With D.C.’s mayoral primary coming in June, one of the leading candidates, Councilmember Janeese Lewis George, outlined her positions on politics, federal involvement in the District, child care and taxes in an interview with News4.
“I also am standing up in this moment because we need leadership that’s going to have more clarity and the courage to fight in this moment against federal intrusion and protect all of D.C.’s neighbors,” she said. “And I’m really excited to be able to do that work in protecting all the D.C. residents.”
Federal involvement and political views
Lewis George said she believes the Bowser administration has not pushed back strongly enough against federal intrusion and emphasized that she would prioritize building and leveraging stronger relationships with Congress.
“I can tell you I’ve gone to Congress and talked to both members of the House and of the Senate, and when I talk to them, they say this is the first time that they’ve heard from D.C. elected officials since they’ve been in elected office in Congress,” Lewis George said.
She also noted her ability to work with Govs. Wes Moore and Abigail Spanberger and mayors across the country, such as Brandon Johnson in Chicago, underscoring the importance of strong regional and national partnerships.
“I think it’s so critical, but I think most importantly, people want in this moment leadership that is going to say, listen, I will work with anyone who’s going to protect D.C. residents, but I also will stand up against Trump and anyone else who is going to bring harm to all of our residents,” Lewis George said.
Even though in original campaigns she used the words “progressive” and “socialist” to describe herself, she now describes herself as “a daughter of the District, true and true.”
“I just say I’m a longtime Democrat and I’m also a member of Metro DSA (Metro DC Democratic Socialists of America), who has helped me organize with our fight for, you know, sporting tenants. They have been on the ground with me, and so I don’t shy away from any of it,” she proudly said.
Lewis George described Metro DC DSA as her political home but stressed her agenda for the District is not radical, pointing to priorities like universal childcare and affordable housing
Universal childcare
Lewis George also discussed expanding the Pre‑K Enhancement and Expansion Program (PKEEP), which offers free childcare for eligible 3- and 4‑year‑olds in D.C. She said she wants to continue increasing funding until the program becomes universal for all residents.
“Remember, in my first year, Pay Equity Fund, I funded a dedicated revenue source that pulled, but we had the funding there,” she said about the Early Childhood Educator Pay Equity Fund, a program designed to ensure early childhood educators are paid on par with D.C. Public Schools teachers with similar education and roles.
“And so the way I am going to prioritize as mayor, making child care affordable, is by expanding our child care subsidy,” Lewis George said.
Taxes
As for the possibility of raising taxes to expand such programs, “Before we talk about raising taxes, I think it’s a moment to look at this city’s budget and figure out where we can find true savings?” Lewis George said. “Where can we close loopholes?”
Lewis George said she doesn’t want to make the “city more unaffordable for its everyday people” but didn’t commit to not raising taxes.
