Gay and Lesbian Activists Alliance of Washington, DC
P.O. Box 75265, Washington, DC 20013
202-667-5139
April 13, 2012
Contact: Rick Rosendall, Political Vice President
202-667-5139
GLAA releases Ward 5 D.C. Council candidate ratings
The Gay and Lesbian Activists Alliance of Washington, D.C. (GLAA) issues its candidate ratings for the May 15 special election for Ward 5 Councilmember. GLAA held its ratings meeting on April 10. A key to available ratings points is provided below.The following are explanations of the individual ratings. Note: Ratings marked with an asterisk (*) indicate a candidate who did not return GLAA's questionnaire and was therefore rated solely on his or her known record on GLAA's issues.
Democratic candidate Drew E. Hubbard (+5.5) agrees with GLAA on every issue. He did not display the depth of knowledge in his responses that we like, and he does not have a strong record; but the content of his responses was better than that of his rivals. This is a good rating for a first-time candidate.
Republican candidate Tim Day (+5) generally agrees with GLAA but differs on vouchers to religious schools and supports prostitution free zone legislation in principle. He believes the law can be implemented without profiling. He did not provide details. He has openly opposed medical marijuana in Ward 5. His record on issues of concern to GLAA is mixed, but overall positive.
Democratic candidate Kenyan McDuffie (+4) disagreed with GLAA on required training and education for the Director of OHR, and wasn't definitive on PFZs, vouchers, adult businesses. His lack of specifics and definitive answers did not boost his rating. His history of work with the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice was noted in his favor.
Democratic candidate Rae Zapata (+2) disagrees with GLAA on Prostitution Free Zones, and had limited understanding of many other issues. She has no record on our issues.
Democratic candidate Ron L. Magnus (+1.5) agreed with GLAA on most issues, but failed to explain his answers. He has no known record on our issues.
Democratic candidate Delano Hunter (+0.5) generally agrees with GLAA except for vouchers and availability of medical marijuana cultivation centers, and he supports prostitution-free zones. His position on marriage equality is that he respects the law, but says nothing of marriage equality itself. Hunter took funding from the National Organization for Marriage (NOM) in 2010. He now apologizes for the anti-gay mailers sent by NOM to support his 2010 campaign, but did not repudiate them at the time, and spoke in support of NOM at one of their rallies. Hunter's support for the Stadium Club after it was implicated in stealing from an AIDS charity, is also disturbing in that he took $5,500 in bundled donations and then opposed any additional strip clubs which would compete against Stadium Club.
Independent candidate John C. Cheeks (0*) did not submit a questionnaire and has no known record.
Democratic candidate Shelly Gardner (0*) did not submit a questionnaire and has no known record.
Democratic candidate Kathy Henderson (0*) did not submit a questionnaire and has no known record.
Democratic candidate Ruth E. Marshall (0*) did not submit a questionnaire and has no known record.
Democratic candidate Frank Wilds (0*) did not submit a questionnaire and has no known record.
GLAA rates candidates on a scale of -10 to +10, based on their answers to our questionnaire and their record on behalf of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. The questionnaire addresses a variety of issues including marriage and family, public health, public safety, human rights, youth and seniors, and defending LGBT consumers and businesses. The GLAA agenda, questionnaire, and complete candidate responses are available online at www.glaa.org.All candidates were provided a copy of "Agenda: 2012," GLAA's comprehensive policy brief on LGBT issues in Washington, D.C.
Ratings should not be interpreted as endorsements. GLAA does not endorse candidates in partisan elections.
GLAA has rated candidates in every D.C. primary and general election since 1971. Independent council candidates will be rated prior to the general election.
Founded in 1971, the Gay and Lesbian Activists Alliance of Washington, D.C. is an all-volunteer, non-partisan, non-profit political organization that defends the civil rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in the Nation's Capital. We are the nation's oldest continuously active gay and lesbian civil rights organization.
GLAA Ratings for May 15, 2012 Special Election
To see the full text of a candidate's questionnaire responses, click on his or her name below.
Ward 5 DC Councilmember
Note: Ratings marked with an asterisk (*) indicate a candidate who did not return a questionnaire
and was therefore rated solely on his or her known record on GLAA's issues.
Key to available ratings points
| Questionnaire: yes/no | +/- 2 points |
| Questionnaire: substantive grasp of issues | +/- 4 points |
| Record: | +/- 3 points |
| Championship: taking the lead on an issue of concern to gay men and lesbians | +/- 1 point |
| Total available: | +/- 10 points |
Click here to view a detailed breakdown of all candidates' ratings points.
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