It’s a Race In Ward 2 (Updated)
Long time Ward 2 Councilmember Jack Evans will face at least one competitor in next year's election. Fiona Greig, a new mom and a consultant at McKinsey & Company, is planning a run, at least according to these Facebook and Twitter accounts.
Greig, who graduated from Stanford and has a PhD in public policy from Harvard (gross, right?), says she's an "entrepreneurial leader committed to public service who lives in Georgetown."
LL will update when he gets in touch with Greig. Until then, here's more her bio:
Committed to the needs of District residents, in 2009 Fiona started the District’s first financial inclusion program called “Bank on DC” to help unbanked District residents get access to financial services and education. She built a coalition of banks, credit unions, and community organizations to offer the Bank on DC account. Today 3,500 Bank on DC accounts have been opened, including 1,400 among youth in the District’s Summer Youth Employment Program. For her leadership with Bank on DC, she was nominated as a Young Women of Achievement by the Women’s Information Network.
Greig is part of a group of progressive candidates Greater Greater Washington's David Alpert (and others with political connections) have been recruiting. To knock off Evans, she'll likely need to get started raising some serious dough and knocking on a lot of doors. Evans raised $143,000 as of last reporting period and likely has the name recognition you'd expect for someone who has been in office for the last 20 years.
Update: LL might have overplayed the whole Greig-was-recruited-by-Alpert card. She tells LL that 1) she's still in exploratory mode (yeah right) and 2) she came to the decision to almost-run on her own, after consulting with a great number of people including Alpert.
One more thing: Greig's daughter is six weeks old, which prompted LL to ask if she was crazy for trying to run a labor-intensive political campaign while trying to survive the sleepless nights that newborns cause. Greig said having a baby has helped crystallize her rational for running. "I want every moment of my professional life to count," she says.
4:55 pm
by "others" do you mean charles allen in tommy wells' office and elissa silverman at dcfpi? alpert and his crew at greater greater WELLS could have done better if you ask me.
5:11 pm
Short answer? No.
5:25 pm
Do all Ward 2 Council candidates have to live in affluent Georgetown? As a native Wasingtonian, I've never heard of this woman, but if I lived in Ward 2, I would vote for her. I would vote for anyone over Jack Evans. I can't stand the man. He's an elitist only catering to the white wealthy.
5:34 pm
@Southeast Ken, you'll have to stow away that "native Washingtonian" tag. I'm not sure, but I think in GGW-ville, it is considered a great advantage for a candidate to be a resident for 4 years or less, with no ties to any community group, neighborhood watch, ANC, PSA, church group or longtime poker game. Easier to be entrepreneurial without a lot of ties that bind, I guess. We'll see who they come up with to run for office in your neck of the woods.
6:11 pm
I think we should all agree to vote out everyone on the council. We need someone to run against them all. Save your insults for the people currently embarrassing us all. At least this woman wants to run!
8:00 pm
trulee_pist, I think you're confusing GGW with DCist; the commentariat at the latter are the ones with a running gag about "long-time residents" who not only excuse a corrupt and inefficient government, but actively demand one. GGW's writers, by comparison, include a number of natives.
8:10 pm
Regardless of your opinion of Evans, the answer to this question is surely "no."
Evans has 20 years under his belt, $150k in the bank (at least), a HQ with staff, etc.. Less than 200 days until the election and a white woman from Georgetown wants to step into the race. Oh - and she has a new kid!
Seems like Alpert and others should have looked a little harder to find not only a candidate, but a VIABLE one.
Fiona will spend both $$$ and time away from her new kid that she'll never get back. And probably take a few dings along the way as well.
9:25 pm
Provided that she doesn't want to slash the budget one minute and muse about building Danny Snyder a mega-mega-stadium the next minute, I'd vote for. If I lived in Ward 2.
Also, the gag about "long-time residents" stings because it's true. The people who grew up inside and with DC's political culture are part of the problem here, and it's tough to see how anything changes without kicking all of them to the curb. DC politics is just a mechanism for transferring wealth and power from the city at large to the politicians and those whom they favor. It's like Putin's Russia, without the all-night vodka benders.
