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Politics professor says DC Mayor Bowser’s decision to not run for reelection ‘makes sense’

By WTOP Staff

After serving over 10 years as D.C. mayor, Muriel Bowser said Tuesday she would not seek reelection after her current term ends.

Bowser’s term will officially end January 2027.

“We took big swings, keeping D.C. teams in D.C., 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 said when announcing her decision.

Since first taking office in 2015, Bowser led the District through rapid development, a housing crunch, the COVID-19 pandemic, the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol and — more recently — threats to D.C.’s Home Rule protections.

WTOP spoke with Michael K. Fauntroy, a policy and government professor at George Mason University, who wrote a book about D.C.’s Home Rule.

Listen to the interview below, or read the transcript that has been lightly edited for clarity. 

DC primary election results: McDuffie concedes to Lewis George in mayoral contest, Robert White wins in delegate race

By Thomas Robertson
Follow WTOP’s team coverage of the D.C. primary and Election 2026 online, on air at 103.5 FM or on the WTOP News app. See live results as they come in after polls close at 8 p.m. Two days after D.C.'s primary election, Janeese Lewis George is set to become the Democratic nominee in D.C.'s mayoral race after Kenyan McDuffie conceded the race Thursday morning.
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