Janeese Lewis George, a democratic socialist and current DC councilmember, has been elected the next mayor of Washington, D.C. The 38-year-old secured a decisive victory on Tuesday, winning more than 84 percent of the vote against Green Party candidate Robert Gross and independent candidate Rhonda Hamilton.
Lewis George's election places her among a growing number of democratic socialist mayors in the United States, joining figures like Zohran Mamdani of New York City and Katie Wilson of Seattle. Her win coincided with a broader Democratic sweep of federal offices nationwide.
During her primary campaign, former President Trump had publicly branded Lewis George a "communist" on Truth Social, alleging she intended to "destroy" the city. He specifically cited concerns about her stance on issues such as prison populations, sanctuary city status, immigration enforcement, and police funding. Trump stated his intention to prevent any perceived destruction of Washington, D.C., which he credited himself with making a "Safe and Prestigious Community."
Lewis George's platform focused on affordability, reining in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity within the city, and preserving the District's autonomy from federal control. She also expressed a commitment to advocating for D.C. statehood by building relationships with members of Congress.
She will succeed outgoing Mayor Muriel Bowser, a Democrat who has held the office since 2015 and opted not to seek reelection this cycle. Bowser, who had previously navigated a complex relationship with the Trump administration, offered congratulations to Lewis George and pledged a smooth transition. "I’ll run through the tape and support a seamless transition," Bowser stated. Lewis George responded by thanking Bowser for her service and expressing anticipation for collaborative transition efforts.
In her own statement, Lewis George indicated a willingness to work with the current administration while also asserting her intention to advocate for D.C. residents. "I am willing to work with this administration to the benefit of D.C. residents. And I’m also willing to stand up to this administration when it comes to doing just that," she told FOX 5 DC. She also outlined plans for a forensic analysis of District agencies to ensure fiscal responsibility and accountability to taxpayers.