Kathleen Patterson

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Kathleen Patterson (b. June 21, 1948^[1]) is a politician from Washington, DC, the capital of the United States. She is formerly a Democratic member of the Council of the District of Columbia, where she served as the elected Councilmember for Ward 3, a post now held by Councilmember Mary Cheh. (See also, List of neighborhoods of the District of Columbia by ward).

Patterson was beaten in a landslide victory by Chairman-elect Vincent Gray on September 12, 2006. Her election loss was attributed to racial politics by some Patterson supporters, while others felt that her tough-talking style was too abrasive to lead the Council. Patterson said afterwards, "I have no apologies, and I have no regrets." (Washington Post, Sept 13, 2006)

Patterson is a 29-year resident of the District. She is the mother of two children, Gillian, 19, and Patrick 22. Originally from Chico, California, Kathy came to the District in January 1977 to be a Washington correspondent for the Kansas City Star.

Patterson ran for Council in 1994, presenting herself as a parent concerned about public education in the District. At the time she was working as communications director for the American Public Welfare Association, a national nonprofit organization that represents state human service agencies and works with Congress and the White House on poverty and children’s issues. Her grassroots campaign successfully ousted a two-term incumbent in the Democratic primary. The voters of Ward 3 returned her to the Council three times, most recently with nearly 80% of the vote.

On the Council, Patterson has focused on fiscal responsibility, stronger public schools, and accountability from District government officials. She served as chair of the Committee on Government Operations from 1997 through 2000, led the Committee on the Judiciary from January 2001 through 2004, and now serves as chair of the Committee on Education, Libraries, and Recreation.

Now with her recent election loss, Patterson has not publicly announced where she will focus her time. Upon retirement from D.C. politics, Patterson has many options

Patterson holds a degree in journalism from Northwestern University and a master's degree in English literature from Georgetown University.