FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 11, 2025

Contact:
Anthony Field | Campaign Manager, Goodweather for DC
anthony@goodweatherfordc.com | 301.892.3165

Goodweather Campaign Shatters Records for First-Time DC Mayoral Candidate

Grassroots effort raises nearly $280,000 with matching funds from over 1,000 DC donors — a historic first

Washington, D.C. — Gary Goodweather, DC business leader, U.S. Army veteran, and candidate for Mayor of Washington, D.C., today announced that his campaign — his first run for any public office — has achieved what no first-time candidate has ever accomplished in a DC mayoral race: raising nearly $280,000 (including DC Fair Elections matching funds) from more than 1,000 individual DC donors.

The milestone, reflected in the campaign's latest finance report, marks an unprecedented level of grassroots support for a political newcomer in the District.

"What we've built together is historic," said Goodweather. "We started with no name recognition, no donor list, no political machine. What we had was a message and a willingness to show up — ward by ward, door by door, conversation by conversation. More than a thousand of our neighbors have now joined this movement. You can't fake that."

The numbers tell only part of the story. Over the past several months, Goodweather has built a volunteer operation of more than 50 DC residents who have discussed policy, attended events, and spread the word across their neighborhoods. The campaign has maintained a presence in all eight wards — from organization meetings and farmers markets to church services and neighborhood cookouts.

"What I hear in every ward is the same," Goodweather continued. "People want to feel safe. They want to afford to stay in this city. They want opportunity. And honestly? They're skeptical — because they've been promised all of that before. What's different about this campaign is we're showing our work. Real policy. Real plans. People know the difference."

Goodweather, who has never held or sought political office, entered the race with a vision for a safer, more prosperous, and more self-determined Washington. His campaign has released detailed policy proposals on transit equity (Fare-Free DC), workforce development (Capital Corps), