D.C. Council Member Wins Democratic Primary for Mayor

D.C. Council member Janeese Lewis George won the Democratic primary for mayor on June 16. The candidate defeated former councilman Kenyan McDuffie by a wide margin. Democratic voters outnumber Republicans in the District, making the primary winner the likely mayor-elect in November.

George campaigned on lowering childcare costs and expanding rent-control properties. She has also criticized federal intervention in local law enforcement. The president described the primary winner as a communist and listed several policy positions including emptying prisons, making the city a sanctuary jurisdiction, opposing ICE, welcoming criminal illegal aliens, resisting anti-crime measures, defunding police, and expanding cashless bail.

The president stated he will meet with the council member but warned that the city will remain a safe community and will not be destroyed by those policies.

George told reporters on election night that the president's earlier criticisms motivated voters. She said residents told her that if the president does not like her, they love her. The federal government holds greater authority over the District than over other U.S. cities.