GW Hosts Forum for 2026 D.C. Mayoral Candidates

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For the first time in two decades, the mayoral race in Washington, D.C., will feature an incumbent-less ballot as current three-term mayor Muriel Bowser is not seeking another, marking a significant moment in District politics as newcomers seek the city's highest office with a clean slate.

On Wednesday, less than a month before the June 16 primaries, five candidates took center stage at the George Washington University's Jack Morton Auditorium to paint their vision for D.C.'s future while answering questions and engaging in dialogue about the biggest issues residents of the nation's capital are facing today.

GW hosted the nonpartisan candidates forum in partnership with the Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area and the League of Women Voters of DC.

J.B. and M.C. Shapiro Professor of Media and Public Affairs Steven Roberts moderated the discussion between Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George, real estate developer and executive Gary Goodweather, business entrepreneur Ernest E. Johnson, former Ward 5 Councilmember Vincent Orange and Rini Sampath, director at a federal cybersecurity company.

All five participants Wednesday were Democrats, although an invitation was extended to all declared candidates.

The forum was held just hours after the release of the race's first citywide public poll, in which Lewis George held a slight 39% to 34% lead in the Democratic race over former Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie, who was not present Wednesday.

In introductory remarks, Interim Provost John Lach noted how GW takes seriously its role as a convener in bringing together students, scholars, civic leaders and community members to engage with issues that matter most to D.C. and beyond, and that forums such as Wednesdays serve as a natural extension of that work.

"Here at GW, we promote equity and an active citizenship in a diverse democracy, focusing GW's resources to address community needs through reciprocal partnerships beyond the campus," Lach said. "The countless partnerships we have cultivated across the eight wards of this city are a source of great pride, and we remain committed to working alongside D.C. stakeholders to strengthen our communities."

Lach then introduced Roberts, who introduced the participating candidates. Roberts, who has taught at GW's School of Media and Public Affairs for more than three decades, joked with the candidates that although his classroom was two floors above, he would not be handing out any grades Wednesday evening.

Roberts highlighted the significance of the moment for D.C. politics, noting that the next mayor will inherit a long list of issues that includes public safety, cost and supply of housing, access to education, taxes and the city's autonomy, among others. He said that holding a public event like this at GW allows community members both at the university and throughout the city to "see the passion and energy that every one of these candidates possesses."

And the candidates indeed passionately shared their ideas, defended their positions and highlighted why their life's work has prepared them for this role leading the District in an unprecedented time marked by significant federal oversight and cuts to government agencies, which has forced the city to reimagine its future.

On the topic of education, candidates all expressed enthusiasm for partnerships with D.C.'s universities, with Lewis George saying the city is lucky to have "some of the very best in the entire nation." They all said it is a priority to include young people in the decision-making process while providing access and opportunity for students, in addition to utilizing the resources institutions such as GW can provide to a city.

Candidates also shouted out some of the GW students in attendance whom they have hired to work on their campaigns.

Campaigns this time around have a new unique challenge of navigating ranked-choice voting, as the June 16 primaries will mark its first usage in D.C. elections after voters passed a ballot initiative in 2024.

Under ranked-choice voting, races with three or more candidates will allow voters to rank up to five candidates in order of preference. First-choice votes are counted initially. If no candidate receives a majority, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated and votes are redistributed to voters' next choices. This process continues until one candidate earns a majority and is declared the winner.

Having multiple candidates on stage Wednesday, then, took on an extra level of importance and meaning for voters.

"Your vote is your power, and every vote matters," League of Women's Voters DC Co-President Barbara Zia told the audience.

In closing, Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area President and CEO Andrew Flagel thanked GW and all other partners and sponsors, Roberts and the candidates for actively participating in the democratic process and laying out a vision for voters to ponder before going to the polls next month and in November.

"In this moment of extraordinary political strife, it is an act of heroism to stand up for office and to stand for the things that you care deeply about," Flagel said. "However the election comes out, we have individuals who care deeply about this incredible city we all call home, and we are grateful to each of you."