Socialist DC mayoral candidate Janeese Lewis George leads primary vote
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Socialist Washington D.C. mayoral candidate Janeese Lewis George is ahead in her bid to replace outgoing mayor Muriel Bowser as midnight passes on the East Coast and ballots continue to be counted throughout the night.
As of 12 a.m. Wednesday morning, George was leading with 52.6% of the vote after 66% of the votes had been counted, the Associated Press reported. The next closest candidate, Kenyan R. McDuffie, has 36.8%.
The nation’s capital has been at the center of the Trump administration’s nationwide crackdown on crime during its second term, and Trump sent the National Guard to the area last year. Violent crime numbers are plummeting.
Trump claimed he would order a federal takeover of Washington DC if his “crazy socialist” mayoral candidate is elected.
LUIGI MANGIONE SUPPORTER RUNNING FOR FAR LEFT DC MAYOR CANDIDATE SIMILAR TO MAMDANI
Ward 4 Councilwoman Janeese Lewis George joins parents, educators and organizers at the SPACEs In Action and Blandi Child Care Center rally to demand funding for the Pay Equity Fund and child care subsidies at Blandis Child Care Center in Washington, DC on March 27, 2026. (L) Donald Trump speaks with members of the media outside the Oval Office of the White House on Monday, April 13 in Washington, DC, USA. 2026. (Paul Morigi/Getty Images for SPACEs in Action; Salwan Georges/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
“I wouldn’t like it, and maybe we’ll take back Washington, run it on a federal basis,” Trump said when asked by reporters how he would react if he won the bid of a self-described Democratic socialist D.C. council member.
“We’re not going to put up with this. We’re not going to lose our jobs,” Trump said at a White House press conference on Thursday.
George called Trump’s threat of a second takeover an “attack on democracy itself.”
The suspect who shot the DC guard looked down on the death penalty at his first court appearance.
Ward 4 Councilwoman Janeese Lewis-George speaks at the “Child Care Rally” event aimed at raising funds for child care on May 12, 2025 at Freedom Plaza in Washington, DC. (Paul Morigi/Getty Images for SPACEs in Action)
George, who has emerged as the Democratic favorite, is leading a race that will determine the overall winner in a city where about 75% of voters are registered Democrats.
Washington D.C. is using ranked-choice voting for the first time, which could delay certification of an official winner.
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Washington DC’s skyline is shown with various buildings under a clear sky. (Saul Loeb/Getty)
Voters in Washington D.C. were also voting in the Democratic primary to determine the next absentee U.S. Delegate following the retirement of Democrat Eleanor Holmes Norton.
Shortly after midnight, the Associated Press called for the winner of the race, At-Large Council member Robert White.
Fox News Digital’s Elaine Mallon contributed to this report