10:01 pm
She sort of looks like Evans's daughter, but aged 10 years.
10:03 pm
Oh, and I've been around Ward 2 for 20 years and have never heard of her.
Bet she polls less than Cary Silverman's 35%.
12:08 am
"Do all Ward 2 Council candidates have to live in affluent Georgetown?"
LOLOL... that's about all that's left of Ward 2. Jack is in the process of getting rid of Shaw through redistricting. Bye, bye, Leroy...
12:20 am
"Oh, and I've been around Ward 2 for 20 years and have never heard of her."
And she's probably never heard of you, Drez.
Fiona grew up in New York City and Asia. She graduated with honors in International Relations from Stanford University and earned a PhD in public policy from Harvard University in 2007. Prior to and during her PhD, Fiona worked on improving global outcomes for women and people living with HIV/AIDS. In 2008 she was selected as a one of twenty “Rising Talents” globally by the Women’s Forum.
A former triathlete, Fiona enjoys running and cycling along DC’s many bike paths. She is an avid 14-year bicycle commuter and can be spotted on her pink bike known affectionately as “Miss Piggy”.
2:40 am
With everything that has happened in District govt in the past year, having an energetic, new candidate is exactly what our city needs, even if she is unproven. I'm a lifelong DC resident and it is a shame how our current crop of councilmembers have besmirched our fine town. Just looking at her bio and a quick google search, I think Greig has the resume and experience to warrant serious consideration. We'll have to see what happens, of course, but don't the residents of DC want representation in government, not just talking heads who are clearly covering up for each other? Just that fact that she is running is indicative of the frustration across the city and is a great step in the right direction to making DC the city that it can be, that it should be.
8:35 am
I hope people in Ward 2 look at her resume and experience, clearly warrants serious consideration. It is about time a candidate is elected by soemthing other than their name recognition. The fact she just had a baby and wants to represent Ward 2 probably reflects her determination and willingness to stand up for all of us. We need more people like this elected to public office.
8:36 am
She has no chance of beating Evans.
And it would be interesting to FOIA all emails going back and forth between Councilmartyr Tommy Wells' office & Greater Greater Wells.
8:52 am
FOIA away I say.
I think she does have a chance, I am voting for her and so will all of my friends who normally do not vote.
9:13 am
@nlupike:
"I am voting for her and so will all of my friends who normally do not vote."
Unless you have 6,000 friends who you can guarantee will show up on election day (let alone have even heard of Fiona), this will only end with a loss of $$$ and baby time for her.
Truth hurts, yes.
9:26 am
lets see, last election 6,000 people didn't even vote...She will be fine. She has time to get out and knock on doors. I cannot and will not settle on voting for someone just because of their name...It is time for a fresh view in Ward 2.
It still amazes me how people think new mothers cannot run for office. If this was the father running, the fact of being a new dad would not be an issue. "baby time for her"...I think the fact that she is standing up for what she thinks is right will serve her baby just fine. Win or lose, her child will be fine. Her resume relfects a strong woman, so I am certain they will be ok...
9:29 am
I've had the good luck to work with Fiona while she was putting together the Bank on DC Coalition. While I may not have known about her intentions to run, I would fully support her. Ward 2 could do much worse than this Very smart, socially engaged, and compassionate resident. Name recognition might hurt her at the start, but it's not like everyone knowing CM Evans' name necessarily is helpful for him.
10:20 am
Interesting to say the least!
10:46 am
@nlupike:
Every year since Evans was 1st elected, he has received 5,000 votes. No matter what. Fiona cannot get 5,000 votes. 195 days until the election and she is still "exploring" a run.
Of course you are entitled to your opinion about Evans, but you also need to face the facts - you're gonna get 4 more years with him.
10:59 am
LoverySmile
Well I guess everyone who wants to see a change in Ward 2 should just stay home because no one can defeat Evans...
