DC Council candidates square off at forum - DC Breaking Local News Weather Sports FOX 5 WTTG

Early voting begins Monday in DC.

Nearly a dozen City Council candidates and incumbents spent the last evening before the polls open-, vying for last minute votes at a forum hosted by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.

There was a common thread of questions the audience wanted answered, topping the list.. how some of the councilmembers like Michael A Brown plan to win back the public's trust after an onslaught of scandals.

"I'm not perfect,but I take full responsibility for it,"Brown says,

Ward Four Councilmember Muriel Bowser has spear headed an effort to get new ethics rules in place for the council.

She's been rewarded with overwhelming support from her constituents.

" 67 percent of the people in my district went to the polls in April and said I deserve another term," Bowser says. " And nobody's running against me."

While forums are good opportunities for the public to meet those running for office, they aren't the only way.

Ward Seven candidate Ron Moten was involved in a huge Twitter battle overnight with incumbent Yvette Alexander who he says refuses to debate him.

"You go to our timelines and see that we really got into it," Moten says. "It's just another way to do this, on Twitter."

But since not all voters are social media savvy, forums are a tried and tested way for candidates to get their messages out.

"Four years ago when I knocked on your door, I told you I would fight for affordable housing," Brown told the crowd. "I've become the champion of affordable housing."

The candidates know the forums aren't throwaway events either.

They can be game changers.

"I'm voting for the incumbents," Inez Saki-Cay says. " I didn't hear anything from anyone voting for office that would make me want to give my vote away."

Eight polls will be open in DC beginning Monday, October 22nd for early voting. You can cast your ballot at any one of them.