Schwartz’s loss stuns supporters Mara ‘cautiously optimistic’ for November win

[Shana A]

Schwartz's loss stuns supporters
Mara 'cautiously optimistic' for November win

LOU CHIBBARO JR
Friday, September 12, 2008

http://www.washingtonblade.com/2008/9-12/news/localnews/13255.cfm

Veteran D.C. City Council-member Carol Schwartz (R-At-Large), a strong gay rights supporter, lost her re-election bid in the city's Republican primary Tuesday to a little-known challenger who supports same-sex marriage and has pledged to aggressively court gay voters in November.

Patrick Mara, a 32-year-old former congressional staffer, was credited with outflanking Schwartz by waging a highly organized, well-funded and carefully targeted campaign directed at Republican voters, who make up about 7 percent of the city's largely Democratic electorate.