Janeese Lewis George is poised to become Washington, D.C.’s next mayor after Kenyan McDuffie conceded the Democratic primary on Thursday.
Lewis George’s likely victory signals a new chapter for the district, setting her on a potential collision course with President Donald Trump during the remaining years of his administration.
Although the Associated Press had not yet officially declared the race, Lewis George has consistently led McDuffie in all but one of the city’s wards since vote counting began on Tuesday. McDuffie acknowledged Lewis George’s lead, stating he had called to congratulate her on her victory and wished her success in the upcoming general election.
Facing no significant opposition in November’s general election, Lewis George is on a clear path to succeed Mayor Muriel Bowser next year, marking the first change in Washington’s executive leadership since Bowser assumed office in January 2015.
Throughout a primary filled with anti-Trump Democrats, Lewis George distinguished herself as a candidate unafraid to challenge the president. She committed to overturning the order permitting the city’s police to collaborate with federal immigration agents and vowed to take a firm legal stance against any attempts by Trump to undermine the District’s autonomy.
In a recent interview with POLITICO, Lewis George stated she would “actively tell our employees to resist” should Trump again try to federalize the Metropolitan Police Department.
This stance positions the democratic socialist in direct opposition to a president who has sought to tighten his control over the district, implementing extraordinary measures to curb crime and accelerate ambitious beautification and construction projects in the city.
When asked about the possibility of Lewis George emerging victorious in the primary, Trump expressed his disapproval, stating: “I wouldn’t like it.” He further commented, “Maybe we’ll take back Washington, run it on a federal basis. We won’t put up with it. We’re not gonna lose our businesses.”
Lewis George, a 38-year-old third-generation Washingtonian, has represented D.C.’s 4th Ward on the Council since 2021. Her progressive campaign promised a departure from Bowser’s administration, positioning herself as a champion for the working class and a challenger to Trump. Her platform, which includes universal child care, social housing, and public safety reforms, energized a coalition of voters characterized as young, white, college-educated, and relatively new to Washington, according to polling.
McDuffie, her main rival, portrayed himself as a pro-business pragmatist and received Bowser’s tacit support.
The leadership transition in Washington occurs amidst a period of upheaval in the city.
Washington, D.C., is grappling with a $1.1 billion budget shortfall, which Bowser has argued should be addressed through cuts to social services. The Trump administration’s reduction in government funding and federal workforce has significantly impacted Washington, leading to the highest job losses of any metro area in the country during 2025. Additionally, Trump’s attempts to control the city by temporarily taking over the MPD and deploying the National Guard indefinitely have been deeply unpopular among residents.
Washington relies on the federal government for several key projects that could boost the sluggish economy, such as upgrades to Union Station and the redevelopment of the RFK Stadium campus. Lewis George expressed to POLITICO her willingness to collaborate with the administration on these projects, yet she also vowed to “stand up to anyone who harms our communities or threatens home rule.”
The contest between Lewis George and McDuffie, whose base leaned towards Black, older, and lifelong District residents, became increasingly tense in its final weeks. Lewis George secured endorsements from numerous top unions, while McDuffie garnered support from establishment Democrats, including Sharon Pratt, Tony Williams, and Jaime Harrison.
Focusing on affordability, Lewis George attributed rising costs to Trump and advocated for constructing 72,000 new housing units, in contrast to McDuffie’s proposal of 12,000. McDuffie contended that imposing higher taxes on businesses to fund ambitious social programs would deter them from remaining in the district, worsening its economic challenges.
The candidates also differed on public safety, a key issue amid Trump’s crime crackdown. Lewis George, first elected to the Council following the 2020 social justice protests, advocated for public safety reform through a comprehensive approach to crime prevention, emphasizing community programs and non-police responses.
