Key facts
- Washington, D.C. voters are casting ballots in primaries for mayor and delegate to Congress.
- This is the first time the district is using ranked-choice voting.
- The mayoral race features Democratic front-runners Janeese Lewis George and Kenyan McDuffie.
- Brooke Pinto and Robert White Jr. are leading candidates to replace outgoing delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton.
- President Donald Trump has previously suggested a federal takeover of Washington.
- Candidates are prioritizing issues like affordability and public safety amidst federal intervention concerns.
Voters in Washington, D.C. are heading to the polls for primary elections to select candidates for mayor and the district's delegate to Congress. This election is notable for being the first time the city is implementing ranked-choice voting, a system that election officials have cautioned could delay results. The primaries are taking place against a backdrop of significant federal oversight and concerns about the Trump administration's influence over local autonomy.
The race for mayor is particularly prominent, as incumbent Muriel Bowser is not seeking a fourth term. The leading Democratic candidates are Ward 4 Councilwoman Janeese Lewis George and former At-Large Councilman Kenyan McDuffie. For the position of congressional delegate, which has been held by Eleanor Holmes Norton for 18 terms, council member Brooke Pinto and at-large council member Robert White Jr. are among the top contenders. Republican Denise Rosado is running unopposed for the delegate position.
The relationship between Washington, D.C., and the federal government, particularly the Trump administration, has been a central theme in the campaigns. The city's limited autonomy means federal leaders have considerable control over its budget and laws. President Trump has previously suggested a federal takeover of the city and has implemented actions such as a federal law enforcement surge and National Guard deployment, alongside efforts to downsize the federal government that impacted the region.
Candidates are prioritizing issues such as affordability and public safety. Lewis George has stated her top priority is addressing the affordability crisis, which she attributes in part to the Trump administration's actions. McDuffie's focus is on public safety, proposing an increase in police officers and a public health approach to violence reduction. Pinto and White Jr. also emphasize self-governance and affordability.
Amanda Huron, a professor at the University of the District of Columbia, highlighted the symbolic importance of how the federal government treats its capital city, suggesting it could foreshadow broader national treatment. Residents like Pat Wheeler expressed concern about the potential for federal pushback against the city's home rule authority, given the power President Trump wields over Congress.