Washington's Barry seeks 3rd council term

WASHINGTON, Jan. 5 (UPI) -- Marion Barry, who has been censured for abusing his office and struggled to pay his taxes, filed to seek re-election as a Washington, D.C., city council member.

Barry, a Democrat and former Washington mayor, said he delivered more than 1,600 petition signatures to the Board of Elections and Ethics Wednesday to qualify for the ballot, The Washington Post reported.

Barry, 75, said he's seeking a third consecutive term on the council so he can continue his "ministry of helping people."

"Nobody who is running can match my vision, my experience and know-how," said Barry. "I am going to continue bringing resources to Ward 8."

Four years ago, Barry handily won re-election against a young challenger in the Democratic primary. This year, three Democrats have announced plans to challenge him, including Jacque Patterson, former chair of the Ward 8 Democrats, and one-time Barry adviser Natalie Williams. Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner Darrell Gaston is also a candidate.

Barry's political career has been tarnished by many miscues, including his arrest and sentence for cocaine possession in the 1990s, along with his more recent tax problems that earned him probation.