Beltway Area Indymedia

This morning, at around 830 AM, in Crestwood, at the corner of 16th Street NW and Colorado Avenue NW, Muriel Bowser's campaign team was out in droves, campaigning for their candidate. Along the busy commuter route, among the group, was none other than Ronald Austin, a longtime Fenty staffer, and now the Clean City Coordinator in the Executive Office of the Mayor.

Much has already been made of Mayor Adrian Fenty's involvement in Muriel's fundraising, and the number of business interests trying to buy influence with Ms. Bowser. With nearly $400,000 raised in campaign donations (more than twice as much as her nearest fundraising competitor in Ward 4, Michael Brown), much of it from outside Ward 4 and even outside the District, are very uneasy about the money behind Muriel Bowser. There have also been allegations of the misuse of city resources for Muriel Bowser's campaign. Questions have been raised about whether Mr. Fenty is abusing his newfound position of power by unduly influencing the Ward 4 council race.

Now, longtime Fenty staffer, and current Clean City Coordinator (in the Executive Office of the Mayor, Ronald Austin is taking part in campaigning for Muriel. The question is, is Mr. Fenty, in light of the criticism, using an old friend, so as to take himself out of the spotlight? Did Mr. Fenty send Mr. Austin? Should Mr. Austin, given his governmental position, be campaigning for Ms. Bowser? These are just a few more of the many questions in the ethical controversies that continue to mount for Muriel Bowser.