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WASHINGTON - D.C. Councilman Jack Evans beat a challenge from Cary Silverman in the federal city's Ward Two Democratic primary last month. On November 4, Evans faces a Republican challenger, though few see any chance he will lose.

The GOP's Christina Culver is a newcomer to local politics, taking a shot at the longtime Democratic incumbent.

"I've lived in Washington for about 20 years and I love this city," said Culver.

Until now, she's been working at the federal level, on education reform.

"If I'm elected to Ward 2 city council, my goal is to make the schools great, streets safe and small business thrive," she said.

Culver says she would create a small business support system, and affordable housing for police and firefighters in Ward Two.

"Say a tax incentive for living in the city, so they're part of the community," she proposed.

Culver claims neighborhood leaders are disappointed by Evans' leadership, and complain he has overlooked his constituents, focusing instead on "ballparks and big corporate tenants in the city." Evans was one of the major proponents of building the new Nationals Park in Southeast.

"If you take a look at what's going on, we don't need anymore tourist sites," argued Culver. "This whole city is a tourist site."

Culver says projects like the Walter E. Washington Convention Center and the Chinatown redevelopment have done little to help small businesses or to improve the quality of life for families who live in Ward Two.

But Councilmember Evans says the area has served as a catalyst for redevelopment of Ward Two, and the rest of the city.

"All the projects around the convention center, the hotel, Kelsey Gardens, all in Ward 2, all in that neighborhood, all going to improve quality of life there," said Evans.

Evans says he has a dual role: chair of the city's finance and revenue committee and representative of Ward Two.  But Evans says his top priority is constituent services.

"There's not a park, playground, library or government facility in Ward 2 that has not been redone or is under construction," Evans said.

Evans was first elected in 1991. "And so I am now the longest-serving member of the D.C. Council," said Evans.

The longest-serving member in a year that has seen voters yearning for change. But Culver has to overcome the GOP label in a year that has many incumbent Republicans facing tough battles -- all that in a city where Democrats outnumber Republicans 9 to 1.

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