Mayor of Washington, D.C.
Muriel Bowser has served as Mayor of Washington, D.C. since January 2015, winning re-election in 2018 and 2022. As the chief executive of the District, she oversees the D.C. government, manages a budget of over $19 billion, and sets the policy agenda for the city. Previously, she represented Ward 4 on the D.C. Council.
Signed legislation expanding ghost gun restrictions and red-flag laws; funded the Office of Gun Violence Prevention; supports DC's strict firearms regulatory framework as one of toughest in the nation.
Expanded DC Medicaid eligibility; increased DC Health Alliance enrollment; secured funding for mental health crisis response teams (CORE) as alternative to police; backed reproductive health protections after federal rollbacks.
Secured $100M+ in school modernization funding; expanded universal pre-K to age 3; launched DC Promise neighborhood scholarships; increased per-pupil funding allocation in FY2025 budget. School facility investment is a signature priority.
Signed Clean Energy DC Omnibus Act but received criticism from environmental advocates for delaying building decarbonization deadlines. Committed to carbon-neutral government operations by 2045, but net-zero timeline slower than council progressives sought.
Maintained DC sanctuary city status; created Office of Migrant Services after Texas/Arizona busing crisis; secured emergency funding for migrant shelter and services. Vocal critic of federal border policy that redirected migrants to DC without resources.
Bowser was the primary sponsor of the Secure DC Omnibus Act (B25-0461), expanding stop-and-frisk authority, increasing mandatory minimums, and opposing the Revised Criminal Code Act reform (vetoed RCCA in Jan 2023). Veto stood after override attempt failed.
Signed the RENTAL Act (B25-0006) protecting renters facing eviction; launched 36,000-unit affordable housing production goal under "36 by 26" initiative; backed inclusionary zoning reforms. Opposed rent control expansion beyond existing TOPA framework.
Committed to Metro compact funding and WMATA capital program; expanded dedicated bus lanes citywide; launched 25mph default speed limit; Vision Zero Action Plan targets pedestrian/cyclist fatalities. Signed expanded protected bike lane network.
Led DC's COVID economic recovery: raised minimum wage to $17.50/hr; expanded workforce development programs; launched ReOpen DC and $100M economic recovery fund. FY2025 budget maintained social services despite federal cuts pressure.
Supports LGBTQ+ rights and racial equity executive orders, but criminal justice record (opposing RCCA, supporting MPD expansion) drew sustained criticism from civil rights advocates. DC for Democracy 2024 scorecard rated her mixed overall on civil liberties.