Leon Andrews

Leon T. Andrews Jr. is an American urban planning specialist and civic leader. He is currently a director at the National League of Cities. He has been a candidate to represent on the D.C. Council<ref name=wp.fundraise/>
Early life and education
Andrews is a native Washingtonian who has lived in Ward 4 since at least 2009.<ref name=wusa.guide/> He received a bachelor's degree from Howard University in political science, and attended Carnegie Mellon University where he earned a Master of Science in Public Policy and Management . He is currently enrolled in the Ph.D. program at Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning.<ref namenrpa/><ref namewusa.guide/>
Career
At the National League of Cities he worked as a fellow at the Institute for Youth, Education, and Families. In that role he headed the City Leadership to Promote Black Male Achievement Technical Assistance Initiative which provides technical assistance to cities launching achievement programs for black males.<ref namebma/> He believes the success of these empowerment programs is tied to its ability to engage a diverse group of stakeholders.<ref namebma/> He also led IYEF's youth development work with mayors and other leaders around the country<ref name=ncdc/>
Earlier, he worked as a legislative assistant to Maryland Senator Barbara Mikulski <ref namebma/><ref namencdc/> and as a case analyst for the United States Department of Justice.<ref namenrpa/><ref namebma/> He has consulted for IBM.<ref name=bma/>
He has taught as an adjunct professor in the Department of Political Science at Eastern Michigan University.<ref name=nrpa/>
Andrews serves on the boards of the National Recreation and Park Association, the Youth Planners Network, and Healthy Kids Healthy Schools. He is a member of the National Review Group of the Safe Routes to School initiative.<ref name=changeleab/>
Campaign
2016
Andrews is a candidate for the Ward 4 seat in the June 15, 2016 election, opposing candidate Brandon Todd. In April 2016 it was announced that seven of the opponents in the 2015 special election were united in their support for Andrews.<ref namewcp.unite/> He was endorsed by the advocacy group DC4Democracy.<ref namewcp.endorsement/>
Positions
Andrews opposed the merger between DC utilities Pepco and Exelon.<ref namedcist.exelon/> He appeared alongside Councilmembers Elissa Silverman, Mary Cheh and Charles Allen at a March 2016 rally.<ref namedcist.exelon/>
2015
In his unsuccessful campaign to replace Muriel Bowser in the 2015 special election, Andrews raised $144,225 and was the second-best funded opponent to Brandon Todd, who previously served as Bowser's communication director and spent his entire career in her employ.<ref namewcp.campaign/><ref nameksnw/>
When asked references by a community group, he was the only candidate who could provide a name of someone outside of D.C., offering the mayors of Philadelphia, New Orleans, Little Rock, and Jackson.<ref name=ksnw/>
Positions
As part of his platform, he aimed to reopen a Ward 4 middle school faster than Mayor Bowser’s budget proposes and on spurring business development. To fight growing crime, he proposed improving streetscape lighting and lines of sight.<ref name=ksnw/>
Personal life
He is married to Dr. Kristine M. Andrews and has three daughters - Jessica Austin, Julia Iris, and Joanna Jonas.<ref namenrpa/> He resides in the Brightwood neighborhood.<ref namewusa.guide/>

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