WASHINGTON (AP) — District of Columbia Mayor Vincent Gray is praising Kenyan McDuffie as the person to replace Harry Thomas Jr. on the city council.

Gray on Wednesday at a news conference called McDuffie an “excellent choice” to serve the rest of Thomas’ term, which runs through 2014. McDuffie beat out nine other Democrats, one Republican and one independent in a Ward 5 special election on Tuesday.

Thomas stepped down from his after pleading guilty to embezzling more than $350,000 from the city.

The election results will be certified on May 30 and then McDuffie can be sworn in.

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