Janice Louise George, a member of the D.C. City Council and a Democratic Socialist, announced her candidacy for mayor on Monday. She is reportedly inspired by Zoran Mamdani’s campaign in New York.
At 37, Louis George aims to succeed D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, who recently declared she would not run for a fourth term.
“Housing costs are skyrocketing, and people can’t afford the rent. Many are working tirelessly but still feel deprived, while a select few are enjoying the spoils,” Louis George mentioned in a statement, reflecting sentiments that helped propel Mamdani’s success.
“Our communities and families are under siege because we lack the strength to defend them,” the council member added, as scenes of federal agents making arrests played in the background.
“I’m aware this isn’t just about D.C., and that’s why I’m stepping up for mayor,” Louis George said. “It’s essential to have a leader who prioritizes the people’s needs over corruption and greed, standing alongside those who contribute to D.C.’s vitality.”
Recent reports indicated that Louis George plans to assemble a volunteer force of 5,000 for door-to-door outreach and phone banking.
To connect with younger voters, her campaign has also hired a top digital strategist from Mamdani’s team, intending to leverage platforms like TikTok.
Louis George has been a member of the DC Council since 2021.
She has received backing from the Washington D.C. chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, following her 2020 win in District 4.
The organization highlighted her grassroots achievements, asserting that the constituents of the 4th Ward are weary of pro-developer politics, expressing confidence in her commitment to the working class.
Like Mamdani, Louis George has come under fire for her stance on police funding.
“I will certainly divert funds from [D.C.’s Metropolitan Police Department] to violence prevention initiatives. No exceptions,” she previously wrote on social media in late 2019.
However, she later rescinded her support for defunding the police during the 2020 election cycle.
A city council member revealed that, if elected, she plans to employ “evidence-based strategies” for crime prevention, advocating for swift consequences for offenders as the most effective approach.
“In our city, we’ve placed emphasis on sentencing,” Louis George remarked, “but from my experience in law school and as a prosecutor, the key to deterring crime lies in individuals’ perceptions. Are they going to get caught? What’s the likelihood of facing accountability?”
This year, in response to rising crime, former President Trump increased federal law enforcement presence in D.C., an action Louis George openly opposed.
While Bowser criticized Trump’s approach, she later acknowledged it contributed to a decrease in crime rates in the city.
