The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund announced today its endorsement of Clark Ray in his campaign for City Council, At-Large.

“I’m honored to receive the endorsement of the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund,” said Ray. “The Victory Fund’s candidate evaluation process was rigorous, and we’re proud to have made the grade.”

The Victory Fund is “committed to maximizing resources by supporting candidates who have solid campaign plans and the capacity to win,” according to the organization’s website. The Victory Fund rigorously evaluates candidates in making endorsements of openly gay and lesbian individuals for office at the local, state and federal levels. “Candidates go through a rigorous endorsement process, including in-depth interviews with candidates, staffers and community members,” the organization states. The Victory Fund’s list of qualified and endorsed candidates receive vital support, most notably promotion to its proven network of donors nationwide. The organization, created in 1991, enjoyed a nearly 70% win rate in the 2009 election cycle.

Ray said the Victory Fund endorsement comes at a critical moment as his campaign gears up for a final stretch to Primary Day, September 14.

“The Victory Fund endorsement comes just as we’re feeling great momentum: 10 new field workers hired, thousands of yard signs distributed, community leader endorsements from Anacostia to Georgetown, and increasing attention from observers citywide,” Ray said.

Tags: Clark Ray, DC Council At-Large, DC Council At-Large Candidate, Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund

Clark Ray, Democratic Candidate for DC City Council At-Large, today called on the city to include transgender persons in an important health report.

“After years of waiting for an LGBT Health Report that is required by law from the city, I was amazed to find the report lacked any information on transgender persons,” Ray said. “It is imperative that the city reach out to our transgender residents in every way and stop this neglect of a community.”

City Council is holding a hearing today on the health report’s failure to include information on transgender health. Ray said the missing data must be gathered, and new task forces gathered to resolve an important gap in resident care and respect.

“The District includes a vibrant community of transgender residents, many with specific needs, who are entitled to all the available services and benefits granted to all our residents. We have too often seen tragic and hurtful missteps from city agencies, and we know that transgender persons are often more susceptible to violent crime and bias than even other members of the LGBT community.

“While information on transgender health is not appropriately abundant, there are pieces of information available today that could have been included in this report. And for the full picture, I’ll push for funding and research to get that data.

Ray said that, if elected, he would:

1. Push for funding of a needs assessment of DC’s transgender community;
2. Work for an immediate report on transgender health, to supplement the city’s lacking LGB report;
3. Assemble a task force to independently audit all survey questions and other tools currently used in preparing the city’s health report, in order to recommend transgender inclusion.
4. Seek to establish a new cooperative roundtable on transgender issues, with representatives from the community, social service fields, related academia, and others as needed, to review and track challenges across city agencies.

“When I am on the Council, I will focus on the needs of this community and will be looking to have someone from the transgender community officially advising us, so that there is a constant focus on the community’s needs. I will work to end the bias and neglect that is often faced by the transgender community.”

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Tags: Clark Ray, DC Council At-Large, DC Council At-Large Candidate, LGBT, LGBT State of the Health Report, transgender

Ray stated: “There are artists, collectors, and gallery owners in every ward of this city, and it’s important that the city council take immediate action to protect this part of the economy. The recent Creative Economy report released by the District of Columbia showed how important creatives of all types — including chefs, media workers, and fine artists — are to the local economy.

When I am on the City Council, I will work to support the creative economy. I support passage of The Artist B18-451, the Artists Protection Act, because it will ensure that artists’ work doesn’t fall victim to the economy. I ask that the Council take quick action on this important bill.”

Tags: B18-451, Clark Ray, Creative Economy, DC Council At-Large, DC Council At-Large Candidate, The Artists Protection Act

Arrington Dixon, past Chairman of the DC City Council announced his support today for Clark Ray’s campaign in the At-Large Council race.

“Clark brings a refreshing new leadership to the District with his on-going committed support to Ward 8, and our East of the River issues and communities,” said Dixon. “This makes him my choice for At-Large to the City Council in the 2010 Election.”

