US progressive Lewis George is on track to become DC mayor after threatening Trump Political Affairs

The Democratic Socialist has vowed to respond aggressively to Trump, who has said he could ‘take back’ DC if he wins.

Washington, DC – Janeese Lewis George, a Democratic Socialist who has promised a tough approach to United States President Donald Trump, is on track to become the next mayor of Washington, DC.

Lewis George already had a commanding lead after Tuesday’s Democratic primary. His main rival, Kenya McDuffie, conceded on Thursday, all but guaranteeing his victory.

Washington, DC, is heavily Democratic, with the winner going to the polls in November. There is no Republican challenger for the position, though independent and third-party candidates could pose challenges.

Lewis George, a council member and former state attorney general, won the support of labor groups when he vowed to establish reasonable boundaries with the Trump administration, including ending ties between local police and Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. His victory would make him the first member of the Democratic Socialists of America, which includes NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, to lead Washington, DC.

His rival, McDuffie, a former council member, gained support among the DC business community and made himself a moderate. Her style echoes that of current Mayor Muriel Bowser, who has carefully walked the line between opposing and cooperating with Trump.

For his part, the US President expressed his desire, and floated that “he can take back Washington and run the government” if Lewis George becomes mayor.

Washington, DC, is a federal state, giving the White House and Congress considerable influence. However, according to the 1973 law, the district has a so-called “house-house”, which allows the people to elect a mayor, council members and neighborhood commissioners to manage day-to-day affairs.

Advocates have been calling for the region, home to more than 700,000 people, to become a state. Both Lewis George and McDuffie support DC statehood.

Since taking office in January last year, Trump has repeatedly threatened to take control of the region.

He briefly joined the city’s police department in August of last year, saying there had been a crime scene, he had mobilized the police in the state, and he had deployed the National Guard as part of a “beautification operation”.

Responding to Trump’s threats ahead of Tuesday’s vote, Lewis George said a strong response was necessary.

“We are not going to take ICE off our streets or protect Home Rule in fear of the president,” he said.

“To threaten DC because you don’t like the way our citizens vote is an attack on democracy itself. The people of DC elect the Mayor of DC. And they want someone who can challenge Trump,” he said.