As the votes are tallied, Janeese Lewis George takes the lead in the Washington, D.C. mayoral race to replace Muriel Bowser. Early reports show George leading with 52.6% of the vote after 66% of votes were counted. Her closest rival, Kenyan R. McDuffie, holds 36.8%.
Washington, D.C. has been pivotal in Trump’s crime policies during his second term. He deployed the National Guard to the district last year, which proponents argue correlated with lower violent crime rates. Trump hinted at another federal intervention if George, described by him as a “crazy socialist,” were elected.
“I wouldn’t like it — and maybe we take back Washington, run it on the federal basis,” Trump stated.
Janeese Lewis George, associated with the Democratic Party, has criticized Trump’s comments as an “attack on democracy.” She leads a crucial race likely to determine the general election outcome. In D.C., approximately 75% of voters are registered Democrats.
For the first time, ranked-choice voting is used in this election, possibly delaying the winner declaration.
Alongside the mayoral race, voters are participating in the Democratic primary to select their next non-voting U.S. Delegate. Robert White emerged victorious following the retirement of Eleanor Holmes Norton.
The result announcements will continue as the vote count proceeds.