DC leaders and residents said they weren’t surprised as Mayor Muriel Bowser announced she won’t seek a fourth term.
WASHINGTON — District leaders and residents said they were largely unsurprised Tuesday after Mayor Muriel Bowser announced she will not run for a fourth term.
“It has been the honor of my life to be your mayor. But today, with a grateful heart, I am announcing that I will not seek a 4th term,” Bowser said in a video posted to social media.
Ward 8 Councilmember Trayon White said he wasn’t shocked by the news. “The mayor has to make the decision that’s best for her and her family and for the city,” he said.
White did not speculate on Bowser’s reasoning but said his priority now is ensuring that residents in Ward 8 have a say in who leads the District next. “It needs to be a people-led agenda in our city,” White said. “For far too long it’s been led by people with influence and money making decisions for our city, but the people, the 600,000+ people, should be able to decide what they want to see happen in our city.”
White added that “it’s been a very terrible time for working-class brown and black people in our city,” and said he wants them to be active in the next election. He also made clear he is not considering a run for mayor when asked. “I’m not interested in running for mayor at the time,” he said
Council Chair Phil Mendelson, who said he is “absolutely planning on running again” for his council seat, pointed to national political tensions as one possible strain on Bowser’s tenure. “There are a lot of stresses, particularly right now with all the divisiveness in national politics,” he said. “I’m aware that as the mayor, she has especially been targeted sometimes by MAGA folks, and it’s just really hard, and I think that’s part of what she was referring to.”
District residents shared a mix of reflections and hopes for new leadership.
“In politics, renewal of energy in life is always a good thing,” one resident said. “I’m sure there are qualms with her performance. I don’t have any particular myself.”
Another praised Bowser’s tenure. “I think she’s done a great job. She’s gonna make it almost 12 years and has done a lot for the Commanders. I think she did a great job working with the administration,” the resident said.
Others welcomed the prospect of change. “It’s a very wise decision,” one said. “I think we need new faces in D.C.”
Residents also voiced what they hope to see in the city’s next leader. One said they want “someone that’s for the people … who has interesting policies.” Another said the “number one characteristic is just have a big heart.”
Bowser is expected to speak publicly about her decision on Wednesday. Her term ends Jan. 2, 2027.