I will take my chances on the new person and see what she can do. Heck, Bill Clinton had 2 percent of the vote 200 days before he won the Dem. primary. Anything can happen. Her background appears to read she is a fighter, lets see what happens. If anything, Evans will be forced to actually spend money this time to win.
11:05 am
It will be the same old story with her too just like everyone else.
11:18 am
@nlupike:
"If anything, Evans will be forced to actually spend money this time to win."
Are you new to town? Last race, Evans raised and spent $750,000. I'm sure he will do it again.
I am not suggesting folks stay home and I don't have a dog in this race (my CM is not up for re-election). Simply stating the facts here - it will likely be an uphill (and losing) battle for Fionna. I just feel bad for her new baby....
11:25 am
Why do people keep bringing up her baby? Did people write this about Jack when he was running? Saying, his poor kids need him home...
I assume her baby will be fine, as will she. I actually feel good for her child. She can one day say "I had a mom who ran for office and raised me!". Just cause she has a baby should not be a factor. She is married after all so i assume her husband is supporting her.
Yes I am new to this town, 3 years now. I like it here. I hope everyone who is against her keeps writing like this. "She can's win/She will lose/Poor ole baby". Really I do. Will make it better for Fiona.
11:43 am
@nlupike:
your idealism is really sweet, but just trying to offer some historical perspective here. good luck as you waste your time....
1:04 pm
I've worked with Fiona too and I think she'd be great.
Jack Evans is in the pocket of too many developers and law firms in this town.
I'm not sure why his constituents like him so much anyway. He's really not a good council member. His ONLY claim to fame is being on the finance committee and after 20 years on the Council he knows less, a lot less, than anyone who's worked in finance for even a summer internship. (And Gandhi plays him like a fiddle all the time.)
1:11 pm
Will Fiona support legislation to allow raising chickens in our backyards? That is the big question in greater greater Washington DC.
1:26 pm
@Longtimerez
She sounds great. Really, she does. Overqualified, even. But that really doesn't change the essential quixotic nature of this.
Cary was also accomplished, had a solid platform, represented the portion of Ward 2 where everyone thought (and even today still thinks) Evans is weakest, and was much better known. And he got 35%. As I recall he didn't even cary his own precinct.
She's got a lot of work to do.
1:32 pm
this will not be easy...
2:46 pm
@ Ward 1
"Jack Evans is in the pocket of too many developers"
I say thank the Lord. Someone on the council has to make deals with developers. No deals, no developers, no $$$ for roads or schools or libraries. It's that simple.
Would you prefer to live in W7 or W8 where it is a wasteland and has CMs who couldn't make a deal if their life depended it?
3:35 pm
Check StealALittle.com for a good description of what seems like a corruption problem for Evans.
3:58 pm
I live in another Ward so I will not comment on the election, but I recall that my child was quite portable at that age. So what difference will it make if she campaigns with her baby tied to her or walks/bikes with the baby. Baby will know she's there. Someone young and energetic can pull it off. Some may recall when Mendelson's baby was little he had her in the office with a pack and play. So I don't see poor baby angle in here.
4:44 pm
@ Rob Halligan:
that is one busted website. you can get free website development programs out there, ya know.
if that is the level that the anti-evans movement operates at in ward 2, no wonder he's been around so long.
6:31 pm
This is too funny! White girl from Gtown tryin to unseat THE white man from Gtown. Save your money and time, Grieg! Evans got this joint locked down!
6:52 pm
Interesting how willing people are to negatively comment on a candidate they know nothing about, and how unwilling they are to learn. I'm looking forward to hearing more about Fiona and her platform...cheers to some new blood and a breath of fresh air in an all too stagnant DC council.
8:13 pm
“…sleepless nights that newborn's (newborns) cause. Greig said having a baby has helped crystalize her rational (rationale( for running.”
We know the economy is bad, but aren’t proofreaders/copy editors still essential in the news industry?
8:14 pm
Oops, clicked submit too soon!
