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List of mayors of Washington, D.C. facts for kids

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This page lists the leaders of Washington, D.C. over time. These leaders have had different titles, like commissioners, governors, and mayors.

How D.C. Was Governed

The area that became Washington, D.C., was first chosen in 1790. At that time, the President picked three people, called commissioners, to find and plan the capital city. From 1791 to 1802, these three commissioners managed the area.

In 1801, the U.S. Congress took direct control of the District. The Board of Commissioners was ended. The District then had five parts: three cities with their own local governments and two rural counties. The cities were Georgetown, Alexandria, and the new City of Washington. Each city had its own mayors. The two counties were Alexandria County (in what is now Virginia) and Washington County, D.C. (in what is now Maryland).

In 1846, Alexandria County and the City of Alexandria became part of Virginia again. This left D.C. with two cities and one county.

In 1871, all these parts of D.C. were brought together under one government. This new government was led by a Governor. Only two governors served before this system changed in 1874. After that, a temporary group of three commissioners, chosen by the President, took over. This group became permanent in 1878 and lasted until 1967.

In 1967, a single mayor-commissioner and a city council, all appointed by the President, replaced the three-commissioner system. Finally, in 1974, a law called the District of Columbia Home Rule Act allowed D.C. residents to vote for their own mayor.

Today, the Mayor of the District of Columbia is chosen by voters for a four-year term. There's no limit to how many terms a mayor can serve. Even though D.C. is not a state, its government handles many responsibilities similar to those of state governors. The current mayor of D.C. is Muriel Bowser, who is a Democrat. She has been mayor since January 2, 2015.

This page lists all the main leaders of the District of Columbia in their different roles.

Early Commissioners of the Federal City (1791–1802)

In 1790, a law created a group of three commissioners. Their job was to plan the new capital city, buy land, and oversee the building of federal buildings. These commissioners didn't manage the daily city rules much. Their powers were later given to other officials. Local matters were handled by a "Levy Court" made up of Justices of the Peace.

# Image Member Term began Term ended State Political party
1 No image.svg David Stuart January 22, 1791 September 12, 1794 Virginia Independent
2 Thomas Johnson (governor).jpeg Thomas Johnson January 22, 1791 August 23, 1794 Maryland Federalist
3 Daniel Carroll (NYPL b12349185-425114) (cropped).jpg Daniel Carroll March 4, 1791 May 21, 1795 Maryland Independent
4 Augustus (i.e. Gustavus) Scott, member of the Continental Congress, from Maryland (NYPL b12349185-420090) (cropped).jpg Gustavus Scott August 23, 1794 December 25, 1800 Maryland Independent
5 Gilbert Stuart, William Thornton, 1804, NGA 1119.jpg William Thornton September 12, 1794 July 1, 1802 Pennsylvania Independent
6 No image.svg Alexander White May 21, 1795 July 1, 1802 Virginia Pro-Administration
7 William Cranch (cropped).jpg William Cranch January 14, 1801 March 3, 1801 Massachusetts Federalist
8 Portrait of Tristram Dalton, 1st US Senator from Massachusetts.jpg Tristram Dalton March 10, 1801 July 1, 1802 Massachusetts Pro-Administration
Source:

Mayors of the City of Washington (1802–1871)

The City of Washington got its own official government in 1802. The Mayor of Washington was in charge of city services and local taxes. However, their main job was to ask Congress for money to run the city.

From 1802 to 1812, the U.S. President chose the mayor. From 1812 to 1820, a city council picked the mayor. After 1820, people in the city voted for their mayor until 1871. The City of Washington was located between Rock Creek to the west, Florida Avenue to the north, and the Anacostia River to the east and south.

The County of Washington, which included the cities of Washington and Georgetown, was also governed by a Levy Court. This court was made up of Justices of the Peace chosen by the President. In 1871, the Levy Court and the City of Washington's mayor were ended when Congress combined all the remaining governments in D.C.

