Mayor Muriel Bowser offered a clear show of support for Councilman Kenyan McDuffie on Tuesday but stopped short of endorsing a successor, while warning that Washington, D.C., risks repeating financial mistakes that once pushed the city to the brink of bankruptcy.Speaking at an Axios AM Live event, Bowser praised McDuffie when asked about the 2026 mayoral race while emphasizing she would not endorse any candidate. When asked twice about the more progressive vision offered by McDuffie’s rival, Councilwoman Janeese Lewis George, the mayor pivoted to express concern about the city’s financial future.“I support Kenyan McDuffie,” Bowser said. “I have always supported Kenyan McDuffie. … I’m not endorsing or making any endorsements for mayor, because I’m stepping off the political stage.”
As Bowser delivered the disclaimer, she smiled and cast a sideways glance.
The comments amounted to one of Bowser’s clearest signals yet about who she believes should succeed her after deciding not to seek a fourth term. Prior to McDuffie announcing his mayoral bid, Bowser had said, “If you like me, you’re going to love Kenyan. Wink, wink.” When asked if she still resonated with her words, she simply said she had not said them the way the Axios interviewer recounted.
