FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 28, 2026
May 28, 2026
Contact:
Tim Kauffman
202-374-6491
[email protected]
Largest Federal Employee Union Endorses Janeese Lewis George for D.C. Mayor and Robert White for D.C. Delegate to U.S. House
Categories:
Washington, D.C., Congress, Election 2026, House
AFGE says both candidates have a strong commitment to working families
WASHINGTON –– The American Federation of Government Employees today announced its endorsements of Janeese Lewis George for election as the District of Columbia’s next mayor and Robert White for election to the U.S. House representing D.C. in Congress. The primary is on June 16, and the general election is Nov. 3.
Janeese Lewis George
Since being elected to the D.C. Council in November 2020, George has been a strong and consistent advocate for working families, union members, federal employees, transit workers, and public sector employees throughout the District. From defending collective bargaining rights to supporting paid leave protections and workforce investments, Janeese Lewis George has repeatedly stood on the side of working people.
“Councilmember Janeese Lewis George understands the importance of protecting workers and respecting the voices of labor,” AFGE District 14 National Vice President Ottis Johnson Jr. said. “She has consistently shown up for D.C. employees, public workers, and working families across the District. AFGE District 14 is proud to support her candidacy for mayor and looks forward to continuing our partnership in the fight for fairness, dignity, and opportunity for all workers.”
The daughter of a union postal worker and a former AFGE member herself, George has built a reputation as one of the D.C. Council’s strongest labor advocates. She has worked closely with labor organizations and community leaders to expand worker protections, improve workplace conditions, and ensure working residents have a voice in the decisions impacting their lives.
George is running to replace D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, who was first elected in 2014 and is not seeking reelection.
Robert White
Robert White has served on the D.C. Council for the past 10 years, during which time he has demonstrated a strong commitment to working families, public servants, and economic opportunity. As an at-large member of the D.C. Council, he has focused on workforce development, fair wages, and ensuring that government works for the people who power it.
“Robert White has shown a real commitment to supporting D.C. employees and investing in the federal workforce. He understands the value of public service and has consistently worked to create opportunities that uplift our members and the communities we serve,” Johnson said.
White has consistently supported District employees by advocating for fair wages, workplace protections, and career advancement opportunities. He has also championed workforce development initiatives that expand access to well-paying jobs and create pathways for District residents into public service and government-related careers.
White is running to replace Eleanor Holmes Norton, who has served as a delegate to the U.S. House representing the District of Columbia since 1991 and is not seeking reelection.
Nearly 49,000 federal employees live in Washington, D.C., caring for veterans, supporting the military, and getting Social Security recipients their benefits accurately and on time. Another 23,500 employees work for the D.C. government, delivering essential public services to the nearly 700,000 residents who call the nation’s capital home.
AFGE is the largest federal employee union in the country, representing more than 820,000 federal and D.C. government workers in all functions of government. AFGE District 14 represents nearly 70,000 workers in the Washington metropolitan area and Europe.
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