Janeese Lewis George

Janeese Lewis George (born April 30, 1988) is an American lawyer and activist in Washington, D.C. She became the Democratic Party's 2020 nominee to represent Ward 4 on the Council of the District of Columbia after defeating incumbent Brandon Todd.[1] George is a member of the Democratic Party.[2]

Janeese Lewis George
Personal details
Born
Janeese Lewis George

(1988-04-30) April 30, 1988
Washington, D.C., U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
EducationSt. John's University (BA)
Howard University (JD)
Website

If elected in November 2020, George would become the first self-described democratic socialist to serve as a member of the Council since Hilda Mason was defeated for re-election in 1998.[3]

Early life and education

George was born in Washington, D.C., the daughter of a postal worker. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in politics and government from St. John's University.[4] She earned a Juris Doctor from the Howard University School of Law, working as a waitress to pay her tuition.[5][6]

Career

After graduating from law school, George worked as a prosecutor in Philadelphia [7] In 2014, she returned to D.C. to care for her ailing father and served in the office of Attorney General of the District of Columbia, Karl Racine.[8] As a juvenile prosecutor in DC, she used experiences from losing peers to violence during her upbringing to help her colleagues.[7] Before launching her campaign for the Council, George worked in the District of Columbia State Board of Education.[6]

2020 campaign

In 2019, George launched her campaign for the Council of the District of Columbia. George was the subject of attack ads by Democrats for Education Reform, an advocacy group that supports charter schools, over claims that she would defund the police.[9] She was endorsed by a significant number of progressive groups, including Black Lives Matter and the Working Families Party.[10]

George was the first candidate to reach the limit in matching funds through the District's public financing program since it was initiated. The program provides matching funds but limits donations to $50 per supporter, of which she had almost 1,200 by March 2020.[5] On June 2, she defeated incumbent Brandon Todd by a 10.5% margin.

Personal life

George is married to Kyle George, who she met at a high school graduation party.[7]

Electoral history
2020 Council of the District of Columbia, Ward 4, Democratic Primary [2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Janeese Lewis George 7,926 54.2
Democratic Brandon Todd (incumbent) 6,386 43.7
Democratic Marlena Edwards 310 2.1
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References
  1. Epstein, Reid J.; Medina, Jennifer; Corasaniti, Nick (June 3, 2020). "Historic Wins for Women of Color as Nation Protests Systemic Racism". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 7, 2020.
  2. "Live results: 2020 District of Columbia Council primaries". June 3, 2020. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  3. Reid J. Epstein, Jennifer Medina and Nick Corasaniti (June 3, 2020). "Historic Wins for Women of Color as Nation Protests Systemic Racism". New York Times. New York. Retrieved June 4, 2020.CS1 maint: uses authors parameter (link)
  4. "Meet Janeese". Janeese 4 DC. Retrieved June 7, 2020.
  5. Giambrone, Andrew (March 18, 2020). "First Candidate Claims To Max Out Public Financing Funds For D.C. Elections". DCist. Washington DC. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  6. Zauzmer, Julie (May 23, 2020). "In Ward 4 council race, a moderate incumbent faces a progressive challenger". Washington Post. Washington DC. Retrieved May 23, 2020.
  7. Zauzmer, Julie (June 19, 2020). "Janeese Lewis George, the democratic socialist who beat one of the D.C. mayor's allies, says she'll be a pragmatic council member". Washington Post. Washington DC. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
  8. Nirappil, Fenit (August 8, 2019). "D.C. lawmaker Brandon Todd ramps up reelection campaign, draws first challenger". Washington Post. Washington DC. Retrieved August 8, 2019.
  9. Cohen, Rachel (June 4, 2020). "A PROGRESSIVE CHALLENGER WAS ATTACKED FOR CALLING TO DEFUND THE POLICE. SHE WON ANYWAY". Intercept. Washington DC. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
  10. Nirappil, Fenit (June 3, 2020). "Brandon Todd loses his D.C. Council seat, and voters soundly reject Jack Evans". Washington Post. Washington DC. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
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