Diagnosed with dementia DC Councilman Vince Gray will no longer vote on laws

WASHINGTON — D.C. Councilman and former Mayor Vincent Gray will not vote on D.C. laws until the end of his term in January, revealing Thursday that he was diagnosed with dementia. 

The 81-year-old councilman represents D.C. Ward 7 on the council, which makes up much of Northeast D.C., including Deanwood, Capitol View, Benning Heights and Marshall Heights. 

"I am experiencing early onset, age-related dementia," Gray said, "Every person in a position of responsibility who has cognitive decline must make their own decision about how and when to adjust ... I do not want to cast a vote on an issue which I may not be able to fully consider." 

According to a court petition obtained by WUSA9, Gray has suffered four strokes since November 2021. 

"He is nearly fully paralyzed and has use of only one arm," the conservator petition from the lawyer for Gray's children reads. "At times, Vincent Gray's speech and cognition have been severely and negatively impacted by strokes." 

The petition written by lawyers representing Gray's children leveled accusations against Gray's wife, Dawn Kum, who they believe has been taking advantage of the councilman's deteriorating condition. 

"Kum attempted to book an international private jet flight for herself and Vincent Gray at the cost of $80,000, to travel to Dawn Kum's home country, " the petition reads. "Petitioners' cousin refused to book the flight, communicating to DK that in VG's weakened state, any medical incident in the air could cause VG to die before the plane could land near a hospital." 

Gray had announced in December 2023, that he would not run for another term as councilman for Ward 7. 

Gray once presided over the council as mayor of D.C. from 2011 to 2015. Gray was first elected to represent Ward 7 in 2004. Before running for mayor in 2010, Gray was the city council chairman.  After losing the Democratic mayoral primary to Muriel Bowser, Gray returned to the city council in 2017 and has represented Ward 7 ever since. 

The councilmember said he would not resign from office but instead he would place his trust in his fellow members regarding decisions until the end of his term on Jan. 2, 2025. 

"I have complete confidence in the collective judgement of my council peers," Gray said. "My mind is at ease regarding all matters slated to come before the council between now and the New Year. 

The election to decide Gray's successor will be held on Nov. 5. Wendell Felder, who won the Democratic primary in June, is facing Republican Noah Montgomery in that race.