Janis Lewis-George is expected to become the next mayor of Washington, D.C., after winning the Democratic primary on June 20, 2026. With about 53% of the vote, she clinched the race in the first round and avoided any further runoff. Because Washington is overwhelmingly Democratic, her primary victory is widely seen as decisive for the mayoralty.
Lewis-George, a progressive candidate who has been described by some as “Washington’s Mamdani,” has taken strongly anti-Israel positions. She has accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza and said that if elected she would not attend events meant to “blur the reality of the occupation or promote Zionism and apartheid.” She also received support from the Democratic Socialists of America, an organization closely associated with pro-Palestinian politics and with Zohran Mamdani’s victory in New York.
Her campaign has also stirred concern among some Jews in the area. A local Jewish leader told The Washington Post that her public positions raised questions about how she would treat the Jewish community. Lewis-George has tried to calm those fears by meeting with rabbis and local Jewish leaders. In a public statement, she said, “I will not be a mayor who includes or excludes you based on your views or feelings about issues happening here or around the world. I will always defend your freedom, your safety and your sense of belonging.” She also promised to fight antisemitism and stand with the Jewish community.
Her political director added to the controversy, posting in December 2023 on Instagram that Israel was a “fictional country,” and sharing another post calling Israel “a vicious bitch.” Lewis-George’s campaign has focused on opposing federal interference in Washington and making the city more affordable, positions that could bring her into direct conflict with Donald Trump’s administration.