Image Mayor Term began Term ended Political party
RobertBrent.jpg Robert Brent June 1, 1802 June 8, 1812 Democratic-Republican Party
No image.svg Daniel Rapine June 8, 1812 June 14, 1813 Independent
James Heighe Blake.jpg James H. Blake June 14, 1813 June 9, 1817 Independent
Mayor orr.jpg Benjamin G. Orr June 9, 1817 June 14, 1819 Independent
No image.svg Samuel N. Smallwood June 14, 1819 June 14, 1822 Independent
ThomasCarbery (cropped).png Thomas Carbery June 14, 1822 June 14, 1824 Independent
No image.svg Samuel N. Smallwood June 14, 1824 September 30, 1824 Independent
Gen. Weightman, C.S.A - NARA - 526634 (cropped) (cropped).jpg Roger C. Weightman October 4, 1824 June 11, 1827 Independent
Joseph gales.jpg Joseph Gales June 11, 1827 June 14, 1830 Independent
John Peter Van Ness (Gilbert Stuart).jpg John Peter Van Ness June 14, 1830 June 9, 1834 Democratic-Republican
No image.svg William A. Bradley June 9, 1834 June 13, 1836 Independent
Peter Force by Mathew Brady c1858, detail (cropped).jpg Peter Force June 13, 1836 June 8, 1840 Whig Party
William Winston Seaton - Brady-Handy (cropped).jpg William Winston Seaton June 8, 1840 June 10, 1850 Whig Party
Walter Lenox.png Walter Lenox June 10, 1850 June 14, 1852 Independent
JohnWMaury.jpg John W. Maury June 14, 1852 June 12, 1854 Democratic
JohnTTowers.jpg John T. Towers June 12, 1854 June 9, 1856 Know Nothing
William B. Magruder.png William B. Magruder June 9, 1856 June 14, 1858 Anti-Know-Nothing-Party
JamesGBerret.jpg James G. Berret June 14, 1858 August 26, 1861 Anti-Know-Nothing-Party, Democratic
Mayor Wallach of Washington D.C - NARA - 529273 (cropped) (cropped).jpg Richard Wallach August 26, 1861 June 8, 1868 Republican
SaylesJBowen.jpg Sayles J. Bowen June 8, 1868 June 7, 1870 Republican
WEBB(1892) p417 - Emery, Matthew G.jpg Matthew G. Emery June 7, 1870 February 28, 1871 Republican
Source:

Mayors of Georgetown (1790–1871)

Georgetown was a town in Maryland before 1801. It then became a city within the District of Columbia. From 1802 to 1871, Georgetown's mayors were elected for one-year terms. There were no limits on how many terms they could serve. Like the City of Washington, Georgetown's local government ended in 1871. This happened when Congress combined the three separate areas into one D.C. government.

# Image Mayor Term began Term ended
1 No image.svg Robert Peter 1790 1791
2 No image.svg Thomas Beale 1791 1792
3 Uriah Forrest (cropped).jpg Uriah Forrest 1792 1793
4 John Threlkeld Portrait.jpg John Threlkeld 1793 1794
5 No image.svg Pedro Casenave 1794 1795
6 No image.svg Thomas Turner 1795 1796
7 No image.svg Daniel Reintzel 1796 1797
8 No image.svg Lloyd Beall 1797 1799
9 No image.svg Daniel Reintzel 1799 1804
10 Charles Peale Polk, Thomas Corcoran, c. 1802-1810, NGA 176396.jpg Thomas Corcoran 1805 1806
11 No image.svg Daniel Reintzel 1806 1807
12 Charles Peale Polk, Thomas Corcoran, c. 1802-1810, NGA 176396.jpg Thomas Corcoran 1808 1810
13 David Wiley circa 1768- 1813.jpg David Wiley 1811 1812
14 Charles Peale Polk, Thomas Corcoran, c. 1802-1810, NGA 176396.jpg Thomas Corcoran 1812 1813
15 No image.svg John Peter 1813 1818
16 Profile Portrait of Henry Foxall.png Henry Foxall 1819 1820
17 No image.svg John Peter 1821 1822
18 No image.svg John Cox 1823 1845
19 Portrait of Henry Addison (cropped).jpg Henry Addison 1845 1857
20 No image.svg Richard R. Crawford 1857 1861
21 Portrait of Henry Addison (cropped).jpg Henry Addison 1861 1867
22 No image.svg Charles D. Welch 1867 1869
23 No image.svg Henry M. Sweeney 1869 1871

Governors of the District of Columbia (1871–1874)

In 1871, Congress created a new government for the entire District of Columbia. This government was led by a governor chosen by the President for a four-year term. However, this government faced problems with how it was run. Because of these issues, the governor system was stopped in 1874.

