ANC Commissioner Backs Kennedy for Ward Two

Ward 2 Councilmember Jack Evans has drawn a contender for the Democratic nomination next year. Foggy Bottom commissioner Patrick Kennedy has announced his challenge. And today, GM is posting Kennedy’s first big Georgetown endorsement, namely that of ANC Commissioner Joe Gibbons. He writes:

We Need Patrick Kennedy is the Ward 2 Councilmember We Need As the former Chair of ANC2E and a Commissioner now in my second term, I am supporting Patrick Kennedy to be the next Ward 2 Councilmember. I’ve voted for Councilmember Jack Evans in the past, and I’ve worked with him at our ANC; I respect his contributions to the community. Some may ask why, then, I would support another candidate, particularly so far out from the election. The reason is simple: I know that I am for Patrick, and I don’t need to be against anyone else. I first got to know him when I was reaching out to neighboring ANCs as a new Commissioner and ANC2E Chair back in 2017. Patrick was then, at the ripe old age of 25, a steady hand at the helm of the Foggy Bottom ANC (as he had been for several years). I immediately sensed in him someone with a true sense of what public service meant. He was passionate, extraordinarily well-informed, even-keeled, and cared deeply about delivering tangible quality of life improvements for our communities. Whether the topic was residential quality of life concerns, school issues, working with businesses, or thinking through transportation solutions…I found Patrick to be a collaborative, thoughtful partner across neighborhood boundaries and someone with a positive vision for the ward. I also watched how he dealt with difficult issues and mediated solutions when competing interests were at stake; he is a person who pours his heart into doing the right thing, but I have never once seen him be anything less than completely respectful to someone with a different viewpoint. He is genuinely a well-meaning public servant, and a pleasure to work with. I know that with Patrick, we will have a councilmember who understands the nuances and unique concerns of Georgetown and other neighborhoods in Ward 2. He always wanted to know more about the issues facing Burleith, Georgetown and Hillandale, and has worked with me and my colleagues numerous times over the years to make sure that our ANCs acted in harmony on issues of common interest. Patrick’s style of leadership (transparent, thoughtful, honest, and a good listener who engages with everyone) is exactly what our ward needs right now. It’s time for a new generation of leadership to step up, and I can’t think of a better representative of the new generation than Patrick. I hope that you’ll join me in supporting him. You can learn more about Patrick and get involved with his campaign at PatrickForWard2.com. Joe Gibbons