Brandon Todd (politician)

Brandon Todd

Brandon Todd with Muriel Bowser, 2014
Member of the Council of the District of Columbia
from Ward 4
Assumed office
January 2, 2015
Preceded by Muriel Bowser
Personal details
Born (1983-05-25) May 25, 1983[1]
Political party Democratic Party
Alma mater Bowie State University, Trinity Washington University

Brandon Tristan Todd (born May 25, 1983[1]) is a Democratic politician who represents Ward 4 on the Council of the District of Columbia in Washington, D.C. Todd previously worked in the Council office of Muriel Bowser and in various campaign positions during her successful campaign for Mayor of the District of Columbia. Todd won a special election on May 10, 2015, succeeding Muriel Bowser, who was elected as Mayor. Todd was sworn in to office on May 14, 2015, and will serve the remainder of Bowser's term, which ends on December 31, 2016. On June 14, 2016 he won the Democratic primary for the position.[2]

Early life and education

Todd was born and raised in Washington, DC. He graduated from Eastern High School and has a communications degree from Bowie State University and a Master in Business Administration from Trinity Washington University.[3][4]

In 2005, while in college, Todd declared bankruptcy for more than $20,000 in unpaid debts. His creditors were primarily credit card companies, with charges from clothing retailers.[5]

Todd joined the Democratic Party in October 2007 after voting in five elections as a member of the Republican Party.[6]

Career

In 2012, Todd managed Bowser's campaign for reelection as Ward 4 Councilmember.[3] He served as Bowser's director of constituent services.[3] In the same year, Todd was elected as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention representing wards 3, 4, 5, and 7.[7]

In March 2013, Todd coordinated a construction job fair for workers skilled in mechanical, electrical, plumbing, concrete, rough carpentry, masonry, roofing, and waterproofing in Fort Totten Square.[8]

On June 5, 2013, Todd was elected chair of the Ward 4 Democrats.[9] He launched a new web site and Twitter account for the organization.[4] In 2014, he was Finance Director for Bowser's mayoral campaign.[3][4]

Campaign for Council

On December 4, 2014, Todd announced his candidacy for councilmember for Ward 4 after the position was vacated when Bowser was elected Mayor.[3] Within three days of his announcement, Todd had raised $50,000.[10] In the final campaign finance filing before the election, Todd had three times the financial reserves of his nearest rival.[11] Todd accepted donations from LLCs owned by companies, which allowed companies to donate additional money to the campaign.[12][13]

Todd advertised his close relationship with the mayor, saying he was the only candidate in the field who would be able to pick up the phone and discuss the ward’s needs directly with her.[14] At a debate, it was reported that Todd searched on Google when asked to name a historical figure whose leadership he admired. His campaign had no comment on the action.[15][16] Todd won with 42% of the vote.[14][17]

Positions

Todd said that he opposed awarding the operation of DC's prisons to a controversial private management company.[15] After his election, Todd said that the Council should not be involved in awarding the contract.[18]

While campaigning, Todd was one of the few candidates who did not oppose pop-ups, or housing extensions above the original height.[19] After winning office and in the wake of community protests, he said was not "outright" opposed to pop-ups and wanted to balance residents' concerns with developer's interests.[20]

In May 2015, Todd appointed Sherryl Hobbs Newman as his chief of staff.[21] In 2007, Newman administered the implementation of a new software system at the DC Department of Motor Vehicles. It was found to have grave flaws, resulting in Newman's departure within a year.[21] In 2005, Newman worked at the DC Office of Tax and Revenue amid the largest fraud ever perpetrated by a DC government employee and was asked to resign.[21]

In 2016, Todd announced his support for Mayor Bowser's plan to open a homeless shelter in Ward 4, hoping that it would be used as a catalyst for economic development.[22][23]

After a building was condemned in Ward 4 and its residents forced to vacate the property, Todd was described as not helpful. His office did not provide an immediate response.[24]

In June 2016, Todd opposed campaign finance reform legislation.[25] Introduced by Council chair Phil Mendelson, the law would have taken people who donated to political campaigns out of consideration from receiving government contracts valued at more than $100,000.[25]

Committees

Todd serves on the following committees:[26]

Election results

2016 Council of the District of Columbia, Ward 4, General Election[27][28]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Brandon Todd 32,600 95.03
Democratic Write-In 1,705 4.97
2015 Council of the District of Columbia, Ward 4, Special election[29][30]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Brandon Todd 4,584 43
Democratic Renee L. Bowser 2,311 21
Democratic Leon T. Andrews, Jr. 1,613 15
Democratic Dwayne M. Toliver 1,297 12
Democratic Ron Austin 185 2
Democratic Edwin W. Powell 132 1
Democratic Judi Jones 119 1
Democratic Acqunetta Anderson 117 1
Democratic Bobvala Tengen 91 1
Democratic Gwenellen Corley-Bowman 73 1
Democratic Douglass Sloan 55 1
Socialist Workers Glova Scott 53 0
Democratic Pedro Rubio, Jr. 37 0
Democratic Write-in 38 0

