DC Mayor Race
Janeese Lewis George Secures Democratic Nomination for DC Mayor Amidst Shifting Political Landscape
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Janeese Lewis George, a 38-year-old democratic socialist and Ward 4 council member, won the Democratic nomination for Washington, D.C. mayor on June 16, 2026 — the city's first-ever ranked-choice voting primary USA Today. As of June 17, she held 53% of first-choice votes to 37% for rival Kenyan McDuffie, a commanding 16-point lead The 51st.
In a city where Democrats outnumber Republicans roughly 10-to-1, winning the Democratic primary is tantamount to winning the mayoralty. Lewis George will succeed Muriel Bowser, who is stepping down after three terms and 11 years in office Tallahassee Democrat.
Historic Ranked-Choice Vote Reshapes DC Primary Rules
D.C. voters approved ranked-choice voting in November 2024 via Initiative 83, with 72.9% in favor — roughly 212,000 yes votes USA Today. Under the new rules, voters could rank up to five candidates. If no one tops 50% of first-choice votes, the last-place candidate is eliminated and their votes shift to the next choice on each ballot.
The new system caused hours-long delays in reporting results on election night, drawing frustration from residents and local observers The 51st. Full round-by-round tallies from the D.C. Board of Elections are expected on June 21.
Lewis George Defeats Moderate McDuffie in Ideological Battle
Kenyan McDuffie, an at-large council member backed by the business community, ran as the pragmatic alternative. He framed the race as an "inflection point" between "radical shake-ups" and "fiscally disciplined growth" The 51st. It wasn't enough. Political observers noted voters saw McDuffie as a continuation of the Bowser era at a time when many wanted change.
Lewis George told supporters: "It is the people of D.C. who elect the mayor of D.C. Tonight, we are making history by showing this country that the dream of America is still alive in its capital city" The 51st. Her platform calls for 72,000 new housing units over five years through publicly owned "social housing" — far exceeding McDuffie's proposal of 12,000 units USA Today.
Trump Threatens Federal Takeover If Progressive Wins
President Trump injected himself into the race on June 11, warning: "Maybe we'll take back Washington and run it on the federal basis... We're not going to lose our business" Palm Beach Post. The Metro DC Democratic Socialists of America claimed Trump's threat actually boosted progressive turnout, calling the result a "direct rejection of authoritarian threats."
Legal experts say a full federal takeover is a heavy lift. The Home Rule Act of 1973 requires an Act of Congress to strip D.C. of self-government Cincinnati Enquirer. However, the president can seize control of D.C.'s Metropolitan Police Department for up to 30 days during a declared emergency — a narrower but real lever of power.
Business Groups Warn of Economic Risk Under New Mayor
The Greater Washington Board of Trade has raised concerns about Lewis George's agenda. Her platform includes expanded rent stabilization and new oversight of utility companies like Pepco and Washington Gas to block rate hikes tied to AI data center demand USA Today. Business groups warn these policies could push companies to the suburbs at a time of already-stagnant tax revenue.
A pre-election Washington Post and Schar School poll had Lewis George up 11 points — 39% to 28% — among likely voters Courier Journal. That margin held on election night. She now turns toward the general election in November, where her Democratic affiliation makes her the heavy favorite in one of the most reliably blue cities in the country.
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