Full debate to be carried live on WTTG FOX 5 DC and online through Georgetown University Institute of Politics and Public Service digital platforms.
(March 12, 2026 – WASHINGTON) Georgetown University and its Institute of Politics and Public Service (GU Politics) at the McCourt School of Public Policy have announced a public partnership with WTTG FOX 5 DC to host a televised debate for qualifying individuals running to be the Democratic candidate for Mayor of the District of Columbia on May 18, 2026, from 7:00 to 8:00 PM.
The in-person debate will be held at the McCourt School of Public Policy on Georgetown’s Capitol Campus, located at 125 E Street NW. The event will be televised on FOX 5, streamed online by GU Politics and Fox Local, and will be moderated by FOX 5’s Jim Lokay and Katie Barlow and GU Politics Executive Director Mo Elleithee. It will be held in front of a live audience consisting of Georgetown University community members and residents from across the District.
“There’s no question that the District of Columbia is facing some pretty big issues in some pretty extraordinary times,” said Mo Elleithee, Executive Director of Georgetown University’s Institute of Politics and Public Service. “With the first open seat in 20 years, this debate will give voters an opportunity to hear the Democratic candidates contrast their different visions for the future of the District. We are thrilled to partner with FOX 5 DC to offer this opportunity.”
“We are proud to partner with Georgetown University’s Institute of Politics and Public Service to present this important event to the community,” said Sue Diviney, Senior Vice President and General Manager of WTTG FOX 5. “We trust that Jim, Katie, and Mo will elicit responses from the candidates that help voters form opinions on which representative is best suited to take on the unique challenges of the role and fight for the needs of the local community at this critical time in history.”
The debate will be held as registered District of Columbia voters begin receiving their mail ballots, and before the beginning of in-person early voting. This is also expected to be the first televised debate since the District implemented ranked-choice voting for local elections.
Any candidate who meets at least one of the following three criteria will qualify and tentatively be invited to participate in the debate pending final confirmation they have also qualified for the Democratic primary ballot:
- Have been certified as a participating candidate in the District’s Fair Elections Program through the final Office of Campaign Finance filing for Fair Elections Program participants prior to the debate;
- Demonstrated at least 1,000 campaign donations in the campaign’s final Office of Campaign Finance filing for Traditional Campaign Committees prior to the debate; or
- Poll at 5% or higher in an independent, scientifically conducted Democratic primary public poll sponsored by a broadly recognized news organization released between February 1 and May 11, 2026.
To date, businessman Gary Goodweather, Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis-George, and former At-large Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie have met at least one of the three criteria and been issued tentative invitations which will be finalized once they qualify for the ballot. All three have accepted the invitation. Other candidates who meet the above criteria and accept an invitation to participate will be announced prior to the debate.
WTTG FOX 5 DC will carry live the hour-long debate, from 7:00 to 8:00 PM. DC residents can also watch the debate through both Fox Local and Georgetown University Institute of Politics and Public Service digital platforms, including politics.georgetown.edu. Fox 5 will also stream exclusive pre-and post-debate coverage on Fox Local offering extended analysis and candidate reaction to viewers watching on streaming platforms. More information will be shared in advance of the debate including information on how to attend in-person or tune in virtually.
This is the second time GU Politics and Fox 5 DC have partnered to produce a live mayoral primary debate. The two teamed up to produce a debate ahead of the 2022 Democratic primary election.
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ABOUT THE INSTITUTE OF POLITICS AND PUBLIC SERVICE:
The Institute of Politics and Public Service (GU Politics) connects and empowers students and the broader community to improve and reimagine politics and public service and reaffirm its promise. Founded as part of the McCourt School of Public Policy in the fall of 2015, GU Politics programming is open to the entire Georgetown community, providing Georgetown’s academic community with access to political and public service practitioners across the ideological divide.
ABOUT THE MCCOURT SCHOOL OF PUBLIC POLICY:
Located in our nation’s capital, Georgetown’s McCourt School of Public Policy offers one undergraduate degree, five master’s degree programs, nine dual degrees, global learning opportunities in a range of destinations, and certificate and other executive education programming. Our mission is to tackle the complex issues of today, and inspire and empower the leaders of tomorrow. We are a community of global citizens, conducting policy-relevant research, and building bridges between our work and the communities we serve.
ABOUT GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY:
Established in 1789 by Archbishop John Carroll, Georgetown is the oldest Catholic and Jesuit university in the United States. Located in Washington DC, Doha, Qatar, and around the world, Georgetown University is a leading academic and research institution, offering a unique educational experience that prepares the next generation of global citizens to lead and make a difference in the world. For more information about Georgetown University, visit Georgetown.edu or connect with Georgetown on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, or Instagram.
ABOUT WTTG FOX 5 DC:
WTTG FOX 5 DC is part of the FOX Television Stations, which owns and operates 29 full power broadcast television stations in the U.S. These include stations located in 14 of the top 15 largest designated market areas, or DMAs, and duopolies in 11 DMAs, including the three largest DMAs (New York, Los Angeles and Chicago). Of these stations, 18 are affiliated with the FOX Network. In addition to distributing sports, entertainment and syndicated content, our television stations collectively produce approximately 1,350 hours of local news every week. These stations leverage viewer, distributor and advertiser demand for the FOX Network’s national content.