At-large D.C. Council member Robert White Jr. won the Democratic primary on June 16, 2026, for Eleanor Holmes Norton’s congressional seat, marking a potential change in representation for the district. Norton, 88, announced she would not seek another term after serving 18 terms in Congress since 1991. The Democratic nominee is expected to advance to the November general election in a heavily Democratic Washington, where they are favored against Republican and third-party challengers.
The role of D.C.’s delegate allows for the introduction of legislation and participation in committees, but does not include a final vote on the House floor. The primary was conducted under D.C.’s ranked-choice voting system, with White securing the nomination.
White has been an at-large member of the D.C. Council since 2016 and previously worked as legislative counsel in Norton’s office. His campaign emphasized the need for a more assertive advocate for D.C. in Congress amid increasing federal scrutiny. Norton’s retirement ends a significant political era, as she has been a prominent figure in D.C. politics, focusing on issues such as statehood and home rule. White will face Republican Denise Rosado, who is running unopposed for the GOP nomination, and third-party candidate Kymone Freeman in the upcoming general election.