“Mr. Dixon as well as anyone today knows what this city has been through and needs,” said Ray in reaction to Dixon’s endorsement. “Currently a resident in Ward 8, Mr. Dixon knows we need to end the divides that exist in this city, between black and white, rich and poor. Having his support mirrors what my campaign is all about.”

Dixon’s endorsement follows similar support late this week from former acting Director of Parks and Recreation Ximena Hartsock.

“Clark had the courage to stand with me when others wouldn’t,” said Hartsock. “That is why I am proud to stand with him in his race for Council. This election will be about choices. My friends, please give Clark the consideration that I wasn’t afforded.”

Ray said he views Hartsock’s support as another example of emphasizing residents’ needs over politics. “Ximena replaced me at the Department of Parks and Recreation,” Ray said. “She knows the strong foundation I laid at the Department – for meeting the needs of children, families, adults and seniors in all parts of the city. Her vote of confidence in me is yet another indicator that folks are tired of talk but want tangible results that make a real difference.”

Ray’s opponent, longtime incumbent Phil Mendelson, joined in what the Washington Post called “grudge voting” last October against confirming Hartsock as a permanent Director of Parks and Recreation. “Mendelson (D-At Large) acknowledged the outpouring of support for her and then voted against her,” the Post reported.

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Tags: Arrington Dixon, Clark Ray, DC Council At-Large, DC Council At-Large Candidate, Phil Mendelson, Ward 8, Ximena Hartsock

The following statement was released by Ms. Ximena Hartsock following the DC Latino Caucasus meeting on Thursday, June 24:

“I wish that I could join you on this important night. Unfortunately, time wouldn’t allow me. I want you to know that Clark is and always will be a friend of our community. Clark had the courage to stand with me when others wouldn’t. That is why I am proud to stand with him in his race for Council. This election will be about choices. My friends, please give Clark the consideration that I wasn’t afforded.”

Tags: Clark Ray, DC Council At-Large, DC Council At-Large Candidate, DC Latino Caucasus, Ximena Hartsock

June 19, 2010

Challenger Clark Ray, showing growing momentum, handily won the Ward 8 Democratic Straw Poll over longtime incumbent Phil Mendelson with a vote of 46 to 28.

“I want to thank all of my supporters,” Ray said, “We were told time and again it can’t be done, but we are proving this is a campaign on the move–to change how the Wilson Building responds to the families, small businesses, and neighborhoods which are calling out for change. This campaign is all about change and bringing it to the streets in every part of town.”

Ray is a former Director of Parks and Recreation, was a Constituent Services official under both mayors Williams and Fenty, served as a Reserve Police Officer, and was a high-ranking aide in the Clinton/Gore campaign and administration.

“I’ve built strong ties with neighborhoods across the city, building bridges across DC,” Ray said. “I’m honored to have Ward 8’s show of support, because Ward 8 knows I can and will bring people together to focus on the city’s needs.”

Ray’s campaign has placed over 1,000 signs in yards citywide, knocked on thousands of doors, and has received endorsements from key leaders, from Georgetown to Anacostia.

“I am so honored by the straw poll results of the Ward 8 Democrats,” Ray said. “They are leading this campaign’s way to victory across this city on Sept. 14th.”

Tags: Clark Ray, DC Council At-Large, DC Council At-Large Candidate, Phil Mendelson, Ward 8, Ward 8 DEMS, Ward 8 Straw Poll

June 18, 2010

Statement by Reverend Willie F. Wilson
Re: His Endorsement of Clark Ray For City Council At-Large

“I have enjoyed both getting to know and working with Clark. He knows that I support full civil equality for all residents of the District of Columbia – including those who comprise the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender & Questioning (GLBTQ) Community. I admire his willingness to reach out to all segments of this diverse city, to listen and to engage in discussions that are not always easy. This display of character and leadership is why I am supporting his bid for DC City Council At-Large.”

