2026 races Open seat

Mayor

Janeese Lewis George wins Democratic primary — 52.79% first-round vote (June 16, preliminary; DCBOE certifies July 15). First open mayoral race in DC since 2014.

Candidates

8 declared candidates

Listed alphabetically. Tap a candidate to see their full profile, links to OCF / DCBOE filings, and stated positions on the site's six issue pages.

Ernest JohnsonD
declared · Didn't advance
View profile 4/6 positions · 3 press items
Gary GoodweatherD
declared · Didn't advance
First-time DC candidate; real-estate developer and Army veteran.
View profile 6/6 positions · 7 press items
Hope SolomonD
declared · Didn't advance
First-time candidate; laid-off federal contractor.
View profile 2/6 positions · 4 press items
Janeese Lewis GeorgeD
declaredWon primary
View profile 6/6 positions · 23 press items
Kathy HendersonD
declared · Didn't advance
Ballot-access status disputed in May 2026 press; verify with DCBOE primary candidate list before relying on this entry.
View profile
Kenyan McDuffieD
declared · Didn't advance
Resigned At-Large Council seat to run.
View profile 6/6 positions · 18 press items
Rini SampathD
declared · Didn't advance
First-time DC candidate; government contractor.
View profile 6/6 positions · 9 press items
Vincent OrangeD
declared · Didn't advance
Former DC Councilmember and former DC Chamber of Commerce president. Third mayoral run.
View profile 6/6 positions · 8 press items

Positions

Issue-by-issue comparison

One candidate per row, six issue columns mirroring the site's issue pages. Cells without a stated position read “No position stated” — we don't infer.

