Robert White has secured a win in the Washington, D.C., delegate Democratic primary, positioning him to become the first new Congressional delegate from the U.S. capital in over 35 years.
This victory signals a new era for Washington, which has been under the representation of Democratic Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton in the House since 1991.
In this predominantly Democratic district, White does not face significant general election opposition. He is set to step into a role where he can advocate for the city but lacks voting power, at a time when President Donald Trump’s administration has been exerting pressure during his second term.
White’s rise marks the culmination of a lengthy career for Holmes Norton, who was once his employer. Known for her behind-the-scenes work in Congress, she played a pivotal role in reorganizing Washington’s finances in the 1990s and bringing significant federal projects and jobs to the district. Her key initiative, D.C. statehood, evolved from a local idea to a major Democratic issue, leading to House approval of statehood bills in 2020 and 2021.
Recently, Holmes Norton’s influence and prominence have diminished, with concerns about the 89-year-old’s mental sharpness and capability becoming frequent news in 2025. In October, D.C. police reported that she lost over $4,000 in a scam, with the initial police report stating she was in the “early stages of dementia.”
White, a fifth-generation Washingtonian, has been serving as an at-large member of the D.C. Council since 2016 and will become the third delegate from Washington since the role was reinstated in 1970.
He contended with primary rival and fellow Council member Brooke Pinto, campaigning on a platform that emphasized enhancing affordability and public safety, while upholding the district’s self-governance—potentially leading to conflicts with the president.
In a recent POLITICO interview, White criticized Trump’s law enforcement measures in the city, including the federalization of the Metropolitan Police Department and the deployment of the National Guard and federal immigration officers, labeling them as “lawlessness” rather than true public safety. He also committed to reintroducing a bill that Holmes Norton had long advocated, which would transfer control of the D.C. National Guard from the president to the District’s mayor.
The race became contentious at times. In April, Pinto’s campaign published a 67-page opposition research file on White, containing details about his family and personal finances. White demanded Pinto withdraw from the race. Subsequently, Pinto’s campaign revised the dossier, removing family-related information and issuing an apology to White.
