Brandon Todd

Brandon Tristan Todd (born May 26, 1983) is a lobbyist for Washington Gas and a former American politician who represented Ward 4 on the Council of the District of Columbia.

Todd previously worked in the Council office of Muriel Bowser and in various campaign positions during her successful campaign for Mayor of the District of Columbia.

Todd was born on May 26, 1983, and raised in Washington, D.C. He graduated from Eastern High School and has a communications degree from Bowie State University and a Master in Business Administration from Trinity Washington University.

In 2005, while in college, Todd declared bankruptcy for more than $20,000 in unpaid debts.

His creditors were primarily credit card companies, with charges from clothing retailers.

Todd joined the Democratic Party in October 2007 after voting in five elections as a member of the Republican Party.

In 2012, Todd managed Bowser's campaign for reelection as Ward 4 Councilmember.

He served as Bowser's director of constituent services.

In the same year, Todd was elected as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention representing Wards 3, 4, 5, and 7.

In March 2013, Todd coordinated a construction job fair for workers skilled in mechanical, electrical, plumbing, concrete, rough carpentry, masonry, roofing, and waterproofing in Fort Totten Square.

On June 5, 2013, Todd was elected chair of the Ward 4 Democrats.

He launched a new web site and Twitter account for the organization.

In 2014, he was Finance Director for Bowser's mayoral campaign.

On December 4, 2014, Todd announced his candidacy for councilmember for Ward 4 after the position was vacated when Bowser was elected mayor.

Within three days of his announcement, Todd had raised $50,000.

In the final campaign finance filing before the election, Todd had three times the financial reserves of his nearest rival.

Todd accepted donations from LLCs owned by companies, which allowed companies to donate additional money to the campaign.

Todd advertised his close relationship with the mayor, saying he was the only candidate in the field who would be able to pick up the phone and discuss the ward's needs directly with her.

At a debate, it was reported that Todd searched on Google when asked to name a historical figure whose leadership he admired.

His campaign had no comment on the action.

Todd won with 42% of the vote.

Todd won a special election in May 2015, succeeding Muriel Bowser, who was elected as mayor.

In the June 14, 2016 D.C Council Ward 4 Democratic primary election, Todd won with 49% of the vote.

He received the endorsements of the Gertrude Stein Democratic Club, Democrats for Education Reform, and The Washington Post.

Todd won reelection for a full four-year term in the general election on November 8, 2016.

He garnered 35,100 votes.

In 2016, amid community opposition Todd announced his support for Mayor Bowser's plan to open a homeless shelter in Ward 4, hoping that it would be used as a catalyst for economic development.

After a building was condemned in Ward 4 and its residents forced to vacate the property, Todd was described as not helpful.

A spokesperson for Todd said he was aware of the condemnation.

While the investigation was underway during the 2016 general election, it was not disclosed.

In April 2017, the DC Auditor announced that it was conducting an investigation into the financing of Todd's 2015 special election campaign.

As a result, Todd was fined $5,100 by the office of campaign finance, which he paid in-full.

Todd was unable to substantiate donations of over $100,000 and failed to report $34,000 in donations.

On November, 2017, Todd supported legislation that would jump-start economic development and revitalization along the Kennedy Street Corridor.

After serving one full term on the council, Todd lost the 2020 Democratic primary to Janeese Lewis George.

Todd lost the June 2020 primary election to progressive activist and former D.C. Assistant Attorney General Janeese Lewis George, a self-described democratic socialist, 7,926 to 6,386 votes.

During his campaign, Todd said that he opposed awarding the operation of DC's prisons to a controversial private management company.

After his election, Todd said that the council should not be involved in awarding the contract.

While campaigning, Todd was one of the few candidates who did not oppose pop-ups, or housing extensions above the original height.

After winning office and in the wake of community protests, he said he was "not outright opposed to pop-ups but that he wanted to find a balance between new housing units and neighbors' concerns."