Arrington Dixon
Encyclopedia
Arrington Dixon is an African American former city council member of Washington, D.C.
In 2008, he was D.C.'s male representative on the Democratic National Committee
and a thus a superdelegate
to the Democratic National Convention
. He ran for reelection as national committeeman in the September 2008 Democratic primary but was defeated by Vincent Orange
, 56 to 44 percent.
He was also appointed by Mayor Barry to serve as a public member of the National Capital Planning Commission
. He was married to former D.C. mayor Sharon Pratt Kelly
before she served as mayor (1991–1995).
, the legislature of the city's new home rule
government. The initial term for the Ward 4 seat, like those for half the council seats, was only 2 years, to provide for staggered council elections in later years, but in 1976 Dixon was reelected to a full 4-year term.
In 1978, council chairman Sterling Tucker
ran for mayor rather than seeking reelection. Dixon, who was halfway through his Ward 4 term, decided to run for council chairman and won. He served 4 years. In 1982 he ran for reelection but was defeated in the Democratic primary by David A. Clarke
.
More than a decade later, Dixon returned to the council as an at-large member for a few months in 1997 when he was chosen in August by the District of Columbia Democratic State Committee
to replace Linda Cropp, who had vacated her at-large seat to become chairman. The appointment lasted only until a December special election, in which he was defeated by then-Republican David Catania
.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
In 2008, he was D.C.'s male representative on the Democratic National Committee
Democratic National Committee
The Democratic National Committee is the principal organization governing the United States Democratic Party on a day to day basis. While it is responsible for overseeing the process of writing a platform every four years, the DNC's central focus is on campaign and political activity in support...
and a thus a superdelegate
Superdelegate
"Superdelegate" is an informal term commonly used for some of the delegates to the Democratic National Convention, the presidential nominating convention of the United States Democratic Party....
to the Democratic National Convention
Democratic National Convention
The Democratic National Convention is a series of presidential nominating conventions held every four years since 1832 by the United States Democratic Party. They have been administered by the Democratic National Committee since the 1852 national convention...
. He ran for reelection as national committeeman in the September 2008 Democratic primary but was defeated by Vincent Orange
Vincent Orange
Vincent Bernard Orange, Sr. is a politician from Washington, D.C. He was most recently a Democratic member of the Council of the District of Columbia, where he served as an elected member for Ward 5. In 2010 he was an unsuccessful candidate for Chairman of the Council...
, 56 to 44 percent.
He was also appointed by Mayor Barry to serve as a public member of the National Capital Planning Commission
National Capital Planning Commission
The National Capital Planning Commission is a U.S. government agency that provides planning guidance for Washington, D.C. and the surrounding National Capital Region...
. He was married to former D.C. mayor Sharon Pratt Kelly
Sharon Pratt Kelly
Sharon Pratt Kelly , formerly Sharon Pratt Dixon and now known as Sharon Pratt, was the third mayor of the District of Columbia from 1991 to 1995. Pratt was the first African-American woman to serve as mayor of a major American city...
before she served as mayor (1991–1995).
Council of the District of Columbia
In November 1974, Dixon was chosen to represent Ward 4 when voters elected the first members of the Council of the District of ColumbiaCouncil of the District of Columbia
The Council of the District of Columbia is the legislative branch of the local government of the District of Columbia. As permitted in the United States Constitution, the District is not part of any U.S. state and is instead overseen directly by the federal government...
, the legislature of the city's new home rule
District of Columbia home rule
District of Columbia home rule is a term to describe the various means by which residents of the District of Columbia are able to govern their local affairs...
government. The initial term for the Ward 4 seat, like those for half the council seats, was only 2 years, to provide for staggered council elections in later years, but in 1976 Dixon was reelected to a full 4-year term.
In 1978, council chairman Sterling Tucker
Sterling Tucker
Sterling Tucker is a civil rights activist and politician in Washington, D.C. In 1974, he was elected as a Democrat to be chairman of the Council of the District of Columbia in the first election after home rule was established, serving for one term...
ran for mayor rather than seeking reelection. Dixon, who was halfway through his Ward 4 term, decided to run for council chairman and won. He served 4 years. In 1982 he ran for reelection but was defeated in the Democratic primary by David A. Clarke
David A. Clarke
David Allen "Dave" Clarke was a civil rights worker, lawyer, and Democratic politician in Washington, D.C. He was elected as one of the original members of the Council of the District of Columbia in 1974 when D.C. gained home rule, and he later served as the council's chairman from 1983 to 1991...
.
More than a decade later, Dixon returned to the council as an at-large member for a few months in 1997 when he was chosen in August by the District of Columbia Democratic State Committee
District of Columbia Democratic State Committee
The District of Columbia Democratic State Committee is the local branch of the Democratic Party in Washington, D.C.Democrats make up 75 percent of the registered voters in the District of Columbia, while 7 percent are registered with the Republican Party , 1 percent with the D.C...
to replace Linda Cropp, who had vacated her at-large seat to become chairman. The appointment lasted only until a December special election, in which he was defeated by then-Republican David Catania
David Catania
David A. Catania is an American politician and lawyer from Washington, D.C. He is currently a member of the Council of the District of Columbia, where he serves as an independent, elected at-large .-Biography:Born in Kansas City, Missouri, Catania is a graduate of Georgetown University's School...
.