District of Columbia Governor — Muriel Elizabeth Bowser
Muriel Bowser is the seventh elected Mayor of Washington, D.C., serving since 2015 and the first African American woman to be elected to three consecutive four-year terms as mayor of any American city. Before becoming mayor, she represented Ward 4 on the D.C. Council for eight years and served on the Advisory Neighborhood Commission.
Deliver 36,000 new homes by 2025
Status: completed
Mayor Bowser set this goal at the start of her second term (2019) and the District surpassed it by July 2024, producing 36,216 total housing units. Average rents in DC increased at half the national average (1.5% vs 3.4%) during this period, and the jurisdictions surrounding DC experienced double the rent growth.
Reduce homelessness by 47% from 2016 baseline and end chronic homelessness
Status: in-progress
Homelessness decreased 47% from 2016 (8,350) to 2022 (4,410), the lowest recorded going back to 2005. In 2024, homelessness decreased an additional 9%. However, advocates warn progress is in jeopardy with proposed budget cuts to homeless services in FY2026, and critics argue rapid rehousing program fails to address root causes of homelessness.
Reduce violent crime and improve public safety
Status: in-progress
By 2025, violent crime was down 53% compared to 2023, with homicides down 44%, robberies down 60%, carjackings down 71%, and motor vehicle theft down 37%. However, Bowser received a 76% poor approval rating on crime handling in May 2024 poll, and juvenile crime has remained a persistent problem despite administration efforts.
Invest in education and student success
Status: in-progress
Bowser expanded early childhood learning, invested in feeder schools, and launched career and technical education programs. DC Public Schools enrollment grew to highest since Home Rule. However, residents give the mayor poor approval ratings on education (below 50%), and critics say more progress is needed.
Support DC statehood and fighting for voting rights
Status: ongoing
Bowser has been a leading advocate for DC statehood, testifying before Congress twice to the House and once to the Senate. She has consistently championed statehood as a civil rights and voting rights issue, though statehood legislation has not passed Congress.
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