Janice Lewis George Secures Democratic Mayoral Primary in D.C.

Janice Lewis George, a socialist city council member, has won the Democratic primary for mayor in Washington, D.C., positioning herself to potentially lead the city known for its strong Democratic leanings.

George garnered 52.9% of the first-choice votes, outpacing former City Council member Kenya McDuffie, who obtained 36.4%, according to reports. By Thursday, about 75% of the vote had been counted, and the Associated Press called the race nearly two days after polls closed.

This election marked the first time D.C. employed ranked-choice voting, which contributed to a slower resolution of the results. It’s notable that no other candidate managed to secure more than 4% of the vote.

Since winning the 2021 primary against a moderate Democrat, George has represented the 4th District. Her campaign drew comparisons to New York City’s Mayor Zoran Mamdani, also a self-identified socialist, with a shared focus on issues like cost of living and public services.

Incumbent Mayor Muriel Bowser, a Democrat who has held office since 2015, is not seeking a fourth term.

Kenya McDuffie has been a member of the D.C. City Council representing the 5th District for nearly a decade, including a three-year stint as an at-large councilman.

During the campaign, McDuffie criticized George, highlighting her dissent against a comprehensive crime bill in 2023 and her opposition to legislation permitting landlords to evict violent tenants.

George expressed her intention to focus on “retention, hiring, morale, and policing” in future initiatives.

With increasing concerns regarding teenage takeovers and related violence in D.C., George opposed the implementation of a youth curfew. Instead, she proposed investing in safe spaces and activities for young people as a more effective solution.

She described the presence of federal agents in the city as dangerous, emphasizing the need for de-escalation training for those enforcing laws against the youth.

McDuffie countered that a passive approach to crime is not viable, calling for active measures to address the issue.

In response to rising crime, President Donald Trump deployed the National Guard to D.C. in August 2025.

George received endorsements from several organizations, including the Working Families Party and the Metro DC American Democratic Socialist Party.