DErnest Johnson
4/6 stated
- Statehood & Federal PressureDC autonomy, Home Rule, response to federal overrides
  No position stated
- Public Safety & JusticeSecure DC, civilian review, federalized MPD response
  Community-based policing in every ward, body cameras for all officers, gun buybacks, violence interruption; targets 25% violent-crime reduction by 2029.[src]
- Housing & EvictionsRent freeze ballot, TOPA reform, construction targets
  No position stated
- Budget, Taxes & Federal WorkforceFY27 shortfall, federal workforce loss, tax decisions
  Grow revenue without raising taxes on working families: tax currently exempt high-value properties and toll major commuter routes into DC.[src]
- TransportationCamera enforcement, WMATA funding, traffic deaths
  Install speed cameras in school and senior zones, build dedicated bike lanes with enforcement, and crack down on reckless bike and moped riding.[src]
- SchoolsDCPS vs. charters, OSSE oversight, federal K-12 funding
  Refocus early grades on phonics-based reading and arithmetic, end social promotion, add mandatory STEM and vocational tracks; 95% third-grade reading proficiency goal.[src]
DGary Goodweather
6/6 stated
- Statehood & Federal PressureDC autonomy, Home Rule, response to federal overrides
  Pursue statehood through every available pathway and advance 'Super Home Rule' reforms to protect DC from congressional interference.[src]
- Public Safety & JusticeSecure DC, civilian review, federalized MPD response
  Fully staff MPD, fix the 911 system, deploy community policing, and expand youth mentorship programs.[src]
- Housing & EvictionsRent freeze ballot, TOPA reform, construction targets
  Build 50,000 homes by 2032 with 36,000 affordable; guarantee 20-day by-right permit approval; replace TOPA with cooperative-conversion and tenant-ownership programs.[src]
- Budget, Taxes & Federal WorkforceFY27 shortfall, federal workforce loss, tax decisions
  Pledges line-by-line agency budget reviews and permitting reform; says a balanced budget denies the federal government an excuse to intervene.[src]
- TransportationCamera enforcement, WMATA funding, traffic deaths
  Eliminate Metro fares for DC residents ('Fare Free DC'), paired with investments in service reliability, frequency, and extended hours.[src]
- SchoolsDCPS vs. charters, OSSE oversight, federal K-12 funding
  Every child reading by third grade, universal dyslexia screening, chronic absenteeism below 25%, and an Advanced Technical Center in every ward.[src]
DHope Solomon
2/6 stated
- Statehood & Federal PressureDC autonomy, Home Rule, response to federal overrides
  No position stated
- Public Safety & JusticeSecure DC, civilian review, federalized MPD response
  Fully staff MPD, focus on officer retention and pay, and make police part of the community through community policing.[src]
- Housing & EvictionsRent freeze ballot, TOPA reform, construction targets
  No position stated
- Budget, Taxes & Federal WorkforceFY27 shortfall, federal workforce loss, tax decisions
  No position stated
- TransportationCamera enforcement, WMATA funding, traffic deaths
  No position stated
- SchoolsDCPS vs. charters, OSSE oversight, federal K-12 funding
  Criticizes the school lottery, saying too many kids are 'rolling the dice' because a guaranteed good public school still isn't guaranteed.[src]
DJaneese Lewis George
6/6 stated
- Statehood & Federal PressureDC autonomy, Home Rule, response to federal overrides
  Personally lobby Congress for statehood, work with DC's delegate and attorney general to protect Home Rule, and rescind MPD's ICE-cooperation order.[src]
- Public Safety & JusticeSecure DC, civilian review, federalized MPD response
  Prevention, intervention, and enforcement strategy; open Community Hubs in all eight wards connecting residents to jobs, services, and mental-health support.[src]
- Housing & EvictionsRent freeze ballot, TOPA reform, construction targets
  Strengthen rent stabilization, build publicly owned mixed-income housing (Dignified Homes DC), restore TOPA tenant-purchase rights, reform zoning to add supply.[src]
- Budget, Taxes & Federal WorkforceFY27 shortfall, federal workforce loss, tax decisions
  Says her proposals can be funded without raising taxes on working people, by cutting budget waste and closing tax loopholes.[src]
- TransportationCamera enforcement, WMATA funding, traffic deaths
  Secure dedicated long-term regional WMATA funding, add bus lanes, free buses for SNAP enrollees, fully fund the STEER Act, release congestion-pricing study.[src]
- SchoolsDCPS vs. charters, OSSE oversight, federal K-12 funding
  Unify truancy referrals under one agency, expand after-school programs in all eight wards, and grow school staffing including mental-health professionals.[src]
