The Gray Years

If there was ever a government administration that got off to a worse start than that of Mayor Vincent Gray, it’s difficult to find anywhere.

Elected by a wide margin over incumbent Adrian Fenty in 2010, Gray, who had run on a campaign slogan of “One City,” proceeded almost from the get-go to become embroiled in a campaign finance scandal and an investigation into his campaign by the District’s federal prosecutor which has been a part of his term like an unwanted stepchild knocking on the door loudly periodically.

Gray ran for re-election, because he felt that he had done a good job and deserved another term. In some ways that’s entirely true: the budget is stable; education reform is moving ahead apace, although not without sporadic controversies; crime on the whole is down; the city is a sea of building projects, with downtown especially transforming itself; Job prospects are better than they have been.

The burst of development throughout the city’s neighborhoods has put a damper on Gray’s signature “One City” initiative. It’s seen as gentrification in many parts of the city, widening the gap between rich and poor, and making it difficult for middle class residents to afford to stay in the city as rental and real estate prices rise and towers of condo buildings rise along with them.

Gray’s problem was and remains the ongoing federal investigation and its possible resolution in charges for him. Only days before the Democratic primary, businessman Jeffrey Thompson, who allegedly ran a shadow campaign, as part of Gray’s campaign, made a deal by which he implicated Gray. Gray lost the primary election.

It’s difficult to judge a mayoral term in which the mayor was the constant focus of an ongoing investigation. But the stewardship of the economy, the relative stability of the city is, all things considered, an achievement that Gray can take some credit for. As he leaves office by Jan. 2, he can take some solace in that, because the city is what it is at least in part because of his role as mayor, not in spite of his political and legal problems.

At Dunbar High School, the mayor gives his farewell speech Dec. 17.