The Pitch Set Me Up - Washington City Paper

Mayor Vince Gray courted voters (and some controversy) last week when he accepted an endorsement from Marion Barry. But Gray isn’t the only candidate getting some help from bold-faced names in the mayor’s race. Her are some of the other famous and sort-of-famous names making endorsements this year.

Danny Glover

Claim to Fame: Actor

Candidate: Andy Shallal

Endorsement Duties: Whipped up Shallal supporters at a Ward 8 town hall

Peter Yarrow

Claim to Fame: One third of Peter Paul and Mary who co-wrote “Puff the Magic Dragon”

Candidate: Shallal

Endorsement Duties: Sang Shallal-themed versions of ’60s folk songs at a fundraiser

George Pelecanos

Claim to Fame: Neo-noir D.C. crime novelist

Candidate: Shallal

Endorsement Duties: Read education-themed passages from one of his books to Shallal supporters

Steve Francis

Claim to Fame: Former Houston Rockets and Maryland Terrapins player

Candidate: Muriel Bowser

Endorsement Duties: Headlined a fundraiser

Lynwood Westray

Claim to Fame: Former White House butler (but not that butler)

Candidate: Jack Evans

Endorsement Duties: Accepted a ceremonial resolution from Evans

Spike Mendelsohn

Claim to Fame: Top chef contestant and fast casual restaurant magnate

Candidate: Tommy Wells

Endorsement Duties: Threw a pool party fundraiser for Wells at the Capitol Skyline Hotel

Glover by Matthew N. Stoller, Yarrow by Phil Konstantin, Pelecanos by Larry D. Moore. CC 2.0 Attribution/ShareAlike.