D.C. AG says congressional candidate must resign council seat by Tuesday

D.C. Attorney General's office ruled that Democratic congressional nominee Robert White must resign his District Council seat by Tuesday, October 27, to be eligible to replace Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton.

The opinion relies on a 1970 statute that defines qualifications for the congressional seat. The law states a candidate cannot hold another paid public office on the date of election. The attorney general's office informed White of this requirement, a detail first reported by City Cast DC.

White told reporters on Wednesday that his team is still reviewing legal options until Monday. He stated he does not intend to take actions that would jeopardize his ability to represent the city in Congress.

"There’s still some open legal questions," White said. "If we can get a clear enough read by then and there are options, we’ll take those options. If not, I will have to resign."

White noted that he disagrees with the attorney general's interpretation of the law. He said he spoke with many lawyers who read the statute in the same manner as he does. White added that he discovered the qualification requirement around the time he filed to run for office.

The candidate plans to make a final decision on his Council seat status by Monday. If he finds a legal path to keep the seat, he will pursue it. If no such path exists, he will resign before the election.