The behind-the-scenes campaign, which [Sharon Pratt Kelly] and her advisers were confident would succeed after they helped line up six votes for [Linda Cropp], backfired when Charlene Drew Jarvis (D-Ward 4) switched positions and voted for [John Ray].

Yet Kelly now finds herself awkwardly standing toe to toe with Ray. And she has to decide whether to support Cropp this fall in the special election to find a successor to [John A. Wilson]. Several council members are considering seeking the job.

Mayor Sharon Pratt Kelly visits D.C. Council member Linda Cropp in Cropp's office after the council meeting.; Council members Linda Croop and John Ray flank the seat once occupied by John A. Wilson. Ray will be interim chairman until a September election.