"No other Ward 4 candidate has a record of leadership and service that comes close to
Renee's"
WASHINGTON, DC -- The Renee Bowser campaign has issued a list of 'Top Ten' reasons why Renee
Bowser's credentials, experience, and positions on major issues have made her the most qualified
candidate in the May 1 special election for the Ward 4 seat on DC City Council.
"Renee Bowser stands head and shoulders above all other candidates in the Ward 4 election," said
Ward 4 resident David Schwartzman. "No other Ward 4 candidate has a record of leadership and
service that comes close to Renee's. No other candidate has taken such strong positions in
support of the interests of the people of Ward 4."
Renee Bowser, commenting on the list, said "Ward 4 voters should know that I'm running to serve as
a voice for the people for Ward 4, not as mouthpiece for the Mayor's office or for the big
business lobbies and outside-DC interests that are contributing thousands of dollars to other
candidates."
(1) Renee Bowser accepts no campaign money from corporations, and will only serve the people of
Ward 4. Renee cannot be compromised by contributions from big landlords, developers,
outside-DC business interests, and other powerful corporate lobbies. Unlike some candidates who
switch positions on major issues after being elected, Renee will not sell out.
Other Ward 4 candidates, especially Michael Brown and Muriel Bowser, have collected thousands of dollars from
corporate contributors, including many from outside the District, who seek favors from
Council members. More information, including records of contributions to Ward 4 candidates: DC
Office of Campaign Finance, http://ocf.dc.gov/index.shtm
(2) Renee is a union lawyer (Assistant General Counsel for UFCW International Union) and a
former shop steward who has been fighting for working people for three decades. With Renee's
campaign, unions and working people have a unique opportunity for an uncompromised voice on DC
Council. No other candidate in the Ward 4 race has similar credentials.
(3) Renee is a former Commissioner on the DC Human Rights Commission, deciding discrimination
cases for DC residents. Renee will use her Council seat to fight for equality, human rights,
and freedom from racism and other forms of discrimination.
(4) Renee is current chair of Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4D, representing 12,000
constituents and is in her second term as Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner for 4D-02.
Renee was elected three times, which shows the high regard in which she is held by the
neighborhood she serves.
(5) Renee has spoken out early against the plan proposed by Mayor Fenty to strip power over DC
Public Schools from the DC Board of Education -- whose members were elected by DC voters,
including voters in Ward 4, to exercise such power. Renee has also opposed the Mayor's
intention to go over the heads of DC voters and win a Charter amendment to this
effect by asking Congress to use its antidemocratic authority over DC. According to the DC Charter, only DC voters
may amend the Charter, and Renee supports this democratic right. She has called on DC Council
to delay important votes on the Fenty plan and other important legislation until after the May 1
special election, when Wards 4 and 7 are represented again on Council. Renee, along with
other Ward 4 residents, celebrated Mr. Fenty's victory in 2006 -- but Renee will serve as a
voice for the people of Ward 4, not as a mouthpiece for the Mayor.
"The Mayor has locked out DC -- and especially Ward 4 -- parents, in his pursuit of the DC
School Board takeover plan and also in the plan itself," said Renee.
(6) Renee Bowser is a member of the DC Statehood
Green Party, which has been out front and providing political leadership on environmental
issues, education, housing, fair taxes, DC democracy, and health care for all DC residents.
(7) As a leader of the DC Statehood Green Party,
Renee has campaigned for DC statehood -- full self-determination, self-government, and
representation (one Representative and two Senators) for the people of DC, ending Congress's
power to force unwanted laws and policies on the District. No other candidate in Ward 4 has taken
such a strong position in defense of DC democracy.
(8) From 1990 to 1997, Renee served as a tutor in
reading and math for homeless children in Washington, DC.
(9) Renee helped organize citizens who opposed Mayor Anthony Williams' plan to dismantle and
destroy DC General Hospital, the District's only full-service public health care facility.
(10) Renee supports the principle of 'public property for public benefit': Renee has been a
champion of the principle that public property, resources, and services in the District of
Columbia exist for the people of the District of Columbia.. When it
comes to economic development in Ward 4, Renee will fight for the best deal for
the people of Ward 4 and for sunshine in all discussions that affect DC citizens -- because
she has not been compromised by contributions from developers in seeking
the Ward 4 seat on Council.