Graham to name new chief of staff, Hispanic liaison

D.C. Council member Jim Graham (D-Ward 1), who faces a potentially tough campaign next year, will hold a press conference Wednesday to announce his new chief of staff: Calvin Woodland Jr., who has worked with Graham since his first election in 1998.

Woodland is the son of the late Calvin Woodland Sr., a prominent community activist.

Woodland replaces Ted Loza, who was indicted in September on charges he accepted a bribe to try to influence pending taxicab legislation. Graham was not charged in the federal probe, but the investigation has heightened speculation that he could face a serious challenge next year.

In Ward 1, the only ward without a clear racial majority, outreach to various ethnic groups has been key to Graham's success. For years, Loza also served as Graham's link to the large Hispanic community in Ward 1.

Graham will also announce Wednesday that Jackie Reyes, who had worked as a program analyst in the D.C. Department of Employment Services, will become his director of Latino Affairs and Community Outreach.

Reyes left her city job in November to help organize Hispanics to oppose the council's decision not to confirm Ximena Hartsock as the director of Parks and Recreation. By tapping Reyes, Graham is sending a signal he hopes to harness the community's activism surrounding that issue - before Hispanic activists use their newfound political clout against him in 2010.

-- Tim Craig