Incumbent
Who will win the 2026 DC Democratic Mayoral Primary?
$53.3K
JUN 17, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleCouncil Member
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyDemocratic Socialist
Age38 years old (Apr 30, 1988)
GenderFemale
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LocationDistrict of Columbia
BackgroundLawyer
EducationSt. John's University (B.A.)
Notable personal detailsJaneese Lewis George is an American lawyer, activist, and politician who serves as the Ward 4 member of the Council of the District of Columbia (took office in 2021 after being elected in 2020). A third-generation Washingtonian and Ward 4 native, she is a DC Public Schools alum. She earned a B.A. from St. John's University and a J.D. from Howard University School of Law, and previously worked as a prosecutor and in District government before joining the D.C. Council.
SourcesShowHide
Positions
Economy & Taxes
Supports raising taxes on high-income D.C. residents and using that revenue to fund expanded social programs including childcare subsidies, housing vouchers, and local tax credits for low-income families. Backs policies that increase tax relief for lower-income residents (expanded EITC, local child tax credit) while pursuing progressive revenue-raising measures. Advocates reallocating city tax policy to fund social services and worker pay increases.
Healthcare
Supports Medicare for All and expanded public healthcare access, advocates increased investments in behavioral health, maternal and infant health, and protections to expand coverage for immigrants and vulnerable patients.
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Immigration & Border
Supports upholding D.C.’s sanctuary protections and opposes local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement; frames defending immigrant workers and sanctuary law as a policy priority. Focus is on limiting local police cooperation with ICE rather than advocating for expanded federal enforcement measures.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Supports abortion access and reproductive justice and has publicly spoken in defense of the right to abortion; advocates strengthening sexual and reproductive health services as part of her policy priorities.
Climate & Energy
Supports Green New Deal–style legislation and aggressive local climate actions including net-zero building standards, rapid lead-pipe removal, major investment in renewable energy and green jobs, and policies to protect residents from extreme-heat risks tied to climate change.
Public Safety & Guns
The candidate emphasizes reducing gun violence through a combination of targeted enforcement (including urging federal action on ghost guns and trafficking), community violence-prevention programs, and coordination with MPD and other agencies. She supports investments in intervention programs, jobs and services to address root causes of gun violence while working with law enforcement on patrol strategy and investigations.
News
Janeese Lewis George is drawing attention in the Washington, D.C. Democratic mayoral primary, where a new poll puts her ahead of Kenyan McDuffie, 39% to 34%. The race is still fluid, though, because ranked-choice voting could help McDuffie through second-choice support and many voters remain undecided. She has also been part of recent debate over juvenile crime policy and campaign finance complaints tied to the mayoral race.
Is Lewis George leading, or McDuffie?
Poll: Lewis George leads DC Mayoral race, but ranked-choice voting could help McDuffie
Jeanine Pirro vows to crack down on DC juvenile crime without local help
DC mayoral candidates to debate after another weekend with 'teen takeovers'
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Polls
- Endorsements
- Fundraising