The College Fix

The Washington Post endorsed Republican Dave Hedgepeth in his race for the Ward 3 City Council seat.

Ward 3 sees a match between a Democratic incumbent, Mary M. Cheh, and a promising Republican, Dave Hedgepeth, but here we believe the newcomer is the wiser choice. Ms. Cheh has done some good work in her first term on the council, most notably on the environment and in her efforts to make the government more open to public view. But she’s been heedless in pushing legislation (such as lengthening the school day) that, no matter how well intentioned, is impractical, given the city’s finances. She insisted on overly ambitious election reform and, when the inevitable problems arose, blamed the people who had urged a more cautious approach. On the single most important issue facing the city, school reform, Ms. Cheh failed to provide the principled leadership her constituents should expect.

This is less of an endorsement of the Republican and more a scathing criticism of Cheh’s personality and lack of leadership.

She has also been wishy-washy on school reform, which WaPo pointed out:

When Ms. Rhee most needed support, Ms. Cheh was nowhere to be found, instead joining the choirs of criticism and micromanagement over teacher layoffs and the transfer of a middle school principal. Her graceless criticism of Ms. Rhee when the chancellor tendered her resignation was emblematic.

That’s all fine and dandy.

But the real reason to oppose Cheh is because she has been an outspoken proponent of legislation that further burdens DC residents (and GW students) – like the bag tax and soda tax.

Will Frey blogs at the GW Patriot. He is a member of the Student Free Press Association.

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