The mayoral race in Washington, D.C. is heating up, with candidates vying for the top spot and a focus on home rule and autonomy. Janeese Lewis George, a democratic socialist and leading candidate, has been critical of outgoing Mayor Muriel Bowser’s approach to working with the Trump administration.

Home Rule and Autonomy

Lewis George has pushed back on the suggestion that her election would give President Trump cover to interfere in the district’s affairs. Her opponent, Kenyan McDuffie, has argued that Lewis George’s agenda would make it easier for Trump to justify federal intervention.

The debate over home rule and autonomy is at the center of the mayoral race, with candidates trying to strike a balance between working with and fighting against the Trump administration. The city’s unique status as a federal district with limited autonomy adds complexity to the issue.

Candidates’ Positions

Lewis George has won the support of groups like Free DC, which formed last year to advocate for DC home rule and statehood. McDuffie, on the other hand, has sought to paint Lewis George as a less experienced candidate with an unrealistic platform.

A recent Washington Post/Schar School poll found that 50% of DC registered voters wanted Bowser to do more to oppose Trump, compared to 34% who said she was handling the city’s relationship with the president just right. The poll also found that 32% of registered Democratic primary voters said they would rank Lewis George first, 25% said their first choice is McDuffie, and another 26% said they were undecided.

Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.