After more than a decade steering Washington, D.C. through political showdowns, nationwide protests, a pandemic, and historic economic shifts, Mayor Muriel Bowser says her third term will be her last.
In an in-depth interview with News4 — conducted in the living room of her D.C. home — Bowser explained why she won’t seek a fourth term, despite insisting she could win one.
“I’ve Never Lost an Election” — But That’s Not the Point, Bowser Says
Bowser, 52, said plainly that she’s not bowing out because of political vulnerability.
“I’ve never lost an election,” she said with a smile, adding that she remains confident she could secure another term if she wanted it.
But after serving as mayor since 2015 — and on the D.C. Council, and even earlier as an Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner — Bowser said the calculation is personal, not political.
“It was time for me to pass the baton onto the next set of leaders who are going to take our city to the next level,” she said. “Now is the time to do something else while I still have a lot of energy, vigor and great ideas.”
A Leader Who Grew Up With the City She Led
Bowser’s tenure spans some of the most consequential years for the District in modern history. From managing explosive population growth and housing pressures to pushing for D.C. statehood, she has been a defining figure in the capital’s identity as a fast-changing city still fighting for full representation.
She also became a national symbol of local defiance during Donald Trump’s presidency — most memorably when she commissioned “Black Lives Matter Plaza” during the 2020 protests.
Her decision not to run again makes her only the second mayor after Marion Barry to serve three consecutive terms.
A Family Decision — and a Bet on the Future
Bowser told News4 that her choice comes down to family, reflection, and a sense of timing.
She said she wants the flexibility to explore “something else” — though she didn’t hint at what that might be — and to hand over city leadership while she still feels she’s operating at full strength.
“Any time that I have gone out to the voters, I want to make sure that I have the best ideas and a vision,” she said. “I think I’ve learned how to be really good at my job… but I know that there are a lot of people with ideas that can move [the city forward].”
What Bowser Leaves Behind
Bowser’s departure sets the stage for one of the most competitive mayoral races in a generation — with a field likely to include longtime council veterans, rising progressive voices, and candidates focused on public safety, affordability, and post-pandemic recovery.
Her exit also raises questions about the future of her major priorities, including major infrastructure projects, affordable housing targets, and the city’s fiscal stabilization plans as federal office attendance continues to lag.
But for Bowser, the interview made clear that her story with Washington isn’t over — just her chapter as mayor.
“I have been so grateful to D.C. residents for giving me an opportunity to be their mayor for over 10 years,” she said. “My heart is just so filled with gratitude.”
