ANC6B Hine Supporters Survive Election Challenge – Incumbent Critchfield Unseated

ANC6B Hine Supporters Survive Election Challenge – Incumbent Critchfield Unseated

by Larry Janezich

According to the unofficial tally of votes in ANC6B, Commissioners Frishberg and Pate handily won re-election in races that turned on issues associated with the controversial Hine development.  In another Hine-associated race, Philip Peisch defeated Hine critic Randy Steer in a bid to succeed retiring Hine supporter Norm Metzger.

It appears that at least Frishberg and Pate had the tacit support of Councilmember Tommy Wells, who had vowed to endorse whatever amenities and benefits ANC6B could wrest from the developer on behalf of the community.  The two commissioners were the designated negotiators who brought the agreement to the ANC which passed it on a narrow 6-4 vote.  Wells’ office did not respond to a query whether he endorsed any of the ANC candidates or if any candidate had requested his endorsement, although incumbent Oldenburg’s campaign signs – recycled from two years ago – still bore a sticker indicating Wells’ endorsement.  Two years ago Wells’ went on record endorsing the re-election of the then current ANC, control of which was subsequently taken over by a slate of reformers, including Frishburg and Pate.

Changing demographics on Capitol Hill were a factor in both the Frishberg and Pate races, as both candidates drew support from voters with young families, a demographic those two candidates share.  That factor was at play as well in the victory of challenger Nicole Opkins over Jared Critchfield in a three-way race that was otherwise noteworthy for the reported vandalism of Critchfield’s campaign signs and those of Opkins’ other opponent, Chris Harlow.

The effect of demographics was also reflected in the succession of young professionals to the seats of the three retiring commissioners, a manifestation of the changing Capitol Hill population as this class, attracted to the benefits of urban living, abandons suburban life and returns to the city.   Below are the unofficial results from DC’s Office of Elections and Ethics.  Unofficial election results do not include absentee and provisional ballots

ADVISORY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSIONER 6B01

DAVE GARRISON                                      539      94.39%

WRITE-IN                                                      32      5.604%

ADVISORY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSIONER 6B02

IVAN FRISHBERG                                     542        61.66%

GERALD (JERRY) SROUFE                      327       37.20%

WRITE-IN                                                      10        1.137%

ADVISORY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSIONER 6B03

PHILIP PEISCH                                            591      65.01%

RANDY STEER                                            306      33.66%

WRITE-IN                                                       12      1.320%

ADVISORY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSIONER 6B04

KIRSTEN OLDENBURG                             629      88.21%

WRITE-IN                                                       84      11.78%

ADVISORY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSIONER 6B05

BRIAN PATE                                                567      56.64%

STEVE HOLTZMAN                                   427      42.65%

WRITE-IN                                                        7       0.699%

ADVISORY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSIONER 6B06

NICHOLE OPKINS                                       523     54.02%

JARED CRITCHFIELD                                 355     36.67%

CHRIS HARLOW                                            78     8.057%

WRITE-IN                                                        12      1.239%

ADVISORY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSIONER 6B07

SARA LOVELAND                                      611      95.46%

WRITE-IN                                                        29     4.531%

ADVISORY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSIONER 6B08

CHANDER JAYARAMAN                          731      94.07%

WRITE-IN                                                       46      5.920%

ADVISORY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSIONER 6B09

BRIAN FLAHAVEN                                    935      97.59%

WRITE-IN                                                       23      2.400%

ADVISORY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSIONER 6B10

FRANCIS M. CAMPBELL                           825      96.26%

WRITE-IN                                                        32       3.733%