At the University of Southern California, Delmar Chesley played inside linebacker. Now he’s mounting what could amount to a “Hail Mary” play against incumbent Yvette Alexander for the Ward 7 D.C. Council seat.

The 48-year-old Chesley, who entered the race earlier last week, says he’s challenging Alexander because of a “lack of leadership” in the ward.

Chesley grew up in Hillcrest as the youngest of ten children. Now working in sales and living in the Fort Davis neighborhood, Chesley thinks he can win despite a comparative lack of name recognition.

“I have a platform that I’m going to share with the folks of Ward 7 that’s not so typical,” Chesley says.

Alas, Chesley wouldn’t tell LL what’s in that platform.

Chesley wasn’t included as an option in the last week’s poll, funded by supporters of ex-mayor Vince Gray supporters, that found Gray leading a hypothetical race against Alexander and challenger Ed Potillo. Asked about Gray entering the race, had other ideas for the former mayor.

“I would think he should probably be more concerned with the streetcar,” Chesley says.

Photo courtesy Delmar Chesley