Washington D.C. Councilmember Announces Mayoral Campaign

A member of the D.C. City Council, who is affiliated with the Democratic Socialists of America, has declared her intention to run for mayor in Washington D.C. Councilmember Janice Lewis George made the announcement on Monday, stating her plans to vie for the position after current Mayor Muriel Bowser opted not to seek re-election.

George, a progressive Democrat, expressed her concerns about the financial struggles many residents face, calling attention to issues like high housing costs and insufficient child care. “Residents are not receiving equal opportunities, and on good days, city government may seem unresponsive; on bad days, it feels downright neglectful,” she said, adding that it is important for leaders to prioritize the needs of all residents, not just a select few. “That’s wrong. That’s not the Washington, D.C., we’re supposed to be. That’s why I’m running for mayor,” she stated.

Bowser has been in office since 2015 and recently made her announcement about not seeking a fourth term. In response to her decision, George acknowledged Bowser’s contributions to the community by saying, “Washington, D.C. values its leaders, and we remain grateful to Mayor Bowser for her years of dedicated service.”

George first won her City Council seat in 2020 with support from the Democratic Socialists of America, who recognized her as a significant candidate. Earlier this year, she was quite vocal against former President Trump’s decision to deploy the National Guard and utilize local police for crime control in the capital.

“Like many, I am both shocked and outraged by President Trump’s announcement regarding the National Guard. This is a real threat to the 700,000 residents of D.C., and we will not tolerate it,” her statement emphasized.