Pivotal primary promises big shift for DC elected officials

D.C. heads into one of its most consequential election years in recent memory, with voters preparing to choose a new mayor, a new delegate to Congress and potentially up to seven new members of the D.C. Council.

Several special elections and the rollout of a new ranked‑choice voting system bring more attention to a busy ballot.

Departures shape ballot

Mayor Muriel Bowser, longtime U.S. House Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton and two sitting councilmembers have announced they will not seek reelection.

Their departures — combined with a special election to fill the seat previously held by Kenyan McDuffie, who is running for mayor, and four additional council seats on the ballot — set the stage for one of the largest turnovers in District leadership in years.

Crowded fields across the ballot

Nine candidates submitted petitions to run for mayor, including one current and two former councilmembers.

Eight candidates are vying to replace Holmes Norton, including two current councilmembers.

Three candidates — including the incumbent and a former councilmember — are competing for chairman of the D.C. Council.

As for the Council, nine candidates are expected to appear on the ballot for the at-large seat being vacated by Anita Bonds.

Five candidates are running in Ward 1 to replace Brianne Nadeau, who is not seeking reelection.

In wards 5 and 6, three candidates are running in each primary, including the incumbents. In Ward 3, the incumbent is unopposed.

The incumbent is also unopposed in the attorney general’s race.

Five candidates — including the incumbent and a former councilmember — are competing in a separate special election for an additional at‑large seat.

New way to vote in DC

For the first time, District voters will use ranked‑choice voting in all races. Instead of selecting just one candidate, voters will rank their choices in order of preference.

The system is designed to ensure that the eventual winner secures at least 50% of the vote.