Putnam defeats Davis
Political newcomer Scott Putnam defeated Washington Mayor Brenda Davis to win the Democratic nomination in Tuesday’s primary election. The nomination secured Putnam’s spot in the November general election, paving a potentially smooth path to City Hall barring any write-in challengers on the Republican ballot.
The pair could square off again in the November general election because both candidates ran write-in campaigns on the Republican ballot. Those votes – 203 in total – will be counted in the coming days, in addition to absentee ballots.
“I feel great,” said Putnam, who celebrated at the Alpine Club in Washington. “It’s a testament to the hard work of the people that were supporting me and my family, so it just feels great. It’s a weight lifted off my shoulders, that’s for sure.”
Putnam, an engineer who currently serves as chairman of Citywide Development Corp., took hold of the nomination with 55.9 percent of the vote, compared to Davis’ 43.7 percent. Only four ballots were Democratic write-in votes.
Davis, who was elected to office in 2011, could not immediately be reached for comment Tuesday evening.
Putnam said he will be forced to step down as CDC chairman if he wins the general election, but the mayor automatically serves as a member of that board. He pointed out the possibility that Davis could win the Republican nomination, adding, “There’s just too many unknowns.”
He said he was unable to gauge how much support he received as a write-in candidate.
Putnam previously served as chairman of the Washington Parking Authority and as a member of the Washington-East Washington Joint comprehensive plan committee.
He ran his campaign on goals of bolstering the code enforcement office and tackling blight in the city. Davis stated during her campaign that she wanted to continue demolishing dilapidated properties, while also cutting spending and forging stronger relationships between police and the community.
Putnam also hopes to establish a fee in lieu of a tax for Washington & Jefferson College to pay in order to generate more revenue for the city.
He credited his supporters for helping him run a successful campaign.
“It’s been a lot of work on the campaign,” he said, “and we ran a good, clean campaign and didn’t run any smear ads, and just wanted to do the right thing.”