Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser announced Tuesday that she will not run for a fourth term, bringing her decade-long tenure leading the nation’s capital to a close at the end of 2026. Bowser, a Democrat and former D.C. Council member representing Ward 4, shared her decision in a video posted to social media.
“My fellow Washingtonians, for 10 years, you and I have worked together on an ambitious agenda to restore faith in our government and ensure that every D.C. resident gets the fair shot they deserve,” Bowser said. She highlighted key initiatives from her administration, including efforts to “keep D.C. teams in D.C.,” increase school enrollment and graduation rates, and invest significantly in housing. According to Bowser, the city built 36,000 homes during her tenure, more than any other city or state.
Bowser also pointed to what she described as economic gains and major infrastructure achievements under her leadership. She credited her administration with driving unemployment to its lowest levels, building strong financial reserves, and completing the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge, which she noted was the largest infrastructure project in city history.
“We also brought our city back from the ravages of a global pandemic, and summoned our collective strength to stand tall against bullies who threaten our very autonomy, while preserving home rule,” she said. Looking ahead, Bowser said she believes her administration has laid the foundation for future leaders to “reshape and grow D.C.’s economy, establish D.C. as the 51st state, and protect our investments in affordable housing, transportation, public safety and public schools.”
Reflecting on her three terms, Bowser said she cherished the opportunity to serve her hometown. “Together, you and I have built a legacy of success, of which I’m intensely proud, and for the next 12 months, let’s run through the tape and keep winning for D.C.”
A Shifting Relationship With the Federal Government
Bowser’s announcement follows months of public tension with President Donald Trump over federal intervention in the city’s public safety strategy. Earlier this year, she opposed Trump’s plan to deploy National Guard troops in Washington.
Despite the clash, Bowser later acknowledged the results of the crime crackdown, saying she appreciated the influx of federal officers assisting local police. “Having more federal law enforcement officers on the street — [has led to] having more stops that got to illegal guns,” she said at a previous press conference. She noted reductions in gun crimes, homicides and a sharp drop in carjackings, attributing the trend in part to “perceived accountability in the system.”
Still, Bowser expressed concerns about tactics used during the operation, specifically pointing to a “break in trust” between residents and authorities and criticizing the presence of masked ICE agents.
Looking Ahead to 2026
The next D.C. mayoral election is scheduled for Nov. 3, 2026. According to Axios, D.C. Council members Kenyan McDuffie and Janeese Lewis George have recently been floated as potential candidates.
Bowser, who appeared in her announcement alongside construction workers and other scenes of city life, closed her message by urging residents to stay focused on the work ahead during her final year in office.
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Seijah Drake was born in Boston, MA, where she developed a penchant for writing early on and a passion for politics in college. After college she worked briefly for a conservative media in New York before relocating to the Greater D.C. Area to pursue a career in political marketing. She now resides in the free state of Florida.
