Democratic socialist wins DC mayor race, ‘willing’ to work with Trump

A Democratic socialist whom President Donald Trump previously called a “communist” cruised to victory in the Washington, D.C. mayoral race Tuesday and signaled she is open to working with the administration.

Janeese Lewis George, a 38-year-old D.C. councilmember, captured nearly 85% of the ranked choice vote in the contest against Green Party candidate Robert Gross and Independent candidate Rhonda Hamilton, according to the latest data from the District of Columbia Board of Elections.

“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,” Lewis George told FOX 5 DC. “And I’m also willing to stand up to this administration when it comes to doing just that.

“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,” she added. “Those are ways that we, as a District government, can improve and make sure that District taxpayers trust us with their dollars.”

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Lewis George will replace the outgoing Democrat mayor, Murial Bowser, who assumed office in 2015 and announced last year that she would not be running for re-election.

“Good morning DC. This is what the other side looks like,” Bowser wrote on X Wednesday morning. “We promised to get here with our Home Rule intact 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.”

Lewis George now joins a group of Democratic socialist mayors including Zohran Mamdani of New York City, Katie Wilson of Seattle, and Mayor-elect David Morales of Providence, Rhode Island.

“Washington DC, thank you for trusting this Daughter of the District to lead us!” Lewis George wrote on a message on X announcing her victory.

Lewis George told The Associated Press earlier this year that she will work to address “the affordability crisis here in D.C., which the Trump administration has only made worse by unjustly firing federal employees en masse and militarizing our streets.”

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Democratic Washington, D.C., mayoral nominee Janeese Lewis George speaks during an election night rally in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 3, 2026. (Reuters)

Following her primary victory in June, Trump vowed on Truth Social that he would not let candidates like Lewis George destroy the city.

“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 at the time.

“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,” Trump continued. “I will meet with Janeese Lewis George, but must forewarn everyone that Washington, D.C., is again a Safe and Prestigious Community.

Democratic Washington, D.C., mayoral nominee Janeese Lewis George votes at Ida B. Wells Middle School on Election Day in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 3, 2026. (Reuters)

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“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!” the president added.

Digital’s Greg Wehner contributed to this post.