Ward 8 Members of the Council Special Election," accessed February 2, 2015
- ↑ District of Columbia Board of Elections, "2015 Special Election Results," accessed April 28, 2015
- ↑ The Washington Post, "For D.C. Council," May 27, 2016
- ↑ Washington City Paper, "Lefty Group Endorses Green Team Foes," April 18, 2016
- ↑ Washington Blade, "Gray wins Stein Club endorsement," May 10, 2016
- ↑ Democrats for Education Reform, "Democrats for Education Reform Announces Endorsements for Key 2016 D.C. Council Primaries," April 6, 2016
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