In the District’s most diverse ward, a political newcomer is challenging a two-term incumbent.

Chad Williams, a 34-year-old real estate consultant, faces an uphill battle against Ward 1 Council Member Jim Graham. Graham, 61, has raised about $215,000 for his campaign, while Williams has raised about $10,000 and said he will have spent close to $100,000 of his own money by the Sept. 12 primary.

Crime, education and affordable housing are top campaign issues in Ward 1, which includes Adams Morgan, Columbia Heights and Mount Pleasant. It is the only ward with no ethnic majority.

In his last term, Graham said, he established a police substation and moved the previously divided ward into a single police district, and he plans to continue efforts to expand the police force. But Williams said increased police presence will not deter crime.

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“What prevents crime is providing economic opportunities for young African American and Latino men and women who commit petty crimes for cash, and having structured recreational programs,” he said.

Williams advocates stronger penalties for juvenile curfew violations and mandatory gun sentencing.

In terms of education, Graham favors giving the mayor more power to administer the $2 billion the D.C. City Council recently approved for school construction over the next 10 years. Williams also emphasized the importance of modernizing school facilities.

The rent-control reform he authored this year will have a major impact on affordable housing, Graham said. Williams seeks to help developers designate more affordable housing units, as well as cap property taxes at 12 percent.

The Williams campaign suffered a blow in July when he appeared in D.C. Superior Court on a simple assault charge. Williams said the complainant, a former girlfriend, had been harassing him for nine months when she arrived at his door one night in March. When she refused to leave, Williams said, he placed his hands on her shoulders to escort her out.

Under a deferred sentencing program, the court will expunge Williams’ record after he completes an anger management course and community service, he said.

Williams has charged that Graham neglects the area east of 16th Street, but Graham noted that the new substation is on the ward’s east side and said he has strong support on Georgia Avenue.

“The people over there appreciate my efforts,” he said, “and I think the election results will show that.”

Both Williams and Graham are Democrats facing no other political challengers for the seat.