D.C. Council Member Janeese Lewis George Leads Mayoral Primary Poll

C. Council member Janeese Lewis George leading the Democratic primary for mayor. She received 39 percent of first-choice votes among Democratic voters, five points ahead of Kenyan McDuffie. The poll is the first citywide public survey of the race. McDuffie placed second in second-choice rankings among voters who did not select either candidate first, which could affect the outcome under the city's new ranked-choice voting system.

Background on Lewis George Lewis George represents Ward 4 on the D.C. Council.

She was elected in 2020 and has opposed federal law enforcement actions in the city, including a juvenile curfew adopted by the council last month. During a mayoral debate Monday night, Lewis George argued that the curfew endangers youth because it is enforced by federal agents. She called instead for expanded youth programming and centers.

George voted against the permanent curfew, citing studies from other cities that found curfews do not reduce youth crime. She has also opposed federal intervention in local policing. Her political director, Makia Green, has described herself as a police abolitionist. , faces trial in September on bribery charges.