By Chris Kain
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Seven years ago, soon after winning a second term, Mayor Muriel Bowser memorably generated pre-Thanksgiving headlines by questioning whether mumbo sauce deserves its reputation as “quintessential DC.” This year, she’s again making news ahead of the holiday after declaring yesterday afternoon that she won’t seek a fourth term as mayor of her hometown.

“Honestly, I’m kind of shocked that people thought I was going to run for a fourth term,” she said today during a half-hour Q&A with local and national reporters.

“In some ways, a fourth term is kind of gratuitous to me,” she added. “We set out a big agenda. We delivered on it. And the ability to keep winning — it gets harder and harder. That doesn’t mean that I didn’t weigh it seriously because I love my job, I love this city, I know I can do the job. I also know that voters start taking a hard look.”

Bowser said a “long tenure” in the mayor’s office enables continuity among agency leadership as well as the ability to “start and finish” projects and initiatives. She cited sports and housing as two areas of focus, but also said that protecting the District’s home rule and pushing for statehood are essentials.

“I’m proud of what we’ve done. It’s time,” Bowser said of her departure from the mayor’s office in January 2027.

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