Janeese Lewis George, a democratic socialist who has faced sharp criticism from President Donald Trump, has been elected the next mayor of Washington, DC.
The 38-year-old DC councilmember won Tuesday’s mayoral election with just over 84 percent of the vote, defeating Green Party candidate Robert Gross and independent candidate Rhonda Hamilton.
Lewis George joins a growing group of democratic socialist mayors that includes Zohran Mamdani of New York City and Katie Wilson of Seattle.
Her victory came as Democrats also captured federal offices across the country during a midterm blue wave on Tuesday.
‘Washington DC, thank you for trusting this Daughter of the District to lead us!’ Lewis George wrote on X after the race was called.
After Lewis George won the Democratic primary in June, Trump used Truth Social to label her a ‘communist’ and accuse her of wanting to pursue ‘Capital destroying “things.”‘
‘Janeese Lewis George, the Communist who is almost certainly going to be elected Mayor of Washington, D.C., has stated that she wants to empty the prisons, make D.C. a Sanctuary City, oppose ICE, welcome Criminal Illegal Aliens back into our beloved Capital, resist Anti-Crime Crackdowns, Defund the Police, continue and expand Cashless Bail, and so many other Capital destroying “things,”‘ the president said.
‘In the end, it will never work out, nor will I let it even have a chance because I have worked too hard to make Washington, D.C., the Envy of the World, with almost No Crime, and a Beautification process that has been second to none,’ he continued.
Democratic socialist Janeese Lewis George, 38, has been elected the next mayor of Washington, DC. She is shown celebrating on election night
Lewis George won the race with just over 84 percent of the vote, joining a new generation of democratic socialist mayors
After Lewis George won the mayoral primary in June, President Trump called her a ‘communist’ who wanted to pursue ‘Capital destroying “things”‘
‘I will meet with Janeese Lewis George, but must forewarn everyone that Washington, D.C., is again a Safe and Prestigious Community.
‘Many people, including myself, have worked long and hard to get it there, and we will not let it be destroyed by a Communist adherent who has no intention to, MAKE WASHINGTON GREAT AGAIN!’ Trump concluded.
Lewis George ran on a platform focused on affordability, limiting ICE activity in Washington, DC, and protecting the district’s independence from federal control.
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According to her campaign website, she pledged to ‘walk the halls of Congress herself, and build relationships on both sides of the aisle, because that is our path to protecting DC autonomy and passing DC Statehood.’
Lewis George will succeed current DC Mayor Muriel Bowser, a Democrat who took office in 2015 and announced last year that she would not seek reelection.
Bowser has sought to balance opposition to Trump with cooperation during his second term. Lewis George has criticized that approach and made confronting the president a central part of her campaign.
Despite those differences, the outgoing mayor and mayor-elect exchanged warm messages after Lewis George’s victory.
‘Good morning DC. This is what the other side looks like,’ Bowser wrote in a statement posted on X.
Lewis George will succeed outgoing DC Mayor Muriel Bowser, who has been in office since 2015 and announced last year that she would not seek reelection
Lewis George campaigned on affordability, limiting ICE activity and preserving DC’s independence from federal control. She is pictured high-fiving a supporter on election day
‘We promised to get here with our Home Rule in tact and electing our next leaders. Congratulations to Mayor-Elect Janeese Lewis George. I’ll run through the tape and support a seamless transition. I love you, DC.’
Responding to the post, Lewis George wrote: ‘Mayor Bowser, Thank you for your service to the city we love. I look forward to working with you and your team on a successful transition!’
In a statement to FOX 5 DC, Lewis George outlined her approach to working with the federal government: ‘The people of D.C. elect the mayor of D.C., and I am willing to work with this administration to the benefit of D.C. residents.
‘And I’m also willing to stand up to this administration when it comes to doing just that.’
She also said an early priority would be reviewing the district’s agencies. ‘One of the things we’re going to do early in my administration is a forensic analysis of every District agency, making sure we’re taking account of savings and spending, and also fraud and abuse and mishandling.
‘Those are ways that we, as a District government, can improve and make sure that District taxpayers trust us with their dollars.’
Our News Outlet has contacted Lewis George’s campaign for additional comment and a response to Trump’s criticism.
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