Ward 4 front runner Brandon Todd started Election Day at a predawn rally, and he isn’t flagging yet. Standing outside Brightwood’s West Education Campus around 11 a.m., Todd, who has been backed by unions and Mayor Muriel Bowser, estimated that he has more than 200 people working for him today.

“Team Todd! Team Todd!” he chanted at his volunteers.

Todd’s most organized opposition at the polling place came from rival Leon T. Andrews Jr., who has converted a $90,000 personal loan to his campaign into a plethora of signs, including a huge one with his face on it.

But Andrews’ signs didn’t convince former candidate Pedro Rubio, who came by to cast his ballot, that it’s not a one-sided race. Rubio blamed the lack of viable opposition to Todd on city contractors and employees afraid of losing work if they bucked Bowser’s pick. Todd has a similar view of his chances, although he’s considerably happier than Rubio about it.

“I’m going to win big,” Todd said. “I’m going to win by a lot!

Photo by Will Sommer