With the end of his political career a couple of months away, D.C. Councilmember Vincent C. Gray (D-Ward 7) continues to face health challenges that have kept him away from legislative meetings.
In his latest health update, Gray, a wheelchair user and two-time stroke survivor who hasn’t publicly expressed himself verbally in recent months, revealed that he will no longer cast a vote on council legislation for the rest of the council term.
His reason: early-stage dementia.
“Every person in a position of responsibility who has cognitive decline must make their own decision about how and when to adjust,” Gray, 81, said in a written statement on Oct. 24. “It is my duty to represent the best interests of District residents, often on complex matters. I do not want to cast a vote on an issue which I may not be able to fully consider.”
Gray’s spokesperson declined to reveal the exact date of the council member’s diagnosis.
Symptoms of dementia include memory loss and diminishment of cognitive abilities. The breakdown in nerve cells causes body control problems, irritability and impaired decision-making.
Since budget season, when he suffered other health setbacks, Gray has been absent from council legislative meetings. His colleagues kept it moving as they approved measures dealing with the D.C. circulator transition, healthcare, clean energy and affordable housing.
On Friday, Gray expressed his faith that the council would continue tackling the issues of the day.
“I have complete confidence in the collective judgment of my council peers,” Gray said. “My mind is at ease regarding all matters slated to come before the council between now and the New Year.”
In 2021, after Gray suffered a stroke, D.C. Council Chair Phil Mendelson (D) removed him from the helm of the council’s Committee on Health. By that time, Ward 7 community members had been critical of a council office they said had been largely absent in ward-level political affairs.
On Nov. 5, the polls will close and, soon after, the D.C. Board of Elections will confirm the next Ward 7 D.C. council member. In recent weeks, Wendell Felder, the Democratic nominee for the Ward 7 D.C. Council seat, and Gray’s handpicked successor, has been consolidating support.
Earlier this year, Gray endorsed Felder toward the end of a highly contentious council primary race. Almost immediately, skeptics questioned whether the Ward 7 council member, and not council staffers, actually made that decision.
Since Felder’s primary victory, Ward 7 politicos and community members have been attempting to foster unity among candidates even in the Ward 7 State Board of Education race.
With onetime Ward 7 council primary candidate Eboni-Rose Thompson defending her Board of Education seat against Toni Criner, who’s backed by Felder, it remains to be seen if that vision will be realized.
For Dr. Marla Dean, this political situation mirrors what’s happening nationally. She said, with this power shift, time is of the essence for Ward 7 leaders to unify around a plan that guarantees significant improvement in residents’ quality of life.
“We can’t afford this polarity with so many systemic issues,” said Dean, chair of the Ward 7 Education Council. “Everyone needs time to get over heated competition so it’s not surprising. But if this is a thing a year from now, that would be a different issue.”