Phil Mendelson launches full term bid for D.C. Council Chairman

Interim D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson snagged his petitions on Monday in his bid to permanently win the seat in the general elections this November. According to sources, Councilmember Vincent B. Orange, D-At Large, has decided he’s not running for the chairman’s seat to focus on his at-large contest.

Mendelson took over chairman last week after he was selected by his colleagues to serve on an interim basis, pending November’s election. The 59-year-old replaced former D.C. Chairman Kwame Brown, 41, who resigned earlier this month after he pleaded guilty to a federal misdemeanor and bank fraud charges, which could hold a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison, albeit Brown will probably serve a lesser sentence.

Mendelson has taken his first step towards gathering his campaign. He is optimistic that voters in the nation’s capital will view him as a solid leader who can unite a council distraught by recent resignations of significant members, and divisive internal and public disputes among some members. Mendelson said, “The council right now needs stability and I can offer that as we work to regain the public’s trust.”