Robert White Wins DC Delegate Primary, Becoming Washington's Third Delegate Since 1970
Updated
Updated · POLITICO · Jun 17
Robert White Wins DC Delegate Primary, Becoming Washington's Third Delegate Since 1970
3 articles · Updated · POLITICO · Jun 17
Summary
Robert White won the Democratic primary for Washington’s nonvoting House delegate seat, positioning the D.C. Council member to succeed Eleanor Holmes Norton after her long congressional run.
89-year-old Holmes Norton’s declining visibility and 2025 scrutiny over her acuity reshaped the race, capping a career that made D.C. statehood a mainstream Democratic cause and helped deliver federal projects to the district.
White, an at-large council member since 2016, campaigned on affordability, public safety and defending D.C. autonomy, setting up a likely clash with President Donald Trump over his federal crime crackdown in the city.
Last week, White called Trump’s use of federal agents, National Guard deployment and possible federal control of the Metropolitan Police Department “lawlessness,” and said he would revive legislation giving D.C.’s mayor command of the Guard.
The primary also turned bitter in April when rival Brooke Pinto’s campaign posted a 67-page opposition dossier on White that included family and financial details before replacing it and apologizing.