Kathleen Patterson

Who is Kathleen Patterson?

Kathleen "Kathy" Patterson is a politician from Washington, D.C. From 1995 to 2007, she was a Democratic member of the Council of the District of Columbia, where she served as the elected member for Ward 3, a post now held by Mary Cheh.

Patterson ran for council chairman and was beaten in a landslide by Vincent C. 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."

Originally from Chico, California, Patterson came to the District in January 1977 to be a Washington correspondent for The Kansas City Star. She is the mother of two children, Gillian and Patrick.

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.