# Image Governor Term began Term ended Political party
1 HD cookeHDc.jpg   Henry D. Cooke February 28, 1871 September 13, 1873 Republican
2 Alexander-Robey-Shepherd.jpg   Alexander R. Shepherd September 13, 1873 June 20, 1874 Republican

Temporary Commissioners of D.C. (1874–1878)

From 1874 to 1878, D.C. was managed by a temporary group of three commissioners. These commissioners had both law-making and executive powers. They were all chosen by the President. There was no official president for this temporary board, but Commissioner Dennison often acted as the leader.

# Image Member Term began Term ended Political party
1 William Dennison, Jr.jpg   William Dennison July 1, 1874 July 1, 1878 Republican
2 HTBlow.jpg   Henry T. Blow July 1, 1874 December 31, 1874 Republican
3 John Henry Ketcham.jpg   John H. Ketcham July 3, 1874 June 30, 1877 Republican
4 Seth L. Phelps.jpg   Seth Ledyard Phelps January 18, 1875 June 30, 1878 Republican
5 1868LeadingMenBryan (1).jpg   Thomas Barbour Bryan December 3, 1877 July 1, 1878 Republican
Source:

Presidents of the Board of Commissioners (1878–1967)

In 1878, the Board of Commissioners became a permanent system. From 1878 to 1967, D.C. was run by this three-member board. All members were chosen by the President. The board included one Democrat, one Republican, and one civil engineer (who didn't have a specific party). These three commissioners would then choose one of themselves to be the president of the board. The president of the board was the main leader of the District.

     Denotes an Acting President

# Image President Term began Term ended Political party
1 Seth L. Phelps.jpg   Seth Ledyard Phelps July 1, 1878 November 29, 1879 Republican
2 No image.svg   Josiah Dent November 29, 1879 July 17, 1882 Democratic
3 Joseph R. West - cwpbh 03614 (cropped).jpg   Joseph Rodman West July 17, 1882 March 29, 1883 Republican
4 No image.svg   James Barker Edmonds March 29, 1883 January 1, 1886 Democratic
5 WEBB(1892) p828 - Webb, William B.jpg   William Benning Webb January 1, 1886 May 21, 1889 Republican
6 J. W. Douglass.png   John Watkinson Douglass May 21, 1889 March 1, 1893 Republican
7 WEBB(1892) p170 - Ross, John W.jpg   John Wesley Ross March 1, 1893 June 1, 1898 Democratic
8 No image.svg   John Brewer Wight June 1, 1898 May 9, 1900 Republican
9 Henry Brown Floyd MacFarland.png   Henry Brown Floyd MacFarland May 9, 1900 January 24, 1910 Republican
10 Cuno, (10-11-23) LCCN2016848091 (cropped).jpg   Cuno Hugo Rudolph January 24, 1910 February 28, 1913 Republican
11 Oliver P. Newman in 1913.png   Oliver Peck Newman February 28, 1913 October 9, 1917 Democratic
12 Louis Brownlow 1938.png   Louis Brownlow October 9, 1917 September 17, 1920 Democratic
KUTZ, C.W. GENERAL LCCN2016856406 (cropped).jpg   Charles Willauer Kutz September 17, 1920 September 25, 1920 Independent
13 John Thilman Hendrick.png   John Thilman Hendrick September 25, 1920 March 4, 1921 Democratic
14 Cuno, (10-11-23) LCCN2016848091 (cropped).jpg   Cuno Hugo Rudolph March 15, 1921 December 4, 1926 Republican
15 Proctor L. Dougherty, (3x4 cropped).jpg   Proctor Lambert Dougherty December 4, 1926 April 10, 1930 Republican
16 REICHELDERFER, L. DOCTOR LCCN2016862622 (cropped).jpg   Luther Halsey Reichelderfer April 10, 1930 November 16, 1933 Republican
17 HAZEN, MELVIN C. LCCN2016856963 (cropped).tif   Melvin Colvin Hazen November 16, 1933 July 15, 1941 Democratic
18 John Russel Young (cropped).jpg John Russell Young July 15, 1941 July 29, 1941 Republican
July 29, 1941 June 2, 1952
19 F. Joseph Donohue (1961).jpg   F. Joseph Donohue June 2, 1952 April 6, 1953 Democratic
20 No image.svg   Samuel Spencer April 6, 1953 April 6, 1956 Republican
21 No image.svg   Robert E. McLaughlin April 6, 1956 July 27, 1961 Republican
22 Walter N. Tobriner (DC 1).png   Walter Nathan Tobriner July 27, 1961 November 7, 1967 Democratic
Source:

