A new DC Mayor will be elected in November 2014. In April, Muriel E. Bowser won the primary election, defeating the incumbent Vincent Gray by about 12 percent in a race defined by a scandal involving Gray's campaign four years ago. Since the electorate of DC is more than 80 percent Democratic, in the past the mayor has been determined in the primary election. However, this year there will be additional candidates challenging the Democratic nominee in the General Election.
(See details on the candidates below) Mark your calendar for November 4, 2014 and be sure to vote.
Important Dates and Deadlines
- Registration and Party Affiliation Changes Deadline - October 6, 2014
- Early Voting - Dates to Be Announced
- Absentee Ballots - Ballot must be postmarked on or before November 4, 2014.
- Election Day – November 4, 2014
Need to register or update your registration? See details about registering to vote in the District of Columbia.
The Mayor serves a four-year term and can be re-elected without term limits. As the head of the executive branch of the city government, the Mayor of the District of Columbia is responsible for enforcing city laws (approving or vetoing bills passed by the Council of the District of Columbia) and overseeing all city services, public property, police and fire protection, most public agencies, and the public school system. The Mayor appoints several officers, including the Deputy Mayors for Education and Planning & Economic Development, the City Administrator, the chancellor of the city's public schools, and the department heads of city agencies.
To learn more about the local government, see DC Government 101 - Things to Know About DC Officials, Laws, Agencies and More.
Candidates for DC Mayor
Muriel E. Bowser,age 41 - DC Council member (Ward 4), Riggs Park. Bowser, Bowser began her service in DC elective office as an Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner for her Riggs Park neighborhood, and was elected Ward 4 Councilmember in a special election in 2007, re-elected in 2008, and again in 2012.
David Catania, age 46 - At-Large Council member, Dupont Circle. Canatia is an openly gay politician and lawyer. For eight years, Catania led DC’s health care agenda as Chairman of the Council’s Committee on Health. In 2009, he became the architect and driving force behind the fight to secure Marriage Equality for all District residents, including gays and lesbians. He also authored legislation to create income tax parity with surrounding jurisdictions, minimize property tax burdens, promote home ownership, and increase police deployment. Catania is running as an Independent.
Carol Schwartz - age 70 - Board of the Hattie M. Strong Foundation and on the Community and Friends Board of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Schwartz has served on the DC City Council four times between 1984 and 2009. She has also run for mayor several times. She began her career teaching special education and has championed for the disadvantaged volunteering her services on many community projects. Schwartz is running as an independent.
Ben Foshager,age 29 - Ivy City. Foshager has a background in sociology and has worked or volunteered in numerous capacities throughout his life, from leadership positions in college to stints in the non-profit sector to labor in the restaurant industry and more. He is running with an emphasis on a "strong society."
Other Officials to Be Elected in 2014
- Delegate to the United States House of Representatives
- Chairman of the Council of the District of Columbia
- At-Large Member of the Council of the District of Columbia
- Ward Member of the District of Columbia Council (Wards 1, 3, 5 & 6)
- Attorney General for the District of Columbia
- United States Senator (“Shadow Senator”)
- United States Representative (“Shadow Representative”)
- District of Columbia Democratic State Committee Offices
Read more about DC Elected Officials
Don't miss your chance to exercise your voting rights! Voters will decide the future of marijuana in the District of Columbia on the November 4, 2014 election ballot. Read about Marijuana Legalization, Initiative 71.