Olson on Fox5DC: D.C. Mayor’s Race, Democratic-Socialists, & the Economy
Byline: Olson Strategies Staff
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Dustin Olson, Managing Partner at Olson Strategies, joined Fox 5 DC to discuss the evolving political landscape in Washington, D.C., following Mayor Muriel Bowser’s decision not to seek a fourth term. Olson also weighed in on the growing influence of Democratic Socialists in the Democrat Party and local governments across the United States. He then turned to what to expect in the new year, including voter sentiment on the economy in 2026.
D.C. Mayoral Race and the Democratic Primary
Olson noted that while the D.C. mayoral race may appear local, it is nationally significant given the city’s political influence. With the Democrat primary effectively deciding the election, he expects a crowded field to emerge quickly.
“For 10 years, I’m sure there have been politicians who’ve been waiting for this day… So I would expect to have a lot more people jump in. The real issue here is, will D.C. go the way of New York City and go to a Democratic-Socialist, or will it be somebody who’s going to be more in the mold of Mayor Anthony Williams, who was pro growth, pro law and order, and can kind of revitalize the city?”
The Rise of Democratic Socialists
Olson emphasized that Democratic-Socialists are gaining steam, pointing to their growing organizational strength within the Democrat party and success in local races across the country.
“What we’ve seen in races across the country, there are now 250 plus elected Democratic-Socialists in local government across the country. So this is a trend that is having an effect on the Democrat party… As opposed to becoming their own party, they [DSA] became a nonprofit that has an explicit strategy to do a kind of hostile takeover of the Democrat Party, just like you would see with a company.”
Voter Sentiment and the Economy
Turning to the broader political environment heading into 2026, Olson addressed voter frustration with inflation and the importance of acknowledging economic pain while offering a forward-looking message.
“Regardless of the fact that economic indicators are doing much better than they were a year ago, he [Trump] has to understand that people still feel the squeeze. We had a 30% increase in most things under Biden-flation, and people are still feeling that… You have to show empathy, understand it, but then also paint the picture of what could be possible for the country.”
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