DKathy Henderson
0/6 stated
- Statehood & Federal PressureDC autonomy, Home Rule, response to federal overrides
  No position stated
- Public Safety & JusticeSecure DC, civilian review, federalized MPD response
  No position stated
- Housing & EvictionsRent freeze ballot, TOPA reform, construction targets
  No position stated
- Budget, Taxes & Federal WorkforceFY27 shortfall, federal workforce loss, tax decisions
  No position stated
- TransportationCamera enforcement, WMATA funding, traffic deaths
  No position stated
- SchoolsDCPS vs. charters, OSSE oversight, federal K-12 funding
  No position stated
DKenyan McDuffie
6/6 stated
- Statehood & Federal PressureDC autonomy, Home Rule, response to federal overrides
  Day-one executive directive ending MPD cooperation with federal immigration enforcement; defend DC autonomy against federal overreach.[src]
- Public Safety & JusticeSecure DC, civilian review, federalized MPD response
  Treat violence as a public-health crisis, fully implement the NEAR Act, recruit officers to cut overtime, and oppose any federal takeover of MPD.[src]
- Housing & EvictionsRent freeze ballot, TOPA reform, construction targets
  Expand down-payment assistance for first-time buyers; create a Stay in DC fund to prevent small-business displacement.[src]
- Budget, Taxes & Federal WorkforceFY27 shortfall, federal workforce loss, tax decisions
  Close the shortfall by cutting MPD overtime spending, ending underperforming programs, and reallocating funds from underspending agencies.[src]
- TransportationCamera enforcement, WMATA funding, traffic deaths
  Fully fund Metro; direct RFK-area transit money to upgrading the existing station and building Bus Rapid Transit on the H Street corridor.[src]
- SchoolsDCPS vs. charters, OSSE oversight, federal K-12 funding
  End school overcrowding, fund attendance counselors in every school, and hold OSSE, DCPS, and charter LEAs accountable on special-education compliance.[src]
DRini Sampath
6/6 stated
- Statehood & Federal PressureDC autonomy, Home Rule, response to federal overrides
  Make statehood a national Democratic Party priority, push for full voting representation, and defend DC autonomy through litigation if needed.[src]
- Public Safety & JusticeSecure DC, civilian review, federalized MPD response
  Stabilize MPD staffing, reduce overtime dependency, and order a full operational review of the public-safety ecosystem alongside prevention and youth programs.[src]
- Housing & EvictionsRent freeze ballot, TOPA reform, construction targets
  Cut the 13-month affordable-unit vacancy lag, build over 36,000 units with affordability targets, ban rental junk fees, preserve rental assistance.[src]
- Budget, Taxes & Federal WorkforceFY27 shortfall, federal workforce loss, tax decisions
  Defend DC's local tax decisions against congressional disapproval; eliminate duplicative fees and require sunset reviews so new fees expire unless reauthorized.[src]
- TransportationCamera enforcement, WMATA funding, traffic deaths
  Reduce traffic deaths by prioritizing dangerous corridors, enforce bus lanes and transit-signal priority as standard operations, publish performance dashboards.[src]
- SchoolsDCPS vs. charters, OSSE oversight, federal K-12 funding
  Fix school buildings and staffing, cut chronic absenteeism now at 40% of students, expand afterschool programming and early-literacy initiatives.[src]
DVincent Orange
6/6 stated
- Statehood & Federal PressureDC autonomy, Home Rule, response to federal overrides
  Orange Plan names preservation of Home Rule and DC statehood as a core plank.[src]
- Public Safety & JusticeSecure DC, civilian review, federalized MPD response
  Public safety is the foundation of the Orange Plan; supports curfews for minors and stronger enforcement.[src]
- Housing & EvictionsRent freeze ballot, TOPA reform, construction targets
  Expand attainable homeownership and rentals; supports workforce housing and tiny homes for residents earning $50,000 or less, aligned with transit and jobs.[src]
- Budget, Taxes & Federal WorkforceFY27 shortfall, federal workforce loss, tax decisions
  Grow city revenue by stimulating economic activity rather than raising taxes.[src]
- TransportationCamera enforcement, WMATA funding, traffic deaths
  Criticizes DDOT street redesigns and questions the effectiveness of some bike lanes and traffic-calming measures.[src]
- SchoolsDCPS vs. charters, OSSE oversight, federal K-12 funding
  Kindergarten-readiness assessments, math and reading mastery by 4th grade, and four guaranteed graduate paths including tuition-free UDC and apprenticeships.[src]

