Moten Promotes Book, Blasts Alexander
Ronald Moten, the Republican nominee for the Ward 7 D.C. Council member seat, recently penned a book in which he talks about the violence and the hardships he has experienced along with the ups and downs of being civically engaged in District politics.
Moten, 41, hosted a book signing on the evening of Oct. 9 to promote his new book, "Drinking Muddy Water: The Evolution of a Civil Rights Republican." He was joined by dozens of supporters aboard a yacht owned by Johnnie T. Osborne, an affluent black entrepreneur, who happens to be a managing partner of Capital Yacht Charters and Fort Washington Potomac River Tours. Moten wrote "Drinking Muddy Water" – published by Sudden Change Media in Northwest – to tell his life story and to apprise readers of his political views and impressions of various District politicians.
"I recognize the mistakes that I have made in life," he said.
He writes about his mother's addiction to drugs early in his life, hustling as a drug dealer and his time in prison. He also tells readers about his work for Cease Fire Don't Smoke the Brothers and as the co-founder of Peaceoholics, and his relationship with former D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty and D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray.
Moten took the opportunity during the cruise to reiterate his opinion of Gray which is included in the book, and to tell the audience of more than 50, that his Nov. 6 general election foe – D.C. Council member Yvette Alexander [D-Ward 7] – isn't up to the job.
"She's not doing anything," Moten said. "She says that we should charge people $1,000 for speeding tickets like it is nothing. She has also misused her constituent service fund by not helping the poor people in her ward."
He said District residents should give him a chance to serve on the D.C. Council because he's ethical and a true leader.
"I am a trendsetter and I am proud to be a civil rights Republican," he said. "There are bad apples in every party – both Republican and Democrat. We know that there are bad Democrats because of the D.C. Council."
PAC Makes Endorsements
The DC Chamber of Commerce Political Action Committee [PAC] endorsed its candidates for the Nov. 6 general and special elections on Oct. 9. The candidates are all incumbents: interim D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson and D.C. Council members Jack Evans [D-Ward 2], Muriel Bowser [D-Ward 4], Yvette Alexander [D-Ward 7] and Vincent Orange [D-At Large].
No candidate in the race for the second at-large seat or the Ward 8 D.C. Council member race received an endorsement. In D.C. political circles, a nod from the powerful PAC, gives candidates credibility in the business community and serves as a vehicle to ask corporate leaders for donations. Max Farrow, the communications director for the chamber, said that the candidates are considered pro-business.
"The DC Chamber of Commerce PAC believes that this slate will improve business opportunity, foster growth across the city and restore stability to City Hall," said Farrow, 36.
Evans, 58, and Bowser, 40, are running unopposed. Mendelson, 59, is supported by the PAC because "the current state of the D.C. Council demands an effective and approachable leader," said David Julyan, 61, chairman of the PAC.
Alexander, 51, is an interesting selection for the PAC in that they supported one of her opponents, Tom Brown, in the April 3 Democratic primary.
"Yvette Alexander maintains an open dialogue with the business community and seeks our input for implementing mechanisms that improve development opportunities," Julyan said.
Julyan said that Vincent Orange has proven his dedication to the District time after time. "He is constantly seeking policies that will ensure the long-term improvement of our city."
He said that lack of support among the members of the PAC is the primary reason why no candidates were chosen in the at large and Ward 8 races.
"We reviewed the voting records and information on the candidates in those races and none of the candidates received sufficient support among the PAC members for an endorsement," Julyan said. "This is not unusual for us. Sometimes, we just don't endorse anyone in a race."