The political landscape of Washington D.C.’s Ward 8 has been thrown into turmoil following the arrest of Councilmember Trayon White on federal bribery charges on Sunday, August 19.
The 40-year-old Councilmember was arrested in Navy Yard by federal authorities for receiving envelopes with $35,000 cash and expected to receive $156,000 in total according to the complaint.
White allegedly received the bribe in exchange for using his position to influence contract renewals. The criminal complaint alleges that beginning in June 2024, White agreed to accept the cash to pressure employees at the Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (ONSE) and the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS) to extend contracts worth $5.2 million for Violence Intervention services in the District.
In response to the arrest, Mayor Muriel Bowser’s office announced an internal review in a statement released on August 21. Bowser expressed her disappointment and emphasized the importance of these programs operating without political interference. “Programs that impact violence interruption have been a key part of driving down violence in neighborhoods that need it the most and must operate without political interference,” she stated.
The arrest has cast uncertainty over the upcoming Ward 8 council election in November. Councilmember Trayon White, who has served since 2016 and was expected to secure a third term, now faces questions about his future in the role.
The District’s Republican Party chair has urged White to withdraw from the race. The D.C. Board of Elections has set September 12 as the final day for candidates to remove themselves from the ballot. With White facing potential trial and prison time, the election seems open for his republican opponent, Nate Derenge.
Derenge, who is on the ballot, recognizes the challenging road ahead in a predominantly Democratic ward. “Whether White drops out or stays in, I still have a long road ahead,” he said.
However, ANC Commissioner Salim Adofo, who finished second in the primary for White’s seat may rise to fill the Democrat‘s slot but he has urged caution. We need time to carefully consider our options and see how city leadership responds,” he said.
The situation is further complicated by White’s existing campaign finance issues. Earlier this year, it was revealed by Fox News that he owes substantial fines, including a $20,000 penalty from the D.C. Office of Campaign Finance and nearly $59,000 in public funds from D.C.’s Fair Elections Program.
Reports by NBC News and Yahoo!News contributed to this story
