Washington, D.C., is on track to elect a new mayor after Democratic City Councilwoman Janeese Lewis George won the Democratic mayoral primary, positioning her as the overwhelming favorite in the heavily Democratic nation’s capital.
With 75 percent of the vote counted, the Associated Press projected Lewis George as the winner with 52.9 percent of first-choice votes. Former City Councilman Kenyan McDuffie finished second with 36.4 percent. The race was not called until nearly two days after polls closed because it marked the first mayoral election in the District to use ranked-choice voting.
No other candidate received more than four percent of the vote.
Lewis George has represented Ward 4 on the D.C. Council since 2021 after defeating a more moderate Democrat in the party primary. Throughout the campaign, she openly embraced her identity as a democratic socialist and drew comparisons to New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, whose campaign also centered on affordability and expanding public services. Lewis George likewise focused much of her platform on addressing the rising cost of living while advocating for greater public investment.
The primary followed the decision by longtime Mayor Muriel Bowser not to seek a fourth term after leading the city since 2015. With Democrats dominating local politics in Washington, the primary victory places Lewis George in a strong position heading into the general election.
Her campaign, however, did not escape criticism, particularly on public safety.
McDuffie repeatedly argued that Lewis George had opposed key crime legislation during her time on the council. He highlighted her decision not to support major public safety bills passed in 2023 and criticized her vote against legislation that would have allowed landlords to evict tenants accused of violent behavior. He framed those votes as evidence that the city needed a tougher approach as residents continue to express concerns about crime.
Lewis George has rejected the characterization that she is weak on public safety. She has said her vision includes improving police recruitment, retention, officer morale, and law enforcement while also investing in broader community-based solutions.
The issue became especially prominent as Washington experienced a series of highly publicized “teen takeovers,” gatherings involving large groups of young people that in some cases led to arrests, property damage, and violence. While some officials supported imposing youth curfews, Lewis George opposed that approach, arguing that the city should instead invest more heavily in safe spaces, youth programs, and organized activities designed to give teenagers constructive alternatives.
She has also expressed concern about the role of federal law enforcement in the city. Speaking earlier in 2025, Lewis George criticized the presence of federal personnel and Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, arguing that their involvement in enforcement actions involving young people raised concerns about training and de-escalation practices.
McDuffie countered that community investments alone would not be sufficient, arguing that the city needed immediate action to address rising public safety concerns. He maintained that inaction was not an acceptable response as violent incidents continued to draw attention across the District.
Public safety remained a major political issue throughout the campaign, particularly after President Donald Trump ordered the deployment of the National Guard to Washington in August 2025 as part of a broader effort to combat crime in the city.
Lewis George also entered the race with strong backing from several progressive organizations, including the Working Families Party, Metro D.C. Democratic Socialists of America, and Our America.
With the Democratic nomination now secured, Lewis George appears poised to become Washington’s next mayor, inheriting a city facing persistent debates over affordability, public safety, housing, and the role of government in addressing those challenges.
