Matt E. Stevens
+ FollowDistrict Mayor’s New Deputy Chief Resigns Amid Voting Irregularities
As quickly as District of Columbia Mayor Vincent Gray welcomed his newest deputy chief of staff, he saw her exit amid controversy over her voting and past business efforts.
Andrea “Andi” Pringle joined Gray’s team along with new Chief of Staff Christopher Murphy earlier this month. The two were key hires for Gray, whose young administration has been mired in scandal, voter distrust and allegations of cronyism.
Pringle’s voting record in the District was called into question by Dorothy Brizill, one of the area’s most noted political watchdogs, on the website DCWatch.com. On September 2, Brizill filed a formal complaint with the D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics to challenge the status of Pringle’s residency when she last voted.
It was found that Pringle voted in the District election in the September 2010 primary, months after moving to North Bethesda, Maryland. Now the election board is investigating Pringle’s voting history in the District.
In a separate issue, research found that Pringle operated a political consultancy in the District even though her business license expired in 2009.
When the discrepancies were revealed, Pringle resigned from duty immediately and said she did not want to draw the focus away from Gray and his work for District residents.
“I’ve decided to take myself off the radar, get out of the way and let him govern,” Pringle told the Washington Post.
Pringle reiterated that the issues around her business license were irrelevant to her work with Gray’s administration because her firm was never hired to work for Gray.
Brizill, however, had some terse words about Pringle’s actions.
“It is especially troubling that Ms. Pringle chose to violate the District’s election laws given her background. As her resume notes, Ms. Pringle has an extensive background as an elections and political campaign consultant … and in that capacity she would be expected to have gained familiarity with basic election laws and practices,” Brizill quoted from her formal complaint.
As for the mayor’s administration, Gray released a statement regarding Pringle’s exit once he had a chance to meet with her personally.
“It’s important that we not allow any distractions from my administration’s focus on its four major priorities: economic development and job creation, education reform, public safety, and responsible fiscal management,” he said.
“[W]e must do everything we can to restore public trust in our government,” he added.
Pringle was appointed to Gray’s administrative team with high hopes to help turn around his relations with constituents. Previously, the Howard University graduate was the deputy campaign manager for Howard Dean when the former Vermont governor ran for president. She also worked on the presidential campaign for Bill Richardson when he was New Mexico’s governor.
Pringle’s replacement as deputy chief of staff has yet to be announced.
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3 Responses to District Mayor’s New Deputy Chief Resigns Amid Voting Irregularities
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SayItLoudHD says:
*sigh*. How corrupt does it have to get or going to get @ the local, municipal, state and federal level in the continued compromising of the system? How about doing the job FOR THE PEOPLE n BY THE PEOPLE. Remember WE THE PEOPLE? I think people in politics and working the political machinery, may be using hand sanitizer but need one for their minds and heart. The heart of America needs that from them.
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When does politics actually take a bake seat to getting the job done. Probably never.