President Barack Obama on Monday endorsed Muriel Bowser, the Democratic nominee for D.C. mayor.  

In a statement released by the Bowser campaign, Obama said, “Muriel knows that every hardworking D.C. resident deserves the opportunity to get ahead. That’s why she has partnered with local small businesses to create jobs and fought to give the children of D.C. a fair shot by investing in our schools.”  

Bowser responded to the endorsement with a statement, saying she was honored by the show of support. “If the residents of the District of Columbia elect me to be their next mayor on November 4th, I will emulate the President by bringing people together to find solutions to our toughest challenges,” she said.  

The councilmember won the Democratic nomination in April, defeating current Mayor Vincent Gray and she is considered the front-runner in the race. In a recent mailing, the Bowser campaign also touted the endorsement of Ward 6 Councilmember Tommy Wells, who was also defeated by Bowser in the Democratic primary.  

She will face two independent candidates, Councilmember David Catania and former Councilmember Carol Schwartz, in November. Schwartz congratulated Bowser on the endorsement in a statement Monday afternoon, noting, “It’s clearly a good endorsement to have.” Schwartz also directed her response at the president, urging him to promote D.C. autonomy. “And now that the President is more involved in District affairs, I would encourage him to use his good offices to actively help us in our ongoing struggle for greater autonomy and full voting rights,” she said.  

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