Longtime D.C. Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie announced Tuesday he’s resigning from his seat. McDuffie has recently said he’s considering running for mayor.
“Serving on the D.C. Council has been the honor of my lifetime,” McDuffie said in a statement Tuesday. The Washington Post was first to report the news of his resignation.
While Tuesday was his final meeting with the council, Jan. 5 will be his last day serving as an at-large member.
McDuffie hasn’t officially said he’s running for mayor, but made clear his work in D.C. isn’t finished.
“The next chapter will allow us to continue to fight and deliver on the tremendous progress we’ve made together with a further focus on greater affordability, economic security and opportunity, safety and real long-term solutions to our greatest challenges,” he said in part. “I look forward to working with D.C. residents, labor, small and local business owners, and all those who stand ready to answer the call, to continue to fight and deliver a brighter, more prosperous future for all the people of Washington, D.C.”
He said in a post on X that he’ll soon announce his next steps.
Three-term Mayor Muriel Bowser announced in November she wouldn’t run again. Bowser told the D.C. Economic Club at a recent event, “If you like me, you’re going to love Kenyan. Wink, wink,” fueling speculation that she might endorse McDuffie to replace her.
McDuffie said he was thinking of running during an interview with WAMU in mid November.
“For me, it’s a similar thought process for every election I’ve ever run in the District of Columbia, where it starts with my family, having a conversation with my wife and my two daughters, my extended family, my political advisors,” he said. “But it also is listening to residents. I have been approached by residents across the District of Columbia, from labor leaders to people in the business community to people in the faith community who’ve been encouraging me to really give serious thought to running for mayor.”
His resignation will trigger a special election for his seat and make room for another councilmember. But it appears his timing could help save D.C. taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars by allowing that special election to happen on the same day as D.C.’s June 16 primary election.
The D.C. Board of Elections confirmed to News4 that a vacancy for an at-large councilmember must happen on or between Dec. 24, 2025 and April 7, 2026 for a special election to be held with the primary.
“Councilmember McDuffie’s decision reflects careful planning and respect for the institution, the District’s taxpayers and his staff; and allows for a smooth transition for 2026,” his office said.
If McDuffie does run, he will likely change his party affiliation from independent to Democrat to have a better chance in the mayoral race.
McDuffie has served on the council for 13 years.
Stay with News4 for updates to this developing story.
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