Incumbent Mayor Vince Gray at one point held a healthy lead in his re - election bid . While Gray was the frontrunner in early polls , a Washington Post poll shortly after the Thompson news showed a surging Bowser with 30 % of Democratic support . A businessman 's plea bargain agreement over Gray 's 2010 campaign raised doubts . Challenger Muriel Bowser 's poll numbers surged while Gray 's remained flat . Gray ended up with a double - digit lead over the one - term mayor .
Incumbent Mayor Vince Gray at one point held a healthy lead in his re - election bid . A businessman 's plea bargain agreement over Gray 's 2010 campaign raised doubts . Challenger Muriel Bowser 's poll numbers surged while Gray 's remained flat . Gray ended up with a double - digit lead over the one - term mayor .