Jim Graham Attracts a Potential Challenger
Is someone finally taking a whack at scandal-softened Ward 1 Councilmember Jim Graham?
Bryan Weaver, the longtime Adams Morgan activist and advisory neighborhood commissioner, filed exploratory papers with the Office of Campaign Finance on Tuesday.
To explore a run against the sure-to-be-well-financed three-term incumbent, Weaver has thus far raised the princely sum of $2,500.
Exploratory bids have been rare since campaign finance laws changed some years back, but Weaver, 39, says his campaign is indeed merely speculative at the moment. “I have my opinions on what’s important to me and to the ward,” he says. “Maybe it’s a minority opinion, I don’t know.” Hence the de rigueur “listening tour.”
Why ponder a run? Weaver cites “a difference in ideas and what’s important to the ward,” pointing in particular to “an utter lack of transparency in government and a feeling that there’s a certain group of people who have a seat at the table because of contributions that they give.”
And even if Graham’s longtime chief of staff, Ted Loza, hadn’t been arrested on Sept. 24 as part of a federal bribery sting, Weaver says he’d still be looking at the race. “If you take a foreign trip for 30 days organized by someone with business before the council”---a not-so-veiled reference to alleged Loza briber Abdulaziz Kamus and a 2006 trip to Ethiopia---“no congressman could get away with that,” he says. “I want to hold my city councilmember to the same standards.”
Graham’s campaign apparatus, meanwhile, is grinding to life. He filed his re-election papers in September, and political consultant Chuck Thies has signed on to deliver zinger quotes on his behalf.
“I wish him well. Running as a first-time candidate always presents a number of unforeseen challenges,” he says, playing up Graham’s strong backing in “every part” of Ward 1. “That base of support will surely need to be considered by Bryan as he explores a possible candidacy.”
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4:27 pm
someone take a baseball bat to Grahams face please.............:)
4:32 pm
What rhymes with sleaze?
Chuck Thies.
5:05 pm
Mr. Weaver should think twice about this. Councilmember Graham has done a lot of good for Ward 1 and he has strong support across many demographics.
Also, I would not mess with Chuck Thies...I've gotten to see the guy up close and he's the real deal.
And, no matter how many times I say it..."sleaze" and "Thies" don't rhyme. Joan, what up with that?
5:25 pm
Thank you Chuck Thies, oh, I mean William. Jim Graham is a career criminal and you, Chuck Thies, are crazy. You are probably right though, one shouldn't mess with you, when I say crazy I mean "scary crazy".
LL should be careful, Thies's MO is to manipulate the press by feeding half truth, lies and innuendo, using you to sling mud from the dark. Its a good thing Graham is still in the game (for the moment)as he is the only one who would hire him. My bet is that in the end, one way or another, Graham will not see another term.
5:38 pm
Whatever your opinions on Graham, he deserves a good, credible challenger.
6:24 pm
yes, "good, credible challenger" but Weaver? ha ha.
6:38 pm
Can anyone give us info on Weaver?
8:03 pm
By the time this taxi and AIDS graft thing plays itself out and the goods on Graham's real estate deals, parking deals, furniture and art collections keep oozing out anyone will be a credible challenger.
In the absence of any evidence to the contrary it would seem that Loza's plea deal is still being negotiated. Odd that negotiations about a simple %1500.00 pay off would be so complex. I'll second that bet that Graham does not see another term and raise you one. Graham will not serve out this term.
From his Facebook page it would seem Weaver has John Aravosis on his side who has a considerably stronger intellect then Chuck Thies. Aravosus is credible. Aravosis knows how to play smart and he knows how and when to play tough. Thies only knows how to play dirty. Aravosis is disciplined, Thies is angry and reactionary. Cream of the crop versus bottom of the barrel. Let the games begin!
8:48 pm
FWIW, I think it says a lot that the photo leading a story about someone challenging Jim Graham is of... Jim Graham.
Not to put too fine a point on it, but outside of Adams Morgan people are likely to ask: "Bryan... Who"?
9:45 pm
Furniture and art collection? Now THERES a basis on which to judge someone's character and fitness for public office!
10:23 pm
But there's a leadership vacuum in any case in Ward 1, downtown rez. People would ask "who?" about just anyone, you know?
I say - go for it.
Let's groom some more leaders in Ward 1. There aren't enough.
2:05 am
"From his Facebook page it would seem Weaver has John Aravosis on his side who has a considerably stronger intellect then Chuck Thies. Aravosus is credible. Aravosis knows how to play smart and he knows how and when to play tough. Thies only knows how to play dirty. Aravosis is disciplined..."
Which is interesting, because Aravosis has never had a meaningful role in any political campaign in DC, ever. He's a superb gadfly blogger on nat'l issues, and used a blog to take some bites out of former Chief Ramsey back in the day, but zero campaign chops, zero. Probably couldn't name all the DC council members to save his life, nor ANCs in W1, nor top issues in each 'hood. Nonstarter.
8:52 am
When I worked on the Lead Technical Studies II project for Howard University's Center for Urban Progress, Bryan Weaver was one of the ANC1C officials who took a primary interest in the project's call to lead poisoning awareness for 1C constituents. He, Alan Roth, and Wilson Reynolds (among other ANC1C officials) encouraged me to share information about potential, lead hazards in pre-1978 housing with ANC1C
8:55 am
meeting attendees. I think that Bryan's heart is in the right place. Whether or not he succeeds at overcoming the Jim Graham political machine, I believe that he will elevate the real, quality of life issues that concern Ward 1 to their proper place in the grand scheme of Ward 1 politics.
9:47 am
Dan wrote:
Furniture and art collection? Now THERES a basis on which to judge someone’s character and fitness for public office!
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The character indicator here Chuck or Brian, oh I mean Dan, is the means by which the furniture and art collection were acquired or in Graham's case looted from Whitman Walker Clinic.
10:44 am
What gives here? Thies has replaced Loza as Graham's bagman and they will now be funneling the cash through a campaign?
4:01 pm
Resign now Jim Graham!
5:13 pm
What was the last campaign that Chuck Sleaze worked on again? Oh yes, A Scott Bolden's.
7:59 pm
Go, Bryan, Go!