DC Mayor Muriel Bowser announces she will not run for re-election after three terms

WASHINGTON, DC: Washington, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser has announced that she will not run for a fourth term in office, bringing an end to her decade-long tenure in the nation’s capital on January 2, 2027.

The Democrat shared the news on X with a video on Tuesday, November 25, just over a year before the next mayoral election, scheduled for November 3, 2026.

Muriel Bowser highlights major achievements in farewell message

Muriel Bowser, who previously represented the 4th Ward on the DC Council, highlighted the collective efforts and achievements of her administration over the last ten years in her video message.

Bowser said, "My fellow Washingtonians, for 10 years, you and I have worked together on an ambitious agenda to restore faith in our government and make sure every DC resident gets the fair shot they deserve." She added, "we took big swings, keeping DC teams in DC., raising enrollment and graduation rates in our schools, and investing more money in housing than any other city or state, creating 36,000 homes."

Bowser also discussed achieving the lowest unemployment levels, strengthening the city’s financial reserves, and completing the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge, the largest infrastructure project in Washington, DC.

She also recalled, "We also brought our city back from the ravages of a global pandemic, and summoned our collective strength to stand tall against bullies who threaten our very autonomy, while preserving home rule. That is our North Star."

Muriel Bowser outlines vision for DC’s next chapter

Acknowledging the work still to be done, Bowser expressed confidence in the foundation her administration has built for future leaders.

She shared her hopes for the city's continued progress, stating, "Looking to the future, I know we've laid the groundwork for others to build upon, to reshape and grow DC's economy, establish DC as the 51st state, and protect our investments in affordable housing, transportation, public safety and public schools."

Reflecting on her time in office, she closed with appreciation and a renewed commitment to the remainder of her term, saying, "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."

Muriel Bowser cites crime drop but warns of federal overreach

Bowser's announcement comes after a tense summer in which she publicly clashed with President Donald Trump over the presence of National Guard troops in the nation's capital for public safety.

After initial friction, she later acknowledged the positive impact of a federal crime crackdown.

In August, she said she appreciated the surge of officers that enhanced what the Metropolitan Police Department had been able to do in the city.

She continued describing the effectiveness, saying, "Having more federal law enforcement officers on the street has led to having more stops that got to illegal guns." Bowser said the increased accountability, or "at least perceived accountability in the system," was "driving down illegal behavior," resulting in fewer gun crimes, fewer homicides, and "an extreme reduction in carjackings."

However, Bowser also expressed concern about a "break in trust" between the community and law enforcement, citing masked ICE agents being sent into neighborhoods as an example.

The next mayoral election in Washington, DC, is scheduled for November 3, 2026. According to Axios, D.C. Council members Kenyan McDuffie and Janeese Lewis George are considering potential mayoral bids.