Brian Schwalb bested on Tuesday his two challengers in the Democratic primary for the second-ever elected attorney general in Washington, D.C., clearing the way for him to assume the role after the November general election.
Schwalb’s victory brings a close to a contentious primary season, ending a monthslong fight for the nomination after a bumpy start caused the front-runner to be removed from the ballot in April — throwing the race into uncertainty because the remaining three did not hold the same name recognition. Winning the Democratic nomination all but guarantees Schwalb will assume the role in November because there are no Republicans running for the office.
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Incumbent Karl Racine announced in October 2021 that he would not run for reelection, leaving open a coveted seat that acts as the enforcer of district laws. The former front-runner, Kenyan McDuffie, was deemed ineligible by the Council of the District of Columbia due to years of inactivity as a lawyer, launching a three-way race between Schwalb, Bruce Spiva, and Ryan Jones.
With McDuffie out of the way, Schwalb rose as the apparent heir, earning the endorsement of incumbent Racine and former Washington Attorney General Irvin Nathan, who was appointed to the post in 2011.
As a first-time candidate and Justice Department alumnus, Schwalb sought to distinguish himself with a grassroots campaign of small-dollar donations. He has prioritized addressing the rise in crime through empowering police and addressing disparities that cause violence.
Schwalb vowed to reset the relationship between the mayor’s and the attorney general’s offices while maintaining independence from the city government. The relationship between the two offices has been rocky over the last few years with Racine at the helm, occasionally butting heads with Mayor Muriel Bowser when it comes to addressing crime.
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Schwalb will likely take on the role of attorney general at a crucial time as the city faces increasing rates of violent crime and gun violence in the district. Reducing crime is consistently ranked as a top priority for Washington voters ahead of the midterm elections.
The office will also be tasked with soothing its relationship with the mayor’s office as a growing hostility between the two elected officials has grown more apparent with Racine at the helm over the last few years, occasionally butting heads with Bowser when it comes to addressing crime.
