D.C. Board of Elections (DCBOE) has not yet declared a winner in the Advisory Neighborhood Commission 6/8F02 race, but Elissa De Souza said she had more than enough reason to celebrate.
In an online post that inspired more skepticism than kudos last week, De Souza disclosed that she received a congratulatory message from the Executive Office of the Mayor (EOM).
Hours later, she told followers that the phone call and email sparked contention between her and DCBOE about the outcome of the race.
“It doesn’t seem like the two departments are communicating [because] this guy [from the mayor’s office] was so sure,” said De Souza, who declined to reveal the name of the EOM staffer.
“He said he had a letter on his desk to contact me,” she told The Informer. “To hear that…. and hear that BOE is still calculating votes. It’s an issue that should be addressed.”
In this race, De Souza, a probation officer, ran against organizer and native Washingtonian Markita Bryant and Antonio Rossi, a WMATA project manager. This weekend, as she awaited updates from BOE and EOM about the discrepancy, De Souza continued to engage followers, some of whom pointed out Bryant’s slight lead over her.
By Nov. 11, Bryant had accumulated 19 more votes than De Souza and more than 130 more votes than Rossi. Though De Souza questioned the electoral process last weekend, she has since taken more of a patient tone.
“At this point, I’m just waiting for answers from DCBOE, the mayor’s office or someone who’s got the answers,” she told The Informer. “This has been an emotional roller coaster.”
On Monday evening, a Bowser administration staffer confirmed that a junior staff member in the Mayor’s Office of Community Relations and Services preemptively contacted De Souza. Bowser said just as much on Tuesday, though she declined to reveal the staffer’s name or disclosed what had been done to prevent future missteps.
As outlined in DCBOE regulations, votes postmarked by Nov. 5 and received by Nov. 15 will be counted. Whoever DCBOE certifies as the winner in the ANC 6/8F02 race on December 2 will represent a portion of Navy Yard that became part of Ward 8 during redistricting in 2021.
This race, among others, could potentially reshape the racial composition of elected leadership in one of D.C.’s last Black political strongholds.
Over the last several months, De Souza, a probation officer, has gained an online following — and reputation as a fearmonger — for her posts about crime in Navy Yard and her appearances on conservative television news networks.
De Souza’s campaign platform centered on public safety, resource accumulation, cleanliness and humane treatment of dogs. In recent weeks, she’s spoken out against vandalism of campaign material, and kept neighbors abreast of Gaza-related protest and counter protest in front of Nationals Park.
While De Souza received an endorsement from D.C. Voters for Animals, ANC 6/8F02 Commissioner Rick Murphee threw his support behind Bryant.
Murphee didn’t directly weigh in on De Souza’s tweets. He however did provide a big-picture perspective.
“In general, when it comes to information being put out that’s inaccurate, whether from candidates or the public, it’s dangerous putting it on social media,” Murphee said.
As it relates to Bryant, Murphee said that her lived experience and record as an active community member more than qualifies her to serve as an advisory neighborhood commissioner.
“Markita was born in and raised in D.C., and she understands the issues,” Murphee said. “She’s part of the community and understands what the ANC does. On day one, she’ll be ready to go.”
Bryant ran on a five-Black female ANC candidate slate, some members of which attended D.C. Councilmember Trayon White’s re-election watch party. On Nov. 5, White was successful, as were slate members ANC Commissioner Robin McKinney, ANC Chairwoman Jamila White, who won another term, and Fria Moore, who will serve her first term as a commissioner early next year.
On Monday, Bryant also didn’t speak much on De Souza’s online post about a call from the mayor’s office. She told The Informer that she’s focused on the results, as updated by DCBOE.
Should she be declared the winner, Bryant said she wants to unify Single-Member District 6/8F02 by not only engaging supporters, but those who voted against her.
“My campaign has always been about the people,” Bryant said. “I’m proud to see that people want to see my value as a leader. Our neighborhood will have to move forward after this election, so I want it where everyone is welcome and respected.”
