Mayoral Debate Tonight at UDC

"Five major Democratic candidates for D.C. mayor are scheduled to face off tonight at the University of the District of Columbia in the first citywide forum of the 2006 political season.

Council Chairman Linda W. Cropp, council members Adrian M. Fenty (Ward 4) and Vincent B. Orange Sr. (Ward 5), lobbyist Michael A. Brown and former telecommunications executive Marie C. Johns have accepted invitations to the forum, which is being sponsored by the D.C. Affairs Section of the D.C. Bar.

Section co-chairman James Bubar said the bar began working on the event about the time Mayor Anthony A. Williams (D) began signaling his intention to retire. 'Especially now that Mayor Williams has decided not to run, there's a great interest in learning more about who these candidates are,' Bubar said.

More than 500 people are expected to attend the free event, far more than the bar originally planned for. As a result, Bubar said, the event has been moved to the university's main auditorium on Veazey Street NW. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the forum begins at 6:30."
Metro