Candidate	Statehood & Federal Pressure DC autonomy, Home Rule, response to federal overrides	Public Safety & Justice Secure DC, civilian review, federalized MPD response	Housing & Evictions Rent freeze ballot, TOPA reform, construction targets	Budget, Taxes & Federal Workforce FY27 shortfall, federal workforce loss, tax decisions	Transportation Camera enforcement, WMATA funding, traffic deaths	Schools DCPS vs. charters, OSSE oversight, federal K-12 funding
DErnest Johnson	No position stated	Community-based policing in every ward, body cameras for all officers, gun buybacks, violence interruption; targets 25% violent-crime reduction by 2029.[src]	No position stated	Grow revenue without raising taxes on working families: tax currently exempt high-value properties and toll major commuter routes into DC.[src]	Install speed cameras in school and senior zones, build dedicated bike lanes with enforcement, and crack down on reckless bike and moped riding.[src]	Refocus early grades on phonics-based reading and arithmetic, end social promotion, add mandatory STEM and vocational tracks; 95% third-grade reading proficiency goal.[src]
DGary Goodweather	Pursue statehood through every available pathway and advance 'Super Home Rule' reforms to protect DC from congressional interference.[src]	Fully staff MPD, fix the 911 system, deploy community policing, and expand youth mentorship programs.[src]	Build 50,000 homes by 2032 with 36,000 affordable; guarantee 20-day by-right permit approval; replace TOPA with cooperative-conversion and tenant-ownership programs.[src]	Pledges line-by-line agency budget reviews and permitting reform; says a balanced budget denies the federal government an excuse to intervene.[src]	Eliminate Metro fares for DC residents ('Fare Free DC'), paired with investments in service reliability, frequency, and extended hours.[src]	Every child reading by third grade, universal dyslexia screening, chronic absenteeism below 25%, and an Advanced Technical Center in every ward.[src]
DHope Solomon	No position stated	Fully staff MPD, focus on officer retention and pay, and make police part of the community through community policing.[src]	No position stated	No position stated	No position stated	Criticizes the school lottery, saying too many kids are 'rolling the dice' because a guaranteed good public school still isn't guaranteed.[src]
DJaneese Lewis George	Personally lobby Congress for statehood, work with DC's delegate and attorney general to protect Home Rule, and rescind MPD's ICE-cooperation order.[src]	Prevention, intervention, and enforcement strategy; open Community Hubs in all eight wards connecting residents to jobs, services, and mental-health support.[src]	Strengthen rent stabilization, build publicly owned mixed-income housing (Dignified Homes DC), restore TOPA tenant-purchase rights, reform zoning to add supply.[src]	Says her proposals can be funded without raising taxes on working people, by cutting budget waste and closing tax loopholes.[src]	Secure dedicated long-term regional WMATA funding, add bus lanes, free buses for SNAP enrollees, fully fund the STEER Act, release congestion-pricing study.[src]	Unify truancy referrals under one agency, expand after-school programs in all eight wards, and grow school staffing including mental-health professionals.[src]
DKathy Henderson	No position stated	No position stated	No position stated	No position stated	No position stated	No position stated
DKenyan McDuffie	Day-one executive directive ending MPD cooperation with federal immigration enforcement; defend DC autonomy against federal overreach.[src]	Treat violence as a public-health crisis, fully implement the NEAR Act, recruit officers to cut overtime, and oppose any federal takeover of MPD.[src]	Expand down-payment assistance for first-time buyers; create a Stay in DC fund to prevent small-business displacement.[src]	Close the shortfall by cutting MPD overtime spending, ending underperforming programs, and reallocating funds from underspending agencies.[src]	Fully fund Metro; direct RFK-area transit money to upgrading the existing station and building Bus Rapid Transit on the H Street corridor.[src]	End school overcrowding, fund attendance counselors in every school, and hold OSSE, DCPS, and charter LEAs accountable on special-education compliance.[src]
DRini Sampath	Make statehood a national Democratic Party priority, push for full voting representation, and defend DC autonomy through litigation if needed.[src]	Stabilize MPD staffing, reduce overtime dependency, and order a full operational review of the public-safety ecosystem alongside prevention and youth programs.[src]	Cut the 13-month affordable-unit vacancy lag, build over 36,000 units with affordability targets, ban rental junk fees, preserve rental assistance.[src]	Defend DC's local tax decisions against congressional disapproval; eliminate duplicative fees and require sunset reviews so new fees expire unless reauthorized.[src]	Reduce traffic deaths by prioritizing dangerous corridors, enforce bus lanes and transit-signal priority as standard operations, publish performance dashboards.[src]	Fix school buildings and staffing, cut chronic absenteeism now at 40% of students, expand afterschool programming and early-literacy initiatives.[src]
DVincent Orange	Orange Plan names preservation of Home Rule and DC statehood as a core plank.[src]	Public safety is the foundation of the Orange Plan; supports curfews for minors and stronger enforcement.[src]	Expand attainable homeownership and rentals; supports workforce housing and tiny homes for residents earning $50,000 or less, aligned with transit and jobs.[src]	Grow city revenue by stimulating economic activity rather than raising taxes.[src]	Criticizes DDOT street redesigns and questions the effectiveness of some bike lanes and traffic-calming measures.[src]	Kindergarten-readiness assessments, math and reading mastery by 4th grade, and four guaranteed graduate paths including tuition-free UDC and apprenticeships.[src]

Other tools

Mayor

8 declared candidates

Issue-by-issue comparison

External voter guides for this race