Candidates got down and dirty into the finer points of city policy at their last mayoral debate Thursday night, amongst a rowdy crowd which interrupted and derailed parts of the discussion.
The forum, held at Anacostia High School in Ward 8, had a more community atmosphere than any of the past debates. High school students spoke, the school’s band put on a choreographed performance and community leaders energized the mostly Ward 8 crowd before candidates took stage — including a Ward 8 chant.
But the pageantry ended when candidates began talking. Supporters cheered and booed. Hecklers were loud and frequent, eliciting nasty back-and-forths with audience members from across the auditorium. One incident lasted five minutes with multiple people arguing. A handful who had seen enough left within the first half hour.
A departure from past debates, candidates Muriel E. Bowser (D), David A. Catania (I) and Carol Schwartz (I) spent less time bickering over personal grievances. Moderator Bruce Johnson of WUSA 9 pressed candidates for specifics — on education, affordable housing, gentrification and issues that affect residents east of the Anacostia river.
Ward 8 residents who attended also voted decisively for Bowser in a straw poll, who drew 168 votes to Catania’s 69 and Schwartz’s 16.
Catania put his knowledge of local schools on show, naming half a dozen and negative effects the school boundaries plan proposed by current Mayor Vincent Gray (D) could have on them. He said stability is needed at schools, citing multiple principals fired within a few years of being hired.
Bowser, who has previously said she wants to change parts of the boundaries plan, said the current plan would draw a line between schools in Anacostia and the rest of D.C., exacerbating educational inequality.
“I would set some goals—,” Bowser said, before a heckler shouted “What are they?” Bowser emphasized the need for leadership at the top in education, while adding that she would also set some goals for teacher retainment.
Candidates were also quizzed on issues that hit hard the poorest Washingtonians — many of whom from Wards 7 and 8 — such as unemployment and adult education.
Bowser said she would boost employment by persuading contractors to hire unemployed District residents. Catania said he wants community re-engagement centers to provide a path for GEDs and financial recovery. Schwartz wants schools to be open at night for adult education programs.
“We are great at investing in buildings, we invested in ballparks and convention centers,” said Catania, who opposed building Nationals Park. “We have to invest in our young people.
On affordable housing, candidates rehashed more of the same. Catania joined in with Schwartz on supporting more public housing, while Bowser again promised to spend $100 million a year on building and renovating units.
There still was some room for fiery discourse on the night, however.
After Catania and Schwartz were done explaining why they left the Republican party, Bowser launched into a passionate defense of her own party.
“I never raised $30,000 for George W. Bush to get a seat at the table. Instead I went out to Denver to nominate Barack Obama,” Bowser addressed the crowd, referring to money Catania raised as a Republican. “I am proud of my Democratic roots and you should be too.”
Schwartz again charged Catania with conflict of interest due to his past work with city contractor M.C. Dean, suggesting his support for street cars is in part to benefit his former employer. Catania emerged the top proponent of the service, while Schwartz was critical of its cost and instead supported investing in Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. Bowser questioned the effectiveness of streetcars in linking communities.
With Nov. 4 just weeks away, Bowser appears strong for the final stretch. Friday afternoon she picked up another Washington Post endorsement, and earlier in the week campaign finance reports show her with $1 million left to spend, nearly double that of Catania, her closest challenger.
The near two-hour long debate will be aired on WUSA9 at 7 p.m. Friday. Candidates also debated Wednesday, which will be broadcast on NBC4 on Sunday and can also be viewed online here.
