Janeese Lewis George leading D.C. mayoral primary as rival concedes

Washington — Kenyan McDuffie has conceded to Janeese Lewis George in the Washington, D.C. Democratic primary for mayor.

McDuffie said in a statement Thursday that he called Lewis George “to congratulate her on her victory and wish her success as she prepares for the general election.”  

With over 70% of the votes counted, Lewis George, a Democratic socialist candidate, was maintaining a16-point lead against McDuffie.

This was the first time D.C. had used a ranked-choice system for primary voting. Under the system, primary voters could pick one candidate or rank some or all of them. Candidates were eliminated until a candidate received 50% of the vote.

D.C. also has a system in which all registered voters are automatically mailed ballots, meaning many voters mailed in or dropped off their ballots.

D.C. is a heavily Democratic city, so the primary contest, not the November election, is where the real competition lies. 

At Lewis George’s post-election event on Tuesday night, she pledged to protect the city’s autonomy. 

“If there was any doubt, right now we lay it to rest,” she said, according to The Associated Press. “It is the people of D.C. who elect the mayor.”

At McDuffie’s event, he emphasized that D.C. is “under threat,” but added “Donald Trump does not run Washington, D.C.” 

Both Lewis George and McDuffie want to keep the Trump administration’s footprint on D.C. as light as possible and make sure D.C. keeps home rule. Mr. Trump has sought to increase his administration’s influence and presence in D.C. politics, including by the temporary takeover of federal law enforcement and continued presence of the National Guard in D.C. The president insists those measures have made D.C. much safer. 

Mr. Trump was asked, prior to McDuffie conceding, how he would feel if Lewis George becomes mayor. 

“Well, I wouldn’t like it and maybe we’d take back Washington and run it on the federal basis,” he responded. “We won’t put up with it.” 

In 1973, Congress passed the District of Columbia Home Rule Act to grant D.C. residents the ability to elect a mayor and a council. But since D.C. is a federal district, Congress still controls much of its budgetary authority and legislative oversight, and Congress could undo the home rule law. 

Lewis George ran to the left of McDuffie on a platform of universal affordable childcare for all, increasing government-backed housing, and improving other social programs. She has also opposed extending curfews for the city’s youth, which the city curfews D.C. has implemented to curb crimes committed by teenagers as well as enhance youth safety. 

McDuffie ran on a campaign of lowering the cost of living and strengthening public safety, and worked with outgoing D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser on business-friendly projects, like bringing the Commanders football team back to Washington. Bowser has backed him. 

The winner will take over for Mayor Muriel Bowser, who isn’t seeking a fourth term. 

According to the Washington Post, Lewis George and McDuffie crossed paths and greeted each other Tuesday morning and shook hands.