Washington, D.C.
Marion Barry—once acclaimed as Washington, D.C.’s “mayor for life”—stormed back into city politics last week, handily winning a Democratic primary that virtually assured him a seat on the City Council. Barry, now 68, is best known outside the city for his 1990 arrest after the FBI videotaped him smoking crack cocaine in a hotel room. But he was elected mayor again after serving six months in jail, then retired in 1998 as he battled prostate cancer. Barry abandoned a comeback bid two years ago after police reported finding $5 worth of crack in his car, a charge he denied. Barry told a throng of supporters he would fight for improved health care and housing for impoverished neighborhoods. “People want a change,” he declared. “We are going to tear it up.”
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
The Pentagon faces an uncertain future with TrumpTalking Point The president-elect has nominated conservative commentator Pete Hegseth to lead the Defense Department
-
This is what you should know about State Department travel advisories and warningsIn Depth Stay safe on your international adventures
-
'All Tyson-Paul promised was spectacle and, in the end, that's all we got'Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
