Jim Graham
TENAC deeply regrets the loss of former Councilmember Jim Graham, a special friend to tenants all over the District. Our association with him goes back a long time. In 1998, TENAC endorsed Jim Graham for the Ward 1 Council seat over another excellent Councilmember, Frank Smith, also a tenant friend. That was a close call, and Graham attributed his win, in very significant part, to the TENAC endorsement and our all-out effort to elect him.
Jim Graham's poster for his first run in 1998
He was also endorsed by TENAC in every one of his subsequent campaigns. His last campaign was especially disheartening. The controversy surrounding Graham leading to his loss in that election, and his unfortunate retirement from D.C. politics, had lots of "pro quo" in it but in our opinion, no "quid." Thankfully, his successor, Councilmember Brianne Nadeau, has become an important and distinguished advocate for tenants.
TENAC's endorsement of Graham was amply borne out, as he early on became a champion of tenants' rights. In 2006, for instance, TENAC worked closely with him on landmark rental housing legislation he introduced, and worked intensely for. Graham was key in winning this most sweeping housing reform in decades, which tightened loopholes against landlord circumvention of rental control law, helped prevent real estate interests from further weakening rental housing regulations, and helped defeat a "means test" to determine eligibility for rent control.
Thousands of tenants, especially the elderly and those on fixed income, were especially helped, and by that measure were deeply grateful to Graham. This legacy lives on as thousands of tenants continue benefiting from these measures.
Jim Graham brought a truly distinguished career to the council. He was a brilliant man, whose liberal and progressive commitment to social welfare issues was his trademark and lasting legacy. His strong support for civil rights, anti-discrimination, public welfare, affordable housing and tenants' rights improved the lives of every constituent he represented - - and indeed the entire city. Jim Graham's hard work and legacy improved the lives of African Americans, Latinos, the LGBT community, the homeless and virtually every resident in this city.
