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With the general and special elections behind District voters, the job of legislating begins anew under the leadership of a person many describe as a policy wonk, and a nitpicker.
D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson [D] handily beat his opponent Calvin Gurley on Election Day to become the eighth chair of the city's 13-person legislative body.
"I want the new council in January to establish some clear priorities and opportunities," Mendelson said. "We want to work doggedly to achieve these priorities, and I want a council that gains the confidence of the citizens of the District of Columbia." Mired by scandals and resignations by members in 2012, Mendelson has his work cut out for him.
As the head of the council and the Committee of the Whole, Mendelson has to appoint each member to chair one of the council's 13 committees, which considers legislation on policy; and oversees government agencies and boards.
Already, political observers are forecasting his choices, long before he...