Editorial: Our Top 10 Mayoral Attributes
By • December 9, 2025 0 199
Georgetown and D.C. have been abuzz with news these past few weeks, promising epic changes in how our community and the District as a whole will be governed — and viewed by the world — as we prepare to celebrate the 250th anniversary of our historic republic.
Driven by historic elections, 2026 may well be a year of transformation. An initial move came on Nov. 25, two days before Thanksgiving, when D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser announced definitively that she will not run for a fourth term, opening up what is likely to be the District’s most competitive mayoral race to date.
With no clear front-runner, the field of potential candidates, from what we’re seeing already, is expected to cover a wide political (if largely Democratic) and ethnic spectrum, representing a variety of interest groups. The jockeying for position will be exciting to follow.
So why wait?
The Georgetowner has decided that now — in this very early stage of the mayoral race — is the time to lay out what we think are the 10 most desirable attributes of the District’s next mayor.
Ideally, he or she will be …
1. Born and raised in D.C., perhaps with a multigenerational history here;
2. A former student in District schools, whether public, charter or independent;
3. A pragmatist with a record of using public funds with care;
4. A multitasker who can be counted to arrive at and end events on time;
5. Known for honesty, for giving others due credit and for openly admitting when plans don’t work out (and explaining why);
6. A flexible negotiator,willing to meet publicly with all parties to an issue;
7. A firm decision-maker when the time comes, stopping the buck at the mayor’s desk;
8. People-oriented, as reflected in a personally chosen staff of open, patient spokespersons;
9. Comfortably self-confident; and
10. Able and willing to ask tough questions and demand facts and evidence.
That’s our list. How does it compare with yours? Let us know in the comments!