Statement by Clark Ray
Re: Reverend Willie F. Wilson Endorsement

“I have enjoyed working with Reverend Wilson over the past two years. As an openly gay man, I’ve always been treated with respect and dignity by Rev. Wilson and his family. But more importantly, he has been willing to have discussions with me – not always comfortable or easy – on a wide range of issues, including those that affect the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender & Questioning (GLBTQ) community. On three separate occasions, I have addressed the congregation of Union Temple Baptist Church. It is through friendships and alliances such as the one that I have been able to foster with Reverend Wilson that we, as a city, begin to build bridges, develop an understanding and respect for one another, and discover common ground. This is the type of leadership that I pledge to bring to the DC City Council.”

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Tags: Clark Ray, DC Council At-Large, DC Council At-Large Candidate

Washington, DC – Rev. Willie F. Wilson, pastor at DC’s Union Temple Baptist Church, has endorsed Clark Ray for DC City Council At-Large.

Rev. Wilson is a highly influential pastor, with a decades-long track record of activism for social justice at the local, national and international levels. Rev. Wilson’s Union Temple Baptist Church, located in Anacostia, hosts a congregation of over 2,000, and operates over forty ministries. Rev. Wilson has also served as a counselor and spiritual adviser to international heads of state and local and national government leaders.

For the past two years, Clark Ray and Rev. Wilson have collaborated and worked together to provide services for DC’s senior citizens, expand youth education and job opportunities, and to create strategies for productive alternatives to stiffer jail sentences for youth offenders.

“We’re a city of many walks of life, faiths and opinions, and it says something that Clark Ray and I have built a bridge together,” said Rev. Wilson in making his endorsement.

“Clark’s a man of faith,” Wilson continued. “Clark has been a tireless advocate for this city’s most vulnerable residents, a man of compassion and empathetic understanding, someone who knows how the city works and has demonstrated an ability not to just complain about problems, but to solve them.

“Clark is an outgoing individual with a unique ability to bring together divergent–and what some would write off as irreconcilable–groups. I am proud to endorse Clark and I will vigorously work for his election and personally canvass my community on his behalf.”

Ray said, “I look forward to working in partnership with Rev. Wilson to build bridges throughout all communities and neighborhoods as we heal and solve the problems of our City. I’m gratified that Rev. Wilson and others who toil daily in our neighborhoods, who are connected with people and their problems, have embraced my push for real transparency in education reform, more community policing and outreach programs, and solutions that will make our neighborhoods stronger, safer, better places to live.”

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Tags: Clark Ray, DC Council At-Large, DC Council At-Large Candidate, Willie F. Wilson

Tags: Clark Ray, DC Council At-Large, DC Council At-Large Candidate, Eugene Kinlow, Jonetta Rose Barras, WPFW

Challenger Clark Ray has out raised incumbent City Councilmember Phil Mendelson for the third straight filing period. Ray reported raising over $34,000 for this period, while the incumbent raised approximately $28,000. The reports also show that while Mendelson’s donations came primarily from special interests and long-time insiders, Ray garnered broad support, including from people new to DC politics.

“When I walk door to door every day, I find so many voters who don’t know the incumbent — have never met him or seen him,” Ray said. “They are responding to my message of working with neighborhoods to make real, transparent progress, my experience and track record of making DC government work, and the energy and new ideas I bring to a Council that sorely needs them. Voters are tired of political talk from the Wilson Building and constant bickering. We deserve better.”

Yesterday, At-Large candidate Kelvin Robinson stated he would drop out of the race. Ray noted, “Voters in the city now have a clear choice: the same old ideas and pointless in-fighting that have given us too little education, too much crime and not enough progress, or my vision of a new, energized Council that will work on behalf of the residents of DC. The donations to my campaign, the spread of Clark Ray yard signs in all wards across the city, and the countless volunteers who walk door to door with me every week all show that this campaign is headed to victory on Sept. 14th. This city is headed in a new and better direction.”

Tags: Clark Ray, DC Council At-Large, DC Council At-Large Candidate, Kelvin Robinson, Phil Mendelson