Midnight Updates on D.C. Mayoral Race

As the clock struck midnight, vote counting was still underway on the East Coast. Janice Lewis George, the Socialist Party’s mayoral candidate for Washington, D.C., was leading the race to succeed outgoing Mayor Muriel Bowser.

By midnight Eastern time on Wednesday, George had captured 52.6% of the votes, with 66% of ballots counted, as reported by the Associated Press. The runner-up, Kenyan R. McDuffie, stood at 36.8%.

Supporters of George suggest there’s a link between the improvements observed in crime rates in the nation’s capital and the federal crime initiatives launched during Trump’s presidency, as well as the use of National Guard in the city last year. They point to a notable decrease in violent crimes.

Former President Trump has stated that he would enforce another federal takeover of Washington, D.C., should George’s “crazy socialist” campaign succeed.

When asked how he would respond to someone he labels as a Democratic socialist taking a seat in the D.C. City Council, Trump remarked, “I don’t want that. We might take back Washington and run it on a federal basis.” He added at a recent press conference, “We’re not going to hold back. We’re not going to lose business.”

In reaction to Trump’s threats regarding a federal intervention, George labeled them “an attack on democracy itself.”

As the leading Democrat in this race, George is vying for a position in a city where approximately 75% of voters are registered as Democrats. This election will mark the first implementation of ranked voting in Washington, D.C., which could potentially prolong the process of announcing an official winner.

Meanwhile, voters are also participating in a Democratic primary to select a new non-voting U.S. delegate following the retirement of Eleanor Holmes Norton. Shortly after midnight, it was confirmed that Congressman Robert White has won that contest.