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Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser announced on Tuesday that she will not pursue a fourth term, concluding a decade-long leadership in the U.S. capital.
The Democratic mayor, who previously served as the representative for the 4th Ward on the D.C. Council, revealed her decision in a video shared on social media.
“My fellow Washingtonians, for the past 10 years, we have worked hand-in-hand on an ambitious plan to restore trust in our government and ensure every D.C. resident receives the fair opportunity they deserve,” Bowser stated. “In pursuit of this promise, we’ve made significant strides, such as keeping our teams in D.C., boosting school enrollment and graduation rates, and investing more in housing than any other city or state, resulting in the creation of 36,000 homes.”
Bowser highlighted her administration’s achievements, including reducing unemployment to record lows, building robust financial reserves, and completing the city’s largest infrastructure initiative, the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge.
“We have also guided our city through the challenges of a global pandemic and united against forces threatening our autonomy, while upholding home rule as our guiding principle,” Bowser remarked. “Looking ahead, I am confident we have laid a solid foundation for future leaders to expand D.C.’s economy, advocate for statehood, and safeguard our investments in affordable housing, transportation, public safety, and education.”
“… When you placed your trust in me 10 years ago, you gave me an extraordinary opportunity to have a positive impact on my hometown. Every day since, I’ve cherished the opportunity and have happily given all my passion and energy to the job that I love. 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 DC.”
The announcement came months after Bowser pushed back on President Donald Trump’s plans to deploy National Guard troops to restore public safety in the capital.
In August, she admitted the success of the federal crime crackdown, noting she appreciated the surge of officers that “enhance what [the Metropolitan Police Department] has been able to do in this city.”
“Having more federal law enforcement officers on the street — [has led to] having more stops that got to illegal guns,” Bowser said during a prior news conference. “We think that there is more accountability in the system, or at least perceived accountability in the system, that is driving down illegal behavior. We know that we have had fewer gun crimes, fewer homicides, and we have experienced an extreme reduction in carjackings.”
However, she noted there was a “break in trust” between the community and police, criticizing the use of masked ICE agents in neighborhoods.
The next DC mayoral election will be held Nov. 3, 2026.
Axios reported last month DC Council members Kenyan McDuffie and Janeese Lewis George have been floating potential mayoral runs.
Fox News Digital’s Alexander Hall contributed to this report.