{"id":2332798,"date":"2024-08-28T16:55:55","date_gmt":"2024-08-28T20:55:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/dc-councilman-trayon-whites-arrest-spurs-ward-8-write-in-frenzy-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2024-08-28T16:58:27","modified_gmt":"2024-08-28T20:58:27","slug":"dc-councilman-trayon-whites-arrest-spurs-ward-8-write-in-frenzy-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/dc-councilman-trayon-whites-arrest-spurs-ward-8-write-in-frenzy-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"DC Councilman Trayon White&#8217;s arrest spurs Ward 8 write-in frenzy &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">26<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fdc-councilman-trayon-whites-arrest-spurs-ward-8-write-in-frenzy-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2332798&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>District of Columbia Councilman Trayon White was recently arrested for allegedly accepting a $150,000 bribe, yet he remains on the ballot for the\u200d upcoming \u2064elections. Balloting deadlines have passed, but White can still withdraw his candidacy until September 12. He is the sole Democratic candidate in a predominantly Democratic district, \u2063giving him an edge over his Republican opponent, Nate Derenge. However, several\u2064 political rivals and Democratic leaders within Ward 8\u200d are considering\u2064 running as write-in candidates, including former State\u2062 Board \u200cof Education representative Markus\u2064 Batchelor and others with \u2062local political\u2064 experience.<\/p>\n<p>Despite the scandal, \u2062White\u2019s supporters continue \u2064to back him, labeling him as &#8220;the people&#8217;s champ.&#8221; Tensions have escalated, with reports of an assault on\u200b a whistleblower who reported White\u200c to the FBI. While write-in candidates often struggle\u200d to gain\u200d traction, political activities in Ward 8 have \u2063intensified following White&#8217;s \u2064arrest.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">DC Councilman Trayon White&rsquo;s arrest spurs Ward 8 write-in frenzy: &lsquo;Buzzards start to swarm&rsquo;<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1688693\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/d-c-council\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>District of Columbia<\/a> Councilman Trayon White was <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/jail\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>arrested <\/a>last week for allegedly accepting a $150,000 bribe, but his name remains on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/ballots\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>ballot <\/a>and there is a flurry of candidates vying to replace him.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>The deadline for candidates to be added to the ballot has passed, and White still has until Sept. 12 to drop his name. However, as he is the only Democratic candidate in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/hillary-clinton-warns-that-progressive-dems-could-ruin-their-partys-chances-in-2022\/\" title=\"Hillary Clinton Warns That \u2018Progressive\u2019 Dems Could Ruin Their Party\u2019s Chances In 2022\">deep-blue district<\/a> and it is a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/kamala-who-has-not-ruled-out-packing-supreme-court-tells-conference-an-independent-judiciary-is-critical-to-a-healthy-democracy\/\" title=\"Kamala, Who Has Not Ruled Out Packing Supreme Court, Tells Conference: \u2018An Independent Judiciary Is Critical To A Healthy Democracy\u2019\">presidential election year<\/a>, he is likely to beat his Republican challenger, Nate Derenge.<\/p>\n<p>However several of White&rsquo;s political rivals and other Democratic leaders in Ward 8 are flirting with the idea of running as a write-in for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/los-angeles-school-officials-call-threat-to-sue-district-to-reopen-campuses-a-political-stunt\/\" title=\"Los Angeles School Officials Call Threat To Sue District To Reopen Campuses A \u2018Political Stunt\u2019\">city councilman<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Among the write-in candidates are Markus Batchelor, a former State Board of Education representative; Olivia Henderson, an ex-Bellevue advisory neighborhood commissioner; Salim Adofo, a Congress Heights advisory neighborhood commissioner; Rahman Branch, a former Ballou High School Principal; and Charles Wilson, the head of the District of Columbia Democratic Party.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;When the carcass falls to the ground, the buzzards start to swarm,&rdquo; Stuart Anderson, the second vice president of the Ward 8 Democrats, <a href=\"https:\/\/washingtoncitypaper.com\/article\/747591\/trayon-whites-bribery-arrest-kicks-off-a-political-free-for-all-in-ward-8\/?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=newsletter_axioslocal_dc&amp;stream=top\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>told<\/a> the <em>Washington City Paper<\/em>. While Anderson assisted in White&rsquo;s 2016 campaign, he has since worked to see him removed from office.<\/p>\n<p>But even this scandal hasn&rsquo;t shaken White&rsquo;s supporters who consider him to be &ldquo;the people&rsquo;s champ.&rdquo; One of his supporters allegedly assaulted one of the men who turned White into the FBI outside of a Maryland restaurant, according to an <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/AlexKomaWCP\/status\/1827006653411012620\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>Instagram story.