Two years ago, LL nominated neo-noir novelist George Pelecanos for D.C. mayor. He’d be the perfect candidate to really grit up the city, Silver Spring residency aside.

Pelecanos didn’t take LL up on the offer, but he’s getting involved in District politics anyway. Mayoral hopeful and Busboys & Poets owner Andy Shallal says he’s received Pelecanos’ endorsement.

Pelecanos read from passages of his 2011 novel The Cut at a campaign fundraiser last night. A novel about an investigator and a “high profile crime boss” seems like a weird pick for a mayoral campaign, but Shallal says the passages were education-themed.

Following thumbs-ups from actor Danny Glover and writer Barbara Ehrenreich, Pelecanos is Shallal’s third random, but somehow very fitting, celebrity endorsement. LL’s waiting to hear back from a Pelecanos representative on the endorsement.

Shallal says Pelecanos was one of the first authors to read at Busboys & Poets. “His books really tell the story of D.C., and I almost think they should be required reading for anybody moving into the city,” Shallal says.