Councilman Robert White has won the Democratic primary to become Washington, D.C.’s next delegate to the House of Representatives, defeating fellow councilmember Brooke Pinto. With 64% of the votes counted early Wednesday morning, White was declared the winner with 58,269 votes, accounting for 63.2% of the total, while Pinto received 19,792 votes, or 21.5%, according to the Associated Press. White is expected to win the general election in November due to the Democratic lean of the district.
The primary result is seen as a victory for advocates of D.C. statehood, a priority for White, who has pledged to push for this issue at the federal level. He was endorsed by Janeese Lewis George, a candidate for mayor, who supports statehood.
Both candidates emerged as front-runners in the race to replace retiring Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton. They have both expressed intentions to address issues related to the Trump administration's influence on Washington’s autonomy, although they differ in their public safety strategies. White has focused on affordable housing, job opportunities, and education during his tenure on the D.C. Council, while Pinto has emphasized public safety and business support.
The campaign featured contentious moments, including Pinto's release of a 70-page opposition research report on White and accusations regarding Pinto's fundraising sources. The general election is scheduled for November 3, with Republican Denise Rosado and Green Party candidate Kymone Freeman also competing for the position.