Mayor-Commissioner (1967–1975)

In 1967, President Lyndon Johnson changed D.C.'s government again. The three-commissioner system was replaced. A single mayor-commissioner, an assistant mayor-commissioner, and a nine-member district council now led the city. All these officials were chosen by the President.

The mayor-commissioner and assistant served four-year terms. Council members served three-year terms. The council had power to approve the budget and set property taxes. The mayor-commissioner could make changes to city agencies and move money between them. The mayor-commissioner could also reject council actions, but the council could overrule this with a three-fourths vote.

Walter E. Washington was the first mayor-commissioner. Thomas W. Fletcher was the first assistant mayor-commissioner.

# Mayor-Commissioner Term start Term end Party
1 Walterwashington.jpg Walter Washington November 7, 1967 January 2, 1975 Democratic

Mayors of the District of Columbia (1975–present)

Since 1975, D.C. has been led by a mayor and a district council. Both are chosen by the people of D.C. through elections.

Parties

      Democratic (7)

# Mayor Term of office Party Term Previous office
1
Walterwashington.jpg
Walter Washington
(1915–2003)
January 2, 1975

January 2, 1979
Democratic 1
(1974)
Mayor-Commissioner of the District of Columbia
2
Marion Barry, 1996 in Washington, D.C (cropped).jpg
Marion Barry
(1936–2014)
January 2, 1979

January 2, 1991
Democratic 2
(1978)
Member of the Council of the District of Columbia
from the at-large district
(1975–1979)
3
(1982)
4
(1986)
3
Mayor Sharon Pratt.jpg
Sharon Pratt Kelly
(born 1944)
January 2, 1991

January 2, 1995
Democratic 5
(1990)
Treasurer of the Democratic National Committee
(1985–1989)
4
Marion Barry, 1996 in Washington, D.C (cropped).jpg
Marion Barry
(1936–2014)
January 2, 1995

January 2, 1999
Democratic 6
(1994)
Member of the Council of the District of Columbia
from Ward 8
(1993–1995)
5
Mayor Williams Anthony.jpg
Anthony A. Williams
(born 1951)
January 2, 1999

January 2, 2007
Democratic 7
(1998)
D.C. Chief Financial Officer
(1995–1998)
8
(2002)
6
Adrian Fenty, 2006.jpg
Adrian Fenty
(born 1970)
January 2, 2007

January 2, 2011
Democratic 9
(2006)
Member of the Council of the District of Columbia
from Ward 4
(2001–2007)
7
Vincentgray.jpg
Vincent C. Gray
(born 1942)
January 2, 2011

January 2, 2015
Democratic 10
(2010)
Chairman of the Council of the District of Columbia
(2007–2011)
8
Mayor Bowser Headshot hi (cropped).jpg
Muriel Bowser
(born 1972)
January 2, 2015

Incumbent
Democratic 11
(2014)
Member of the Council of the District of Columbia
from Ward 4
(2007–2015)
12
(2018)
13
(2022)

See also

  • Timeline of Washington, D.C.
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List of mayors of Washington, D.C. Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.