WASHINGTON (7News) — The Democratic primary in June for the District’s delegate seat was heating up Monday, with five candidates racing to define each other before voters did.
Brooke Pinto was accusing Robert White Jr. of going too far.
“Robert White has unfortunately been spreading misinformation about me and my family and my supporters,” says Brooke Pinto, candidate for D.C. Delegate (D).
White fired back.
“What I think you will see in this race and some other local races are people who are afraid to stand up because they don’t want to lose donors and supporters,” Robert White, Jr., candidate for D.C. Delegate (D).
The flashpoint was campaign donations.
Pinto pointed at donors tied to Republicans and former President Donald Trump in White’s orbit.
SEE ALSO | DC’s Robert White apologizes for insensitive post about WHCD shooting
“I don’t know the background of everyone I’m calling. If anybody sticks out as a red flag, I will flag it,” added White.
White argued Pinto had taken similar money.
“In this position, which is a unique moment, we have to build coalitions across parties and across the country,” said Pinto.
Pinto questioned White’s ties to large real estate developers.
“There are good landlords in this city, and there are bad landlords, and the ones that are good in this city believe my work is fair and firm, and the ones that are bad don’t want to see me coming,” said White.
White’s team countered with ethics questions regarding Pinto’s districtwide mailings, which triggered a formal complaint.
“That complaint was reviewed and completely dismissed, and I continue to take that responsibility very seriously and will never violate either the letter or the spirit of those ethics laws,” Pinto said.
White had previously faced scrutiny over a missed federal disclosure deadline.
“The initial disclosure was due when the federal government was shut down. They were not responsive, so yes, we missed the deadline, but we had also been in contact with them and fixed it immediately,” said White.
In the more recent clash, White was asking Pinto to drop out after a nearly 70-page document about him was posted on Pinto’s campaign website, which he said included personal details about his family and home.
Pinto apologized and removed White’s personal information from her website.
Fundraising showed Pinto leading, Kinney Zalesne in second, and White trailing.
There are seven candidates total, including Trent Holbrook (D), Greg Jaczko (D), Kymone Freeman (G), and Denise Rosado (R).
Zalesne was staying above the fray.
“I am the only one in the race that has fought on a national level and won, and built progress and results on a national level. That’s what I am focused on for the people of D.C.,” said Kinny Zalense, D.C. Delegate Candidate (D).
All three said they’re focused on the District’s future.
“I am also really excited to play an offensive role in this position to make sure we secure billions of dollars in federal resources for our priorities for our…
Read More: Candidates in DC Delegate race for Congress tossing punches at each other
