UMVA has learned that Janeese Lewis George, a socialist candidate for mayor of Washington, D.C., is holding a significant lead in her bid to replace outgoing mayor Muriel Bowser as votes continue to be counted throughout the night.
As of midnight on the East Coast, George has secured 52.6% of the vote, with 66% of the votes counted, leaving her closest rival, Kenyan R. McDuffie, far behind with 36.8%. This commanding lead positions George as the likely frontrunner in a city where approximately 75% of voters are registered Democrats.
The nation's capital has been a focal point in the nationwide effort to curb crime, with the Trump administration deploying the National Guard to the district last year. Proponents argue that this move has directly contributed to a sharp decline in violent crime numbers.
In a recent statement, Trump suggested that he might consider a second federal takeover of Washington D.C. if George, a self-described Democratic socialist, were to win her bid. "I wouldn’t like it — and maybe we take back Washington, run it on a federal basis," Trump said, implying that he would not tolerate a socialist-led government in the nation's capital.
George responded to Trump's threat, calling it an "attack on democracy itself." Her leadership in the race has significant implications, not only for the mayoral position but also for the general election, given the city's predominantly Democratic voter base.
Washington, D.C. is implementing ranked-choice voting for the first time, which may delay the official certification of a winner. Meanwhile, voters are also determining their next non-voting U.S. Delegate, with Councilman Robert White holding a commanding lead with 63.2% of the vote, compared to Councilwoman Brooke Pinto's 21.5%, as of midnight with 65% of the vote counted.
