Turns out a rich socialist can be good for something after all. On Monday, more than a year after Muriel Bowser dissed Andy Shallal‘s politics by way of his bank account, Bowser appointed the Busboys and Poets restaurateur and former mayoral hopeful to chair a workforce council.

That leaves LL wondering what will happen to Shallal’s supposed at-large D.C. Council run. In September, Shallal was telling mover-and-shaker types that he was planning to run against At-Large Councilmember Vincent Orange for the Democratic seat. Shallal admitted to LL that he was mulling a bid.

Shallal’s new appointment means a safer race for Orange, since Shallal would have to start campaigning right about now to get ready for the June primary. But the new workforce position doesn’t preclude a November general election run against At-Large Councilmember David Grosso—or an entry in some future race, with some new government chops on his resume. 

For his part, Shallal is as cagey as anyone who’s already in the Wilson Building. Asked if the workforce council position means he won’t run next year, Shallal didn’t really answer, saying instread he’s focused on his new position. Hm!

Photo by Darrow Montgomery