Being the District’s Democratic nominee for mayor must be pretty sweet. Not only do you get to thrash your mayoral rivals in the primary, but when it’s all over, they throw you a party.

Beaten Muriel Bowser opponents Ward 6 Councilmember Tommy Wells, At-Large Councilmember Vincent Orange, and Ward 2 Councilmember Jack Evans are all listed as hosts for a “unity fundraiser” Saturday at K Street’s Capitale Lounge. Other elected officials on the host list include former Vince Gray stalwarts Marion Barry and Yvette Alexander, and At-Large Councilmember and D.C. Democratic State Committee boss Anita Bonds.

Ward 5 Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie is on the host list, too, despite a surprising appearance on WAMU last Friday in which he insisted that he hadn’t endorsed Bowser. A spokeswoman for McDuffie didn’t respond to LL’s request for comment.

Still, one notable Democrat is nowhere to be seen on the party invite: Gray. Bowser campaign manager Bo Shuff says Bowser and Gray had a “private conversation” during their trip last week to Las Vegas to woo retailers, but isn’t sure whether Bowser brought up the fundraiser.

Despite attempts from mayoral rival David Catania to woo the Democratic voters that make up three-quarters of the District’s electorate, Shuff tells LL that Bowser’s campaign isn’t worried about hanging on to Democrats after its primary win…and took a dig at ex-Republican Catania’s former party affiliation along the way.

“There’s going to be Republicans that vote for Muriel and Democrats that vote for David,” Shuff says.

Photo by Darrow Montgomery