DC Mayor Vincent Gray Re-election Campaign Kickoff   ...1 of 2 >
Jan. 11, 2014-DC Mayor Vincent Gray formally launched his re-election campaign  in a speech to about 400 supporters at THEARC (Town Hall Education Arts Recreation Campus) located in Ward 8, east of the Anacostia River, declaring, "I have dedicated my entire career to our community. From the day that I graduated from George Washington University to this morning, when I greeted this new day, I have worked on behalf of you and frankly the neediest of people among us."

Gray faces eight challengers in the April 1 Democratic primary, including four members of the City Council.  He is conducting his campaign under the shadow of an ongoing investigation by U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. into a $653,000 shadow campaign that helped him win election in 2010.

Gray apologized for the "shortcomings" of his 2010 campaign, stating, "Today I want to apologize to you.  I want to apologize for the pain that my campaign—my campaign—caused, and I want to ask you for your foregiveness."  He said it is time to "turn the page" and decried some "reporters who prefer a circus to a thoughtful discussion of issues."  Much of Gray's speech highlighted accomplishments of the past three years including significant improvements in math and reading for DC students, more than 25,000 new private sector jobs, and an "unprecedented investment" of $187 million for affordable housing.  "Our city's getting more expensive," Gray said.  "We cannot forget those who held our city together..." [prepared remarks]
Sandra Phillips-Gilbert, ANC Commissioner for 6A07 (Rosedale) in the Northeast, cited Gray's accomplishments in her neighborhood.  "He ensured that funding was made available to complete the construction of the Rosedale Recreation Center, the library, and a field named for Mamie 'Peanut' Johnson (>) and the first ADA accessible playground," she said.
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