Brandon Todd

Brandon Tristan Todd (born May 25, 1983) is a Democratic politician who represents Ward 4 on the Council of the District of Columbia in Washington, D.C. Todd previously worked in the Council office of Muriel Bowser and in various campaign positions during her successful campaign for Mayor of the District of Columbia. Todd won a special election on May 2015, succeeding Muriel Bowser, who was elected as Mayor. Todd was sworn in to office on May 14, 2015, and served the remainder of Bowser's term. He won the June 2016 Democratic primary and the November 2016 general election for the position.

Todd was born and raised in Washington, DC. He graduated from Eastern High School and has a communications degree from Bowie State University and a Master in Business Administration from Trinity Washington University.

Todd joined the Democratic Party in October 2007 after voting in five elections as a member of the Republican Party.

In 2012, Todd managed Bowser's campaign for reelection as Ward 4 Councilmember. He served as Bowser's director of constituent services. In the same year, Todd was elected as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention representing wards 3, 4, 5, and 7.

In March 2013, Todd coordinated a construction job fair for workers skilled in mechanical, electrical, plumbing, concrete, rough carpentry, masonry, roofing, and waterproofing in Fort Totten Square.

On June 5, 2013, Todd was elected chair of the Ward 4 Democrats. He launched a new web site and Twitter account for the organization. In 2014, he was Finance Director for Bowser's mayoral campaign.

2014 special election

On December 4, 2014, Todd announced his candidacy for councilmember for Ward 4 after the position was vacated when Bowser was elected Mayor. Within three days of his announcement, Todd had raised $50,000. In the final campaign finance filing before the election, Todd had three times the financial reserves of his nearest rival. Todd accepted donations from LLCs owned by companies, which allowed companies to donate additional money to the campaign.

Todd advertised his close relationship with the mayor, saying he was the only candidate in the field who would be able to pick up the phone and discuss the ward’s needs directly with her. At a debate, it was reported that Todd searched on Google when asked to name a historical figure whose leadership he admired. His campaign had no comment on the action. Todd won with 42% of the vote.

2016 general election

In the June 14, 2016 D.C Council Ward 4 Democratic primary election, Todd won with 49% of the vote. He received the endorsements of the Gertrude Stein Democratic Club, Democrats for Education Reform, and The Washington Post. Todd won reelection for a full four-year term in the general election on November 8, 2016. He garnered 35,100 votes.

First (partial) council term

Todd said that he opposed awarding the operation of DC's prisons to a controversial private management company. After his election, Todd said that the Council should not be involved in awarding the contract.

While campaigning, Todd was one of the few candidates who did not oppose pop-ups, or housing extensions above the original height. After winning office and in the wake of community protests, he said was not "outright" opposed to pop-ups and wanted to balance residents' concerns with developer's interests.

In 2016, Todd announced his support for Mayor Bowser's plan to open a homeless shelter in Ward 4, hoping that it would be used as a catalyst for economic development.

After a building was condemned in Ward 4 and its residents forced to vacate the property, Todd was described as not helpful. His office did not provide an immediate response.

In June 2016, Todd opposed campaign finance reform legislation. Introduced by Council chair Phil Mendelson, the law would have taken people who donated to political campaigns out of consideration from receiving government contracts valued at more than $100,000.

Second council term

Todd was sworn into office for a full four-year council term at noon on January 2, 2017.

Todd lives in the Petworth neighborhood of Ward 4 and attends St. Mary’s Episcopal Church. He is single.

Todd serves on the following committees:

• Committee of the Whole
• Committee on Education
• Committee on Transportation and the Environment
• Subcommittee on Boards and Commissions (Chair)
• Subcommittee on Consumer Affairs
• Subcommittee on Local Business Development and Utilities
• Subcommittee on Workforce

• "Councilmember Brandon T. Todd". Retrieved 15 June 2016.