ANC6B Chair Edward Ryder Reconsiders – Will Seek Reelection After All

ANC6B Commissioner and ANC6B Chair Edward Ryder. Photo: Edward Ryder

ANC6B Chair Edward Ryder Reconsiders – Will Run After All

By Larry Janezich

Posted September 6, 2024

Edward Ryder, Chair of ANC6B announced in June that he would not seek reelection, citing his likely relocation outside of his Single Member District (SMD).  After the deadline passed for candidates to file papers to get on the ballot for the November election, and no candidate emerged, Ryder reconsidered and at the end of August announced he would launch a write in campaign to continue to represent SMD 6B08. 

CHC asked Ryder why he changed his mind. 

“At the end of the day there are a few reasons I decided to run a write in campaign.  While I am still planning to move, I’m still hopeful that I find something in my SMD (though that’s not guaranteed).  I was hoping to find someone willing to run for 6B08 in case I didn’t find something in 6B08, and I thought it was better to find someone willing to run than run and have to step down if I moved out of the SMD.  Since I’ve not found anyone willing to run, I’m thinking it’s probably better to run myself than have a vacancy.  There are few reasons for that – firstly I want to ensure our neighborhood still has an active voice in 6B.  I also want to ensure resident members are appointed to our committees.   I really don’t want there to be a lapse in any of the progress that has been made on a number of things in my neighborhood, especially the inroads I’ve made with DCHA and getting Potomac Gardens and Hopkins some needed attention.   Another big reason is the very high turnover of 6B commissioners and current lack of any administrative support.  I felt that being on the commission I could help with continuity and help new commissioners start out on the right foot.

Even if, down the road, I do move out of the SMD and have to step down (which would then necessitate a special election), I felt it better to keep 6B08 represented in the meantime.  It also might buy me some time to encourage others to step up and run if a special election is going to happen at some point.”