Congratulations to Janeese Lewis George for winning the D.C. Council Ward 4 race with an overwhelming margin – 91% of the votes!
George was a member of AFGE Local 1403 when she worked as a lawyer for the D.C. government’s attorney general office. She had to quit her job in order to run for office.
“This is a people-powered movement and when we work together, we win,” George said. “I ran to give Ward 4 a Councilmember who will put people first. Our community should be a place where everyone can be safe and prosper — and DC Council needs to do more to make that possible.”
“I am humbled to have earned the trust of Ward 4 voters today and I will do everything possible to continue to deserve that trust as their Councilmember every day for the next four years,” she added.
George was endorsed by AFGE and the AFL-CIO DC metropolitan council.
“We are very happy for her and congratulate her on her victory,” said Local 1403 President Benjamin Bryant.
At least three other AFGE members and former members ran in this election even though they didn’t win this time around.
Valbrun Almonord and Ceretta Smith retired from their federal jobs but remain AFGE members. Almonord currently serves as a legislative and political coordinator for AFGE Local 54 at Fort Benning, GA.
“I can't tell you how proud I am of the thousands of Georgians who cast their vote for me in this election. Running for Congress has been the honor of a lifetime! Who would have thought that an immigrant from Haiti, a veteran, and a life-long public servant would one day represent the Democratic Party in Georgia's 3rd Congressional District?” he told supporters on Facebook. “I'm also grateful to the Democratic Party of Georgia, my campaign staff, and the countless volunteers who supported this campaign. To you all, I say thank you! Unfortunately, it was not enough this time, but we must not give up!”
Before her retirement from the Army, Ceretta served as AFGE Local 2017 president and other union positions. She thanked her supporters for rooting for her and working together to move Georgia forward.
“What an incredible journey this has been! Thank you District 23 for all of the love and support you’ve shown us during this campaign. I’m grateful and humbled to have met so many wonderful people. While we didn’t win the State Senate seat, we won so much more. May God bless America and may God Bless Georgia,” she said.
Hillary Scholten was a shop steward for AFGE Local 3525 when she worked at the Justice Department.
"We may not have won tonight, but this isn’t the end of our fight for a better and bright West Michigan for all — including low cost, accessible health care, clean water, and an economy that works for everyone," Scholten said.
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