Barry Won’t Back Anyone in Mayoral Race

WASHINGTON — Mayor Marion Barry said Friday that he will endorse none of the five Democrats vying for his job and urged his loyalists to back whatever candidate they choose.

“What I’ve decided to do . . . is not make any public endorsement,” Barry told about 100 supporters gathered outside the federal courthouse where his drug and perjury trial is being held. “Those (supporters) who feel compelled to move on can do so.”

Top city government sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the mayor realized that his shrinking number of supporters already were making their own choices.

“He knows that his organization is already beginning to slip away,” said one of the mayor’s top political advisers. “At this point, he doesn’t have much to deliver anyway.”

Barry refused to rule out the possibility of making an endorsement in the future, but said that for now, “I am busy with my trial in the courtroom here.”

Barry announced on June 13 that he would not seek a fourth term while battling the criminal charges. The 54-year-old mayor has pleaded innocent to 10 misdemeanor cocaine possession charges, one misdemeanor cocaine conspiracy charge and three felony counts of lying to a grand jury about his alleged drug use.

Five candidates are seeking the Democratic nomination.