D.C. City Councilmember Vincent Orange is stepping down early from his at-large position. The premature departure comes as a result of questions over a potential conflict of interest due to his position as chairman of the business regulation committee, as he planned to start working as chief of the D.C. Chamber of Commerce before the end of his term. Orange will depart the Council on August 15, the same day he begins his new role at the D.C. Chamber.
The D.C. Democratic State Committee will now appoint someone to fill the vacancy until whoever wins the election this fall (almost certainly Robert White, who beat Orange in June's primary) is sworn in in January. Orange has pushed back on a pre-election appointment of White, an option many local leaders have supported. Orange tweeted his wish to see someone who to represent the diverse nature of the District, leading one enthusiastic local public relations executive to start pushing for Social Driver founder Thomas Sanchez take up the seat.
@maustermuhle Why not appoint a Latino, Asian, LGBTQ person or upcoming millennial person 2 provide exposure for future? No ? RW will win!
— Hon. Vincent Orange (@VOrangeDC) August 8, 2016
Adam Shapiro's blog on The Huffington Post pointed to Sanchez as not only checking off more than one of Orange's suggestions, but someone who's already engaged in city politics. Former Mayor Vincent Gray appointed Sanchez to the innovation and technology inclusion council in 2014, and took an active role in meetings with civic leaders and the Metropolitan Police Department’s LGBT Liaison Unit after the shooting in Orlando in June.
"I just read what Orange had said about needing diversity on Council and was like, BOOM, that IS Thomas!" Shapiro wrote in an email to DC Inno.
Shapiro, although friends with Sanchez, said he simply felt inspired to write the post. This isn't even the first time he's written about putting a business executive in politics. He wrote a post earlier this month arguing that Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz should be Hillary Clinton's vice presidential running mate.
As for Sanchez, he was surprised, but not displeased by the suggestion.
"I'm honored that people are bringing up my name as part of this process," he told DC Inno. "And, I'm taken aback by the support it's receiving and the many people that are reaching out to me. I'm sure the D.C. Democratic State Committee will make the decision that is right for everyone in the District. In the meantime, I'm going to continuing to do everything I can to support technology and economic inclusion initiatives in DC — now and going forward."
But would he take the spot if offered?
"Yes. I'd be honored to serve in a caretaker role," Sanchez said.
We've reached out to Vincent Orange for comment and will update this post accordingly.
