DC, like many locales in the US, is essentially a one-party system. Just like the Chinese leadership is decided by which faction dominates the CCP, the local party bureaucracy will shape the character of DC politics for years. (Also, vote the Free DC slate.)
This intra-party contest is just that, party politics. Why is the official DC ballot cluttered with these contests, even overshadowing real, public official posts at stake? If taxpayers are going to pay - party contests ought to be at least on a totally separate ballot, not commingled with real government jobs.