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Socialist Washington, DC member Janeese Lewis George is leading her campaign to replace outgoing mayor Muriel Bowser as midnight on the East Coast passes and votes continue to be counted through the night.
The Associated Press reports that as of 12 a.m. ET Wednesday morning, George is leading with 52.6% of the vote after 66% of the ballots have been counted. The next closest candidate, R. McDuffie of Kenya, sitting at 36.8%.
The nation’s capital has been at the center of the Trump administration’s nationwide crackdown on crime in his second term and he deployed the National Guard to the region last year, which supporters directly oppose. a decrease in violent crime statistics.
Trump has suggested he could order another takeover of Washington DC if a “crazy” mayoral candidate is elected.
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Ward 4 Council member Janeese Lewis George joins parents, teachers, and organizers at a rally for SPACEs In Action and Blandi’s Childcare Center to seek funding for the Pay Equity Fund and funding for childcare at the Blandis Childcare Center in Washington, DC, on March 27, 2026. (L) Donald Trump speaks to members of the Oval Office, DC on Monday, in the United States, outside the White House. 13, 2026. (Paul Morigi/Getty Images for SPACEs in Action; Salwan Georges/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
“I’m not going to like it — and maybe we’re going to take back Washington, run it on the basis of unity,” Trump said when asked by reporters how he would respond if the self-proclaimed Democratic socialist DC council member won his bid.
“We will not tolerate it. We will not lose our businesses,” Trump said Thursday while speaking to the media at the White House.
George called Trump’s latest threat to run for a second term “an attack on democracy itself.”
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Ward 4 Councilwoman Janeese Lewis-George speaks during the “Rally for Childcare” event aimed at restoring child care funding at Freedom Plaza in Washington, DC, on May 12, 2025. (SPACEs in Action by Paul Morigi/Getty Images)
George, who has become the Democratic frontrunner, is leading a race that will likely decide the winner of the general election in a city where about 75% of voters are registered Democrats.
Washington, DC uses first-instance voting, which may delay the official recognition of the winner.
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The skyline of Washington, DC, is shown with various buildings under a clear sky. (Saul Loeb/Getty)
Voters in Washington, DC were also voting in the Democratic primary to determine their next non-voting U.S. Representative following the retirement of Democrat Eleanor Holmes Norton.
Just after midnight, the Associated Press called the race for the winner, At-Large Council member Robert White.
Fox News Digital’s Elaine Mallon contributed to this report
