Facing west across Arlington County, Virginia towards Ballston. Image by NCinDC licensed under Creative Commons.

This week Northam names his pick in Virginia's contentious 10th congressional district, Bowser delivers the final State of the District of her first term, and candidates across the region make the case that we can somehow have affordable housing without adding many homes.

Northam weighs in on a congressional race targeted by both parties
Virginia Governor Ralph Northam endorsed state Senator Jennifer Wexton in the race for Virginia’s 10th congressional district. No clear frontrunner has yet emerged in the Democratic primary, where Wexton faces six opponents. The general election, against Republican incumbent Barbara Comstock, is expected to be highly competitive. Northam and Wexton worked together when Northam presided over the state Senate as lieutenant governor. (Jenna Portnoy / Post)

High childcare costs make DC unaffordable for many
In addition to high housing costs, DC parents have to shell out thousands of dollars per month for childcare until their kids qualify for universal Pre-K at age three. Ward 6 Candidate Lisa Hunter proposes a series of policies to support both parents and childcare workers, including rolling back expensive education requirements for workers, expanding subsidy programs, and better advertising existing subsidies. (Lisa Hunter)

The State of the District is…well, it depends
Mayor Bowser delivered her final State of the District speech of her first term this past week. She acknowledged that “trust needs to be rebuilt” in the education system, but provided no details as to how that would be achieved. She highlighted the many ways in which the District is thriving as well as the deep challenges that persist throughout the city. (Peter Jamison and Fenit Niappil / Post)

Another longshot mayoral candidate appears as the deadline nears
Libertarian Party activist Martin Moulton has filed papers to run for both mayor and DC Council chairman. It is not yet clear which race Moulton will prioritize and whether he will run as a Democrat or a Libertarian. The filing deadline for the June primary is today. (Lou Chibbaro Jr. / Blade)

Maryland Working Families backs Donna Edwards
The progressive group Maryland Working Families has endorsed former congresswoman Donna F. Edwards in her bid to become the next county executive of Prince George's County. The group highlighted Edward’s support for an increase to the minimum wage and better paid family leave. Maryland Working Families has 32,000 members in the county. (Rachel Chason / Post)

I’d do anything for transit-oriented development, but I won’t do that
Development was a big focus at a Chevy Chase debate that included nine candidates for Montgomery County Council's first district. Some candidates are anti-development and some are pro-development. Many, however, seem to be for transit-oriented development and increased density in theory, but against it in practice. (Andrew Metcalf / Bethesda Beat)