Mayor’s Backer Becomes Election Rival

An activist pastor launched his write-in candidacy for the District of Columbia’s Democratic mayoral nomination on Monday, presenting a new challenge for embattled Mayor Anthony Williams.

“Mayor Williams was not the leader that we hoped for,” said the Rev. Willie Wilson, who presides over the 8,500-member Union Temple Baptist Church.

“There are people in every ward in this city who want a city that responds to all of its citizens and not just some of its citizens,” Wilson said during a half-hour speech. He launched his campaign in the oratory style honed from the pulpit of the Anacostia area church where he’s been a minister for 29 years.

Williams has been forced to mount a write-in campaign after thousands of fraudulent signatures were found on his nominating petitions and he lost a court challenge to be placed on the Sept. 10 primary ballot. The ballot will feature the names of four obscure local Democrats.

Wilson--appointed by Williams to the board of trustees of the University of the District of Columbia--was an early supporter of Williams four years ago, campaigning with the low-key bureaucrat in predominantly black and working-class sections of the city.

He now says he was prompted to enter the race in part because of Williams’ unsuccessful attempt to relocate the university, his backing of the closure of the city’s lone public hospital and his efforts to replace the elected school board with a smaller elected and appointed body.