In her 20-month mayoral campaign, Muriel Bowser curried favor—-and campaign contributions—-from District bigwigs. Now that she’s won, she can tell them what she wants.

In a Gallaudet University auditorium last night, Near Mayor Bowser told the various heavies who make up her transition team what she’s looking for.

“In some cases, you’re going to have to resist a few temptations: the temptation to tell me what the problems are,” Bowser said. “Because trust me, I know what the problems are.”

Instead, Bowser wants solutions. Among the people cooking them up for her: Ward 6 councilmember Tommy Wells, D.C. Chamber of Commerce head Harry Wingo, AFL-CIO labor coalition president Joslyn Williams, and 2006 mayoral candidate Marie Johns. After Bowser’s speech, Bowser’s eight transition committee members split up to discuss her policy goals.

After her speech, Bowser weighed in on the meaning of her headscratcher of a transition slogan and how to address her now that she’s mayor-elect (“Muriel” is just fine, apparently.)

Bowser was less forthcoming on whether her transition co-chairs are being set up for cabinet positions. On Wells, a rumored Department of Transportation pick who’s steering her transportation transition, Bowser would only say that he’ll “be a great co-chair.”

The District should be in the dark for a little longer. With the holiday-induced disinterest looming for the city, Bowser wouldn’t say whether she’s looking to have most of her appointments decided by Thanksgiving.

Photo by Darrow Montgomery