Brandon Todd (politician)
Brandon Todd | |
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Brandon Todd with Muriel Bowser, 2014
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Member of the Council of the District of Columbia from Ward 4 |
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Assumed office January 2, 2015 |
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Preceded by | Muriel Bowser |
Personal details | |
Born | [1] | May 25, 1983
Political party | Democratic Party |
Alma mater | Bowie State University, Trinity Washington University |
Brandon Tristan Todd (born May 25, 1983[1]) is a Democratic politician who represents Ward 4 on the Council of the District of Columbia in Washington, D.C. Todd previously worked in the Council office of Muriel Bowser and in various campaign positions during her successful campaign for Mayor of the District of Columbia. Todd won a special election on May 10, 2015, succeeding Muriel Bowser, who was elected as Mayor. Todd was sworn in to office on May 14, 2015, and will serve the remainder of Bowser's term, which ends on December 31, 2016.
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Early life and education
Todd was born and raised in Washington, DC. He graduated from Eastern High School and has a communications degree from Bowie State University and a Master in Business Administration from Trinity Washington University.[2][3]
In 2005, while in college, Todd declared bankruptcy for more than $20,000 in unpaid debts. His creditors were primarily credit card companies, with charges from clothing retailers.[4]
Todd joined the Democratic Party in October 2007 after voting in five elections as a member of the Republican Party.[5]
Career
In 2012, Todd managed Bowser's campaign for reelection as Ward 4 Councilmember. [2] He served as Bowser's director of constituent services.[2] In the same year, Todd was elected as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention representing wards 3, 4, 5, and 7.[6]
In March 2013, Todd coordinated a construction job fair for workers skilled in mechanical, electrical, plumbing, concrete, rough carpentry, masonry, roofing, and waterproofing in Fort Totten Square.[7]
On June 5, 2013, Todd was elected chair of the Ward 4 Democrats.[8] He launched a new web site and Twitter account for the organization.[3] In 2014, he was Finance Director for Bowser's mayoral campaign. [3][2]
Campaign for Council
On December 4, 2014, Todd announced his candidacy for councilmember for Ward 4 after the position was vacated when Bowser was elected Mayor.[2] Within three days of his announcement, Todd had raised $50,000.[9] In the final campaign finance filing before the election, Todd had three times the financial reserves of his nearest rival. [10] Todd accepted donations from LLCs owned by companies, which allowed companies to donate additional money to the campaign.[11][12]
Todd advertised his close relationship with the mayor, saying he was the only candidate in the field who would be able to pick up the phone and discuss the ward’s needs directly with her. [13] At a debate, it was reported that Todd searched on Google when asked to name a historical figure whose leadership he admired. His campaign had no comment on the action. [14][15] Todd won with 42% of the vote.[13][16]
Positions
Todd said that he opposed awarding the operation of DC's prisons to a controversial private management company.[14] After his election, Todd said that the Council should not be involved in awarding the contract.[17]
While campaigning, Todd was one of the few candidates who did not oppose pop-ups, or housing extensions above the original height.[18] After winning office and in the wake of community protests, he said was not "outright" opposed to pop-ups and wanted to balance residents' concerns with developer's interests.[19]
In May 2015, Todd appointed Sherryl Hobbs Newman as his chief of staff.[20] In 2007, Newman administered the implementation of a new software system at the DC Department of Motor Vehicles. It was found to have grave flaws, resulting in Newman's departure within a year.[20] In 2005, Newman worked at the DC Office of Tax and Revenue amid the largest fraud ever perpetrated by a DC government employee and was asked to resign.[20]
In 2016, Todd announced his support for Mayor Bowser's plan to open a homeless shelter in Ward 4, hoping that it would be used as a catalyst for economic development.[21][22]
After a building was condemned in Ward 4 and its residents forced to vacate the property, Todd was described as not helpful. His office did not provide an immediate response.[23]
Committees
Todd serves on the following committees:[24]
- Committee on Business, Consumer and Regulatory Affairs
- Committee on Education
- Committee on Transportation and the Environment
Election results
2015 Council of the District of Columbia, Ward 4, Special election[25][26] | ||||
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Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
Democratic | Brandon Todd | 4,584 | 43 | |
Democratic | Renee L. Bowser | 2,311 | 21 | |
Democratic | Leon T. Andrews, Jr. | 1,613 | 15 | |
Democratic | Dwayne M. Toliver | 1,297 | 12 | |
Democratic | Ron Austin | 185 | 2 | |
Democratic | Edwin W. Powell | 132 | 1 | |
Democratic | Judi Jones | 119 | 1 | |
Democratic | Acqunetta Anderson | 117 | 1 | |
Democratic | Bobvala Tengen | 91 | 1 | |
Democratic | Gwenellen Corley-Bowman | 73 | 1 | |
Democratic | Douglass Sloan | 55 | 1 | |
Socialist Workers | Glova Scott | 53 | 0 | |
Democratic | Pedro Rubio, Jr. | 37 | 0 | |
Democratic | Write-in | 38 | 0 |
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Todd, Brandon. "Reminder: join me tonight at 7pm at Sala Thai,3716 GA Ave NW. To celebrate my 33rd B-Day!". Twitter. May 25, 2016.
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- ↑ http://dccouncil.us/council/brandon-todd
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Council of the District of Columbia | ||
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Preceded by | Ward 4 Member, Council of the District of Columbia 2015– |
Incumbent |