In her farewell, she notes laying groundwork for growth in economy, housing, transportation, public safety, schools, and major projects like a world-class stadium, housing, and RFK Park upgrades, while not naming a successor.

Having served as mayor since 2015, she says her focus for the final year is to keep delivering for Washington, D.C.

She highlights achievements such as redeveloping the old St. Elizabeth’s Hospital site and advancing the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge project.

Washington, D.C. — led by a long-serving mayor who announced she will not seek reelection, capping a tenure defined by balancing home-rule autonomy with periodic federal interventions in the district.

She emphasized preserving D.C.’s home-rule framework while navigating tensions with federal leaders over budget, laws, and control of local matters.

She cites family reasons and a desire to pass the baton to the next generation of leaders as part of stepping down.

A cornerstone of her legacy is the $3.7 billion deal to build a new Washington Commanders stadium and bring the NFL team back to the city.

Her administration touts expansion of education and housing, stronger local services, budget reserves, declining unemployment, and completion of major infrastructure like the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge.

Her term ends in early 2027, with the 2026 mayoral race shaping up as several council members consider bids; she called the decision a privilege to serve.

As a native Washingtonian, she led through Home Rule tensions and crime concerns while overseeing efforts to keep teams and investments in the city.

Her farewell message refrains from detailing reasons in electoral terms but stresses resilience, home-rule protection, and pride in the city’s trajectory.

The federal government has authorized emergency measures in the capital, including police federalization and National Guard deployment, during a turbulent year that strained relations with residents.