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1994 Washington, D.C., mayoral election

On November 8, 1994, Washington, D.C., held an election for its mayor. It featured the return of Marion Barry, who served as mayor from 1979 until 1991.

1994 Washington, D.C., mayoral election
← 1990 November 8, 1994 1998 →
 
Nominee Marion Barry Carol Schwartz
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 102,884 76,902
Percentage 56.0% 41.9%
Results by ward
Barry:      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%
Schwartz:      40–50%      60–70%      >90%
Mayor before election

Sharon Pratt Kelly
Democratic

Elected mayor

Marion Barry
Democratic

Barry served six months in prison on a cocaine conviction. After his release from prison, Barry ran successfully for the Ward 8 city council seat in 1992, running under the slogan "He May Not Be Perfect, But He's Perfect for D.C." Upon this victory, Barry said he was "not interested in being mayor" again.[1]

This was by far the smallest Democratic victory margin in a regularly scheduled partisan citywide election since the city was granted home rule.

Campaign

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Democratic primary

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Sharon Pratt Kelly succeeded Barry as mayor. In the second year of her term, Barry loyalists mounted a recall campaign, which, although unsuccessful, weakened her administration.

Councillor John Ray received the endorsement of The Washington Post and was favored to win the primary.[2] However, Barry ran a grassroots campaign, touting his record balancing the budget in 10 of his 12 years as mayor.[2]

General election

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A major issue in the campaign was how to cut $140 million from the city budget, as mandated by Congress. Though Barry was seen by some as responsible for the bureaucracy[3] and Schwartz criticized Barry's proposals as old and ineffective,[4] Barry tied his personal redemption to the redemption of the city.

Results

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Democratic primary

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1994 Washington, D.C. mayoral election, Democratic primary results
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Marion Barry 66,777 47.18
Democratic John Ray 52,088 36.80
Democratic Sharon Pratt Kelly (incumbent) 18,717 13.22
Democratic Otis Holloman Troupe 1,897 1.34
Democratic Write-in 829 0.59
Democratic Don Reeves 598 0.42
Democratic Osie Thorpe 456 0.32
Majority
Turnout

Republican primary

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1994 Washington, D.C. mayoral election, Republican primary results
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Carol Schwartz 3,764 74.85
Republican Brian P. Moore 641 12.75
Republican Write-in 624 12.41
Majority
Turnout

General election

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1994 Washington, D.C. mayoral election results[5]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Marion Barry 102,884 56.02 −30.1
Republican Carol Schwartz 76,902 41.87 +30.4
Independent Write-in 982 0.54
Independent Curtis Pree 852 0.46
DC Statehood Jodean M. Marks 695 0.38 −0.31
Independent Jesse Battle Jr. 488 0.27
Independent Faith Dane 423 0.23 +0.16
Socialist Workers Aaron Ruby 423 0.23 +0.12
Majority 25,982 14.15 −60.5
Turnout 183,649 50.75

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Former Mayor's Victory Worries Many in Capital". The New York Times. September 17, 1992. Retrieved July 30, 2008.
  2. ^ a b "Marion Barry makes comeback, wins D.C. Democratic mayoral primary". Jet. 1994.
  3. ^ "Marion Barry May Be More Than Just An Embarrassment". Businessweek.com. October 3, 1994. Archived from the original on May 23, 2011.
  4. ^ Janofsky, Michael (November 9, 1994). "THE 1994 ELECTIONS: THE NATION THE CAPITAL; Barry Rebounds From Disgrace to Win Again in Washington". The New York Times. Retrieved May 27, 2010.
  5. ^ "November 8 General Election". District of Columbia Board of Elections. Archived from the original on April 25, 2023. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
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