“…sleepless nights that newborn's (newborns) cause. Greig said having a baby has helped crystalize her rational (rationale) for running.”
We know the economy is bad, but aren’t proofreaders/copy editors still essential in the news industry?
8:57 pm
NICE PHOTO!!!!
IT CAPTURES THE ESSENCE OF HER ENTHUSIASM.
JUST WHAT WE NEED IN D.C. ANOTHER M.Y.T. THINKING THEY HAVE ALL THE ANSWERS. THE PROBLEM IS SHE FORGOT TO PHRASE IT AS A QUESTION.
ANSWER: EVANS IS ESTABLISHED, NEUTRAL AND GOT LONG MONEY. YOU HAVE A NEW BABY, NO NAME AND AMBITION.
QUESTION: WHAT IS EPIC FAIL?
THE COUNCIL STYLE SHE IS ADMIYER-IN'
DONT BE MAD.
DCPS IS HIYER-IN'
SORRY MS. FIONA.
NEXT UP BY SEWERMAN-‘SILLYMON BROWN DIDN’T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY ON HIS SMARTTRIP AND WAS ARRESTED BY METRO POLICE FOR REFUSING TO PAY ESTABLISHED FARE’
10:48 pm
"She's got a lot of work to do."
@Drez--no question about it. But I'm betting that she's up for it. A challenge to Evans from a fellow Georgetowner will be a game-changer.
11:18 pm
She can run, and then become Cary Silverman's neighbor in the burbs.
11:47 pm
If she ran on a one-job-at-a-time platform she'd do a huge public service. Jack Evans has two jobs, he can be made to do without one of them.
12:16 am
I've worked with Fionna when she was with McKinsey and with the city. She is sharp, honest, caring and hard working. She'd make a great CM. We certainly need someone who'll clean up the Council.
1:00 am
Fionna is overated. She obviously has a very high opinion of herself. No chance against jack.
8:19 am
I'm sure Fiona is a great lady. Nice, smart, good mom. That does not make her a good politician. I attended her GU speech where she read from her iPad the whole time.
Hate to say it, but she is going to be eaten alive out there. Supporting the GU students and the campus plan will totally kill her in Gtown.
In short, 4 more years w/Jacko.
10:01 am
I'll vote against her just because she has Alpert's name associated with her. That's all I need to know.
10:13 am
Um, Shawboy, if you hadn't noticed, there are lots of folks these days who have tired of career politicians like Evans.
And supporting GU (and GW) students can cut both ways. Since the DC Dem April primary is really the election and same-day voter registration is in effect now, Evans is no sure thing.
11:03 am
@Anonymous,Too:
Haters gonna hate. 20 years is plenty of time to make lots of enemies. Not gonna argue that with you.
Point remains - Fiona is not the one to beat Jack.
4:22 pm
Nope, Shawboy, doesn't have anything to do with "haters"... 20 years is way-y-y-y too long for any one person to be in office. They get lazy, sloppy, arrogant and, yes, corrupt.
You are correct that Fiona is not the one to beat Jack... he'll do that all by himself.
4:49 pm
@Anonymous,Too
Please hook me up with whatever you are smoking if you think for a minute Evans will lose on April 3. Do the math, yo!
109 days til the election. Fiona who? Peeps in her own hood aint even heard of her. Show me the $$$. Oh yeah - she aint got any.
im no paul wellstone, but this formula does not add up to success on election day.
your points about evans may be valid - lazy, sloppy, arrogant and, yes, corrupt. this does not change reality. he will win.
1:24 pm
"im no paul wellstone, but..."
That's good, because he's dead.
"your points about evans may be valid - lazy, sloppy, arrogant and, yes, corrupt."
While my points weren't about Evans specifically, he is a card-carrying member of an outmoded class, the career politician.
"...this does not change reality. he will win."
Staunch supporters of every candidate, Evans included, need to believe that.
But, as I said above, "You are correct that Fiona is not the one to beat Jack... he'll do that all by himself."