References

  1. 1 2 Todd, Brandon. "Reminder: join me tonight at 7pm at Sala Thai,3716 GA Ave NW. To celebrate my 33rd B-Day!". Twitter. May 25, 2016.
  2. ↑ Aaron Davis (June 15, 2015). "Vincent Gray wins D.C. Council seat, makes political comeback". Washington Post. Retrieved June 15, 2015.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Mike DeBonis (December 4, 2014). "Brandon Todd will seek Ward 4 D.C. Council seat, with Bowser's blessing". Washington Post. Retrieved April 9, 2015.
  4. 1 2 3 Aaron C. Davis and Abigail Hauslohner (June 4, 2014). "Person To Watch: Brandon Todd". Capital News. Retrieved April 29, 2015.
  5. ↑ Will Sommer (February 19, 2014). "Leading Ward 4 Candidate Filed for Bankruptcy in 2005 Over Debts to J. Crew, Nordstrom, Others". Washington City Paper. Retrieved April 29, 2015.
  6. ↑ Will Sommer (February 24, 2015). "Ward 4 Opponent Hits Brandon Todd on Republican Past, Residency". Washington City Paper. Retrieved April 30, 2015.
  7. ↑ Wright, James (March 22, 2012). "D.C. Political Roundup". Washington Informer. p. 5.
  8. ↑ "D.C. community calendar, March 21 to 28, 2013". The Washington Post. March 21, 2013. p. T26.
  9. ↑ Wright, James (July 13, 2013). "D.C. Political Roundup". Washington Informer. p. 5.
  10. ↑ Will Sommer (February 5, 2015). "Bowser's Pick Blows Out Ward 4 Competition in Fundraising". Washington City Paper. Retrieved April 29, 2015.
  11. ↑ Will Sommer (April 23, 2015). "Ward 4 Ex-Candidate Backs the Only Guy With Any Money Left". Washington City Paper. Retrieved April 29, 2015.
  12. ↑ Will Sommer (February 11, 2015). "Premium Rush: Bowser Picks Grab Campaign Cash Before Loophole Closes". Washington City Paper. Retrieved April 30, 2015.
  13. ↑ Will Sommer (March 6, 2015). "Ward 4 Rival Hits Brandon Todd on LLC Loophole". Washington City Paper. Retrieved April 30, 2015.
  14. 1 2 Aaron C. Davis and Abigail Hauslohner (April 29, 2015). "Bowser protege Brandon Todd wins Ward 4 seat; Ward 8 too close to call". Washington Post. Retrieved April 29, 2015.
  15. 1 2 Will Sommer (April 23, 2015). "Mr. Todd's Wild Ride: Muriel Bowser's Candidate Coasts in Ward 4". Washington City Paper. Retrieved April 30, 2015.
  16. ↑ Ben Mathis-Lilley (April 24, 2014). "Politician Caught Googling "Historical Figure" After Being Asked to Name Admired Historical Figure". Slate. Retrieved April 29, 2015.
  17. ↑ "Ward 8 Special Election Too Close to Call". Capital News. April 29, 2015. Retrieved April 30, 2015.
  18. ↑ Will Sommer (April 30, 2015). "Brandon Todd's First Flip-Flop". Washington City Paper. Retrieved April 30, 2015.
  19. ↑ "Ward 4 DC Council candidates respond to KSDA Questionnaire". Kennedy Street News. Apr 25, 2015. Retrieved April 21, 2016.
  20. ↑ MIKE CONNEEN (May 26, 2015). "D.C. residents hold rally to protest 'pop-up' houses". ABC News. Retrieved April 9, 2016.
  21. 1 2 3 Will Sommer (May 27, 2015). "Todd's Chief of Staff Comes With Not-So-Impressive Past". Washington City Paper. Retrieved July 29, 2015.
  22. ↑ City Desk (February 14, 2016). "D.C. General Closure: City Officials Hold Meetings in All Eight Wards". Washington Times. Retrieved February 17, 2016.
  23. ↑ Ryan M. McDermott (February 16, 2016). "D.C. mayor's homeless shelter plan lacks transparency, critics say". Washington Times. Retrieved February 17, 2016.
  24. ↑ Will Sommer (March 10, 2016). "Forced Exit Looms for Tenants in Condemned Building". Washington City Paper. Retrieved March 10, 2016.
  25. 1 2 Will Sommer (June 21, 2016). "Council Lame Ducks Help Block Mendelson's Finance Reform". Washington City Paper. Retrieved June 21, 2016.
  26. ↑ "Councilmember Brandon T. Todd". Retrieved 15 June 2016.
  27. ↑ "Certified Results, Special Election for Ward 4 and Ward 8 Members of the Council, 2015". District of Columbia Board of Elections. May 14, 2015.
  28. ↑ "List of Candidates in Ballot Order in the April 28, 2015 Ward 4 and Ward 8 Members of the Council Special Election" (PDF). District of Columbia Board of Elections. April 14, 2015.
  29. ↑ "Certified Results, Special Election for Ward 4 and Ward 8 Members of the Council, 2015". District of Columbia Board of Elections. May 14, 2015.
  30. ↑ "List of Candidates in Ballot Order in the April 28, 2015 Ward 4 and Ward 8 Members of the Council Special Election" (PDF). District of Columbia Board of Elections. April 14, 2015.
Council of the District of Columbia
Preceded by
Muriel Bowser		 Ward 4 Member, Council of the District of Columbia
2015– 		Incumbent
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