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If most of the candidates for an at-large D.C. Council seat get their way, a New York-style ban on large sodas could be in Washington’s future. When asked at the Ward 3 Democrats debate last night, a majority of the seven candidates said they supported enacting a ban in the District on sodas larger than 16 ounces, similar to the one introduced by New York’s Michael Bloomberg.
The pro-ban contingent was made up of former councilmember Michael Brown, former Washington City Paper reporter Elissa Silverman, marijuana legalization advocate Paul Zukerberg, and deep-pocketed candidate Matthew Frumin.
Big Soda isn’t necessarily getting off easy if the other three candidates are elected. Current councilmember Anita Bonds and Statehood Green Perry Redd said they would support a tax in place of a ban. Republican Pat Mara said he would also oppose a ban despite his personal affection for New York’s mayor-tycoon. “I love Mayor Bloomberg,” said Mara. “He’s one of my favorite mayors.”
Soda-ban observers will remember that an October debate for another at-large election produced similar anti-giant soda results. That hasn’t produced an actual soda ban yet, even though two of the candidates who said they supported outlawing large sodas—-David Grosso and Vincent Orange—-were ultimately elected.
Soda photo by Shutterstock