Janeese Lewis George, a democratic socialist member of the Washington, D.C.City Council described as "D.C.'s version of [New York City Mayor] Zohran Mamdani," is set to become mayor of the nation's capital after her opponent conceded the race Thursday morning. In a city that leans overwhelmingly left and with no real challengers on the ballot, Lewis George will likely win November's general election for mayor.
Her main opponent was former City Council member-at-large Kenyan McDuffie, who conceded the race two days after the primary election, and five other candidates who polled very low: Rini Sampath, Gary Goodweather, Ernest Johnson, Hope Solomon and Vincent Orange.Lewis George is poised to replace current Democrat Mayor Muriel Bowser, who on occasion worked with President Donald Trump over the last two years but ultimately opted not to pursue a fourth term at the city's helm.Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George joined parents, educators, and organizers at a SPACEs In Action and Blandi’s Childcare Center rally to demand funding for the Pay Equity Fund and childcare subsidies at the Blandis Childcare Center in Washington, D.C., on March 27, 2026.(Paul Morigi/Getty Images for SPACEs in Action)With a more adversarial approach to the current administration, Lewis George's victory tees up a potential showdown with Trump as the president made cleaning up D.C.
during his second term a main goal, maintains a deployment of the National Guard to the nation's capital and has threatened repeatedly to end home rule for the district.Opposing Trump's deployment of the National Guard to D.C.was a central tenet of Lewis George's platform on the council and during her campaign.DSA-LINKED DC COUNCILMEMBER MOUNTS MAYORAL BID TO SUCCEED BOWSER"Like many of you, I am shocked and outraged that President Trump has announced he is weaponizing the Home Rule Act by deploying the National Guard and exercising authority over the Metropolitan Police Department.
This is a direct atta...