Washington DC – Janeese Lewis George, a Democratic Socialist candidate who has pledged a tough approach to US President Donald Trump, is on track to become the next mayor of Washington DC.
Following Tuesday's primary, Lewis George held a commanding lead. Her main rival, Kenyan McDuffie, conceded on Thursday, all but securing her victory.
Washington DC leans heavily Democratic, and the primary winner typically prevails in the November general election. No Republican candidate is running for the post, though independent or third-party candidates may enter the race.
Lewis George, a city council member and former prosecutor, secured endorsements from labor groups by vowing to set clear boundaries with the Trump administration, including ending cooperation between local police and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. Her win would make her the first member of the Democratic Socialists of America — which also includes New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez — to lead Washington DC.
Her opponent, McDuffie, a former council member, drew support from the DC business community and positioned himself as a centrist. His style resembled that of incumbent Mayor Muriel Bowser, who has struck a balance between criticism and cooperation with Trump.
For his part, the US president has made his preference clear, hinting he might 'take back Washington and run it on a federal basis' if Lewis George becomes mayor.
Washington DC is a federal district, giving the White House and Congress greater authority. However, under a 1973 law, the district has a 'home rule' mechanism, allowing residents to elect a mayor, council members, and neighborhood commissioners to manage day-to-day affairs.
Activists have long called for the district, with a population of over 700,000, to become a state. Both Lewis George and McDuffie supported statehood for DC.
Since taking office in January last year, Trump has repeatedly threatened to tighten control over the district.
He temporarily federalized the city's police force in August last year, citing a crime emergency, stepped up federal immigration enforcement in the district, and deployed the National Guard as part of a 'beautification' project.
In response to Trump's threats ahead of Tuesday's vote, Lewis George argued for a strong response.
'We will not be able to remove ICE from our streets or protect Home Rule by being afraid of this president,' she said.
'Threatening DC because you don't like how our residents vote is an attack on democracy itself. The people of DC elect the DC mayor. And they want someone who will stand up to Trump,' she added.
