Washington, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser introduced on Tuesday she’s going to not search re-election for a fourth time period, ending her decade-long reign within the nation’s capital.
The Democrat, who beforehand represented the 4th ward as a member of the DC Council, shared the information in a video posted to social media.
“My fellow Washingtonians, for 10 years, you and I’ve labored collectively on an bold agenda to revive religion in our authorities and be certain that each DC resident will get the truthful shot they deserve,” Bowser mentioned. “To maintain that promise, we took massive swings, maintaining DC groups in DC, elevating enrollment and commencement charges in our faculties, and investing extra money in housing than another metropolis or state, creating 36,000 houses.”
She added her administration drove unemployment to its lowest ranges, achieved sturdy reserves and accomplished the most important infrastructure venture in metropolis historical past with the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge.
“We additionally introduced our metropolis again from the ravages of a worldwide pandemic, and summoned our collective energy to face tall in opposition to bullies who threaten our very autonomy, whereas preserving residence rule. That’s our North Star,” Bowser mentioned. “… Trying to the long run, I do know we’ve laid the groundwork for others to construct upon, to reshape and develop DC’s economic system, set up DC because the 51st state, and shield our investments in inexpensive housing, transportation, public security and public faculties.
“… If you positioned your belief in me 10 years in the past, you gave me a unprecedented alternative to have a optimistic influence on my hometown. Day by day since, I’ve cherished the chance and have fortunately given all my ardour and power to the job that I really like. Collectively, you and I’ve constructed a legacy of success, of which I’m intensely proud, and for the following 12 months, let’s run via the tape and preserve profitable for DC.”
The announcement got here months after Bowser pushed again on President Donald Trump’s plans to deploy Nationwide Guard troops to restore public security within the capital.
In August, she admitted the success of the federal crime crackdown, noting she appreciated the surge of officers that “improve what [the Metropolitan Police Department] has been in a position to do on this metropolis.”
“Having extra federal legislation enforcement officers on the road — [has led to] having extra stops that bought to unlawful weapons,” Bowser mentioned throughout a previous information convention. “We predict that there’s extra accountability within the system, or a minimum of perceived accountability within the system, that’s driving down unlawful conduct. We all know that now we have had fewer gun crimes, fewer homicides, and now we have skilled an excessive discount in carjackings.”
Nevertheless, she famous there was a “break in belief” between the neighborhood and police, criticizing using masked ICE brokers in neighborhoods.
The subsequent DC mayoral election can be held Nov. 3, 2026.
Axios reported final month DC Council members Kenyan McDuffie and Janeese Lewis George have been floating potential mayoral runs.
Fox Information Digital’s Alexander Corridor contributed to this report.
