Democrat socialist candidate had wide lead in bid to become DC's next mayor, after Tuesday balloting

In the District of Columbia's other big primary race, D.C. Council member Robert White won the Democratic nomination for D.C. delegate to Congress

By Joseph Weber

Published: June 17, 2026 7:49am

Democratic socialist Janeese Lewis George has a large lead in her bid to become Washington, D.C.'s next mayor.

After polls closed Tuesday night, she had secured more than 52% of the vote, compared to Keynan McDuffy with nearly 37% in the city's Democratic primary, according to local news outlet WTOP.com. However, no official winner has been declared as of Wednesday morning. Both candidates are D.C. Council members.

The primary winner is expected to be elected mayor in the General Election in November, considering the city's large number of registered Democratic voters. Democrat Mayor Muriel Bowser is not seeking reelection.

In the District of Columbia's other big primary race, D.C. Council member Robert White won the Democratic nomination for D.C. delegate to Congress, according to results released by the District’s Board of Elections.

He is expected to replace Democrat Eleanor Holmes Norton as the city's congressional delegate, who can cast House votes on legislation in committee but not final ones on the chamber floor.