John L. Ray

John L. Ray (born May 16, 1943cite web
title=John Ray (D-At Large)
work=The Washington Post
date=1996
accessdate=2008-07-26
url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/local/counties/dc/longterm/bios/ray.htm] ) is a lawyer and Democratic politician in Washington, D.C. He was an at-large member of the Council of the District of Columbia from 1979 to 1997.cite web
title=Historical Elected Officials: At-Large Member of the Council of the District of Columbia
author=District of Columbia Board of Elections and Ethics
accessdate=2008-07-26
url=http://www.dcboee.org/information/eo_index/history/AT_LARGE.shtm] Ray is a partner and member of the board of directors at the law firm Manatt, Phelps & Phillips.cite web
title=John L. Ray: Biography
publisher=Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP
url=http://www.manatt.com/Attorneys.aspx?id=125&full=36
accessdate=2008-07-26]

Political career

On January 8, 1979, Ray was appointed by the District of Columbia Democratic State Committee to the at-large council seat vacated by Marion Barry, who had been sworn in as mayor a few days earlier. [cite news
title=Party Unit Picks Ray on 6th Ballot For Council Seat
last=Coleman
first=Milton
work=The Washington Post
date=1979-01-09
page=C1
url=http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost_historical/access/142329472.html?FMT=ABS
accessdate=2008-07-26] He was Barry's chosen successor. Ray went on to win the May 1 special election handily [cite news
title=Mayor's Choice, John Ray, Wins City Council Seat
first=Milton
last=Coleman
coauthors=Bredemeier, Kenneth
work=The Washington Post
page=A1
date=1979-05-02
url=http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost_historical/access/131777572.html?FMT=ABS
accessdate=2008-07-26] and then to be reelected in 1980, 1984, 1988, and 1992.

When council chairman John A. Wilson killed himself in May 1993, the council chose Ray to be acting chairman.cite news
title=D.C. Council Set to Select Ray as Interim Chairman; Cropp, Mayor's Pick, Bows to One of Kelly's Main Critics
first=Rene
last=Sanchez
coauthors=Henderson, Nell
work=The Washington Post
page=C01
date=1993-05-25
url=http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost/access/72151543.html?FMT=ABS
accessdate=2008-07-26] Mayor Sharon Pratt Kelly had backed another at-large council member, Linda Cropp, for the appointment and thought she had lined up the votes on the council, but Charlene Drew Jarvis switched her vote to Raycite news
title=The Price of a Power Play Gone Awry; Attempt to Secure Interim Council Post for Cropp Puts Mayor in Awkward Position
first=James
last=Ragland
work=The Washington Post
page=D01
date=1993-05-26
url=http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost/access/72153204.html?FMT=ABS
accessdate=2008-07-26] because she intended to run for chairman in the special election and viewed Cropp as a threat. Ray served as acting chairman until the special election on September 14, which was won by former chairman David A. Clarke.cite web
title=Historical Elected Officials: Chairman of the Council of the District of Columbia
author=District of Columbia Board of Elections and Ethics
accessdate=2008-07-26
url=http://www.dcboee.org/information/eo_index/history/CHAIRMAN.shtm] Ray finished his term as at-large member but did not run for reelection in 1996.

References

s-ttl
title=At-Large Member, nowrap|Council of the District of Columbia
years=1979 – 1997