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Write-in candidates rarely receive the support needed to get elected, with the exception being Tony Williams, an incumbent mayor who was forced to run a write-in campaign in 2002 after being removed from the Democratic ticket for campaign violations.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;To run a write-in, you&rsquo;re either showing your misunderstanding of the process or just trying to make a statement,&rdquo; at-large SBOE representative Jacque Patterson told the <em>Washington City Paper<\/em>.&nbsp;&ldquo;If Trayon White&rsquo;s name is on the ballot, he&rsquo;s going to win.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>White is expected to use his seat in a plea agreement as prosecutors in past cases have reduced penalties against elected officials if they resign.<\/p>\n<p>The Council of the District of Columbia, which already sought to boot White five <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/house-votes-to-renew-violence-against-women-act\/\" title=\"House votes to renew \u2018Violence Against Women Act\u2019\">years ago due<\/a> to ethical violations, has established a new ad hoc committee to investigate his conduct and allegations that he doesn&rsquo;t live in the ward but rather in a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trying-to-avoid-a-florida-waukesha-condo-evacuated-due-to-imminent-threat-of-collapse\/\" title=\"\u2018Trying To Avoid A Florida\u2019: Waukesha Condo Evacuated Due To \u2018Imminent Threat Of Collapse\u2019\">luxury high-rise<\/a> in Navy Yard.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/washingtonexaminer.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title><strong><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The Council&rsquo;s ad hoc committee is expected to give its findings regarding possible sanctions on White by Dec. 16.<\/p>\n<p>If White does win his reelection bid in November, the D.C. Council would wait to hold a vote on his tenure until after he is sworn in in January 2025, which could lead to a special election.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1688693\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1688693\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>DC Councilman Trayon White&#8217;s recent arrest has ignited a surge of interest in write-in candidates for Ward 8. White was taken into custody last week on charges of accepting a $150,000 bribe, yet he remains on the ballot. Although the deadline for new candidates has passed, White still has until September 12 to withdraw his name. As the sole Democratic candidate in this heavily Democratic district during a presidential election year, he is expected to defeat his Republican opponent, Nate Derenge. However, several political rivals and other Democratic figures from Ward 8 are considering running as write-in candidates for the city council position. Notable potential write-in contenders include Markus Batchelor (former State Board of Education member), Olivia Henderson (former Bellevue advisory neighborhood commissioner), Salim Adofo (Congress Heights advisory neighborhood commissioner), Rahman Branch (ex-Ballou High School Principal), and Charles Wilson (head of the District of Columbia Democratic Party). Stuart Anderson, second vice president of the Ward 8 Democrats, remarked that &#8220;when the carcass falls to the ground, buzzards start to swarm,&#8221; indicating opportunism among rivals. Despite this scandal, many of White&#8217;s supporters continue to view him as &#8220;the people&#8217;s champ.&#8221; One supporter reportedly assaulted an individual who had informed the FBI about White outside a Maryland restaurant. Historically, write-in candidates struggle to gain sufficient support unless they are well-known figures; Tony Williams is one exception who successfully ran as a write-in after being removed from his party\u2019s ticket in 2002 due to campaign violations. Jacque Patterson from SBOE commented that running as a write-in often reflects either ignorance about electoral processes or an intent to make a statement; he believes if Trayon White remains on the ballot, he will win again. It is anticipated that White may negotiate plea terms with prosecutors since past cases have seen reduced penalties for elected officials who resign amid scandals. The D.C. Council previously attempted to remove him five years ago over ethical issues and has now formed an ad hoc committee to investigate allegations regarding his residency\u2014specifically claims that he lives outside Ward 8 in luxury accommodations at Navy Yard instead. This committee is expected to report its findings by December 16 regarding potential sanctions against him. If re-elected in November, any vote concerning his tenure would be postponed until after he takes office in January 2025\u2014potentially leading towards a special election thereafter<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2542,"featured_media":2332799,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Trayon-White-.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[538],"tags":[37987,39586,39587,39588],"class_list":["post-2332798","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington-examiner","tag-dc-councilman","tag-trayon-white","tag-ward-8","tag-write-in-election"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Trayon-White-.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2332798","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2542"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2332798"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2332798\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2332799"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2332798"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2332798"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2332798"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}