Did DC employees decide election?
The reason Vincent Gray won this election was economics of the most basic kind. School reform turned job security on its head. District employees were wary of another Adrian Fenty term and the risk that it might prompt him to expand his more radical approaches and layoffs. Employees, in any company, dread upheaval even if it promises new opportunities. In the election 126,000 people voted, or 34% of eligible voters. The District employs approximately 32,000 employees. No doubt a large number of these employees live in the District and since most District jobs are middle income, the highest concentration of these workers likely live in Wards that went heavily to Gray. District employees, plus friends and family, make up a sizeable voting bloc and enough to swing an election. District civil servants have a powerful incentive to vote in any mayoral race. And in this race, they had no incentive to vote for Fenty. ...