Key facts
- Robert White Jr. has won the Democratic primary for the District of Columbia's nonvoting delegate to Congress.
- Incumbent Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, after 18 terms, did not seek reelection.
- White previously served as Norton's legislative counsel and on the D.C. Council.
- White will face Republican Denise Rosado in the general election.
- The D.C. delegate position is nonvoting but allows representation in Congress.
Robert White Jr. is projected to win the Democratic primary for the District of Columbia's nonvoting delegate to Congress, signaling a new political era as incumbent Eleanor Holmes Norton, after 18 terms, opted not to run for reelection.
Norton, 89, faced concerns about her ability to effectively challenge a Republican-led Congress and administration. The nonvoting delegate position allows D.C. residents a voice in Congress through floor speeches and bill introductions, though Congress retains final say on the city's laws and budget.
White, a D.C. native, is a lawyer who previously served as Norton's legislative counsel for five years and also worked in the District of Columbia's attorney general's office. He was elected to an at-large seat on the D.C. Council in 2016.
Norton, a significant figure in the Civil Rights Movement, was also the first woman to lead the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Her departure comes amid broader discussions about generational change within the Democratic Party, highlighted by concerns over President Joe Biden's age.
White told supporters that "Our turn will never come unless we demand it," emphasizing a commitment to the district's representation. He will face Republican Denise Rosado, an immigration attorney, in the general election.