Janeese Lewis George, a self-proclaimed democratic socialist and member of the D.C. Council, has declared her intention to run for the mayoral office in Washington D.C. in 2026.
At 37, Lewis George, a native of Washington, has been serving the 4th Ward of the District since 2021.
In a video announcement released on Monday, as reported by the Daily Caller, Lewis George outlined her campaign's focus on addressing the cost of living and bolstering public services. This platform echoes that of Zohran Mamdani, the mayor-elect of New York City, who also identifies as a democratic socialist.
Lewis George's declaration marks the first candidacy for the mayoral race following the announcement by Democratic Mayor Muriel Bowser, who has held the position since 2015, that she will not be seeking a fourth term.
In her campaign launch video, Lewis George expressed her dissatisfaction with the current political climate, stating, I ran for D.C. Council because I was sick of the status quo, tired of watching politicians make plans that left the rest of us out. She voiced concerns over rising rents and the financial strain on hardworking individuals, while those in power continue to profit.
Lewis George has been a vocal critic of Bowser's management of President Donald Trumps temporary federal control of the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). She accused the D.C. leadership of failing to stand up to the Trump administration. In her campaign announcement, she emphasized the need for leaders who will "fight for the people, stand up to corruption and greed, and stand with the people who make D.C. work."
The democratic socialist has previously challenged her more moderate colleagues, pushing for a shift towards the left by withholding support for certain legislation until amendments aligning with her preferred policies are secured. This was reported by the Washington Post, which also highlighted her vote for the $3.7 billion deal to rebuild RFK stadium, which came only after she negotiated a deal with the Washington Commanders to expand union protections for workers.
In 2024, Lewis George supported a crime bill that increased gun penalties, following her successful opposition to a provision that would have reduced the monetary threshold for theft to be prosecuted as a felony. During her previous reelection campaign, she faced criticism for her perceived leniency on crime. However, in her 2020 campaign for City Council, she clarified her stance on defunding the police, highlighting her experience as D.C. Assistant Attorney General, where she fought to get justice for crime victims.
In a recent interview with the Washington Post, Lewis George stated that her focus would be on evidence-based strategies for crime prevention and swift prosecution of offenders, rather than imposing longer sentences. She also expressed support for hiring additional police officers to reduce overtime and improve facilities to boost morale within the department.
Lewis George's announcement comes in the wake of victories by fellow socialists Zohran Mamdani in New York City and Katie Wilson in Seattle. However, socialist Omar Fateh was unsuccessful in his attempt to unseat Democratic Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey. A representative for Lewis George did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Daily Caller News Foundation.
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