It’s the announcement that pretty much every D.C. politico was waiting for, some with apprehension, others with hope: Ward 7 Councilmember Vince Gray won’t run for reelection next year.

Gray’s decision, which he shared first to the Washington Post and later via a statement Wednesday, marks the formal exit from the political stage for one of the central figures of D.C. politics for the past three decades. But it also marks an admission, at last, from Gray’s team that his health challenges would’ve made another campaign pretty much impossible, after they effectively sidelined him these past few years.

“I would never want any personal matter to interfere with or limit my ability to serve the people who trust me with this very important job,” Gray wrote in a statement to the Post, declining an interview. “District residents deserve the best and I cannot assure voters that I will be able to provide that every day down the road.”

Gray’s retirement instantly transforms the Ward 7 primary next year into perhaps the most fascinating race in the whole city. Many local leaders privately confided to Loose Lips that they hoped Gray wouldn’t run again, not only because the 81-year-old seemed unwell in his increasingly limited public appearances, but also because he remained a heavy favorite to win in a crowded race despite his health issues. Six candidates have already filed to run, and there’s every reason to expect more will do so in the coming weeks, considering the ward hasn’t seen an open seat race since 2007.

With a year left in his term, there’s plenty of time for remembrances of Gray’s many years in public service. But it’s still worth stepping back a bit to marvel at just how many aspects of civic life Gray was involved in over the years: Who else can say they served as a D.C. agency head, nonprofit leader, councilmember, Council chair, and mayor? 

And who else can say they so defined the city’s political intrigue over the past two decades? First, there was his come-from-behind campaign against then-Mayor Adrian Fenty, then the scandal over his alleged “shadow campaign” and clashes with federal prosecutors, then his losing bid that produced the mayor who has gone on to run D.C. for the past 10 years, Muriel Bowser. Gray’s efforts to build a hospital east of the river and flirtations with another mayoral run following his Ward 7 Council comeback were no less newsworthy. 

What’s more, Gray represents a connection to D.C.’s political past. With At-Large Councilmember Anita Bonds a notable exception, there are fewer and fewer politicians left in places of prominence who can say they were involved in the earliest days of Home Rule in D.C. Gray was a link to D.C.’s old political establishment, which powered his first win over a fresh face in Fenty, that has largely faded away.

There’s little doubt that Gray’s final years on the Council will not win him many plaudits—he ceded much of his office’s operations over to his staff, some of whom were more well-liked than others—but the candidates racing to replace him will still try to embrace his legacy and benefit from any association with him. Gray told the Post that he may “reach out to a candidate whose work ethic, policies and campaign catch my eye,” hinting at an endorsement, though various Ward 7 insiders to speak with LL differ on whether they expect him to bless a successor.

At present, most ward politicos see a clear top tier of candidates in the race: Ward 7 Democrats chair Wendell Felder, SBOE Rep. Eboni–Rose Thompson, attorney and 2020 Gray challenger Veda Rasheed, and Kingman Park Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner Ebony Payne. Hillcrest ANC Kelvin Brown, who also ran in 2020, and former ANC Ebbon Allen have filed as well, but are generally viewed as less competitive. Other entrants, including ANC Tyrell Holcomb and Villareal “VJ” Johnson, a former ANC and president of the Hillcrest Community Civic Association, remain possibilities as well.

Rasheed has been in the race the longest among the top contenders, which could give her a fundraising and organizing edge, but Felder and Thompson have been viewed for some time now as the next generation in the ward (and posted respectable first fundraising reports). Payne is a bit less well known, but raised a sizable chunk of cash upon entering the race last month and has drawn some attention.

This much is clear: Whoever wins will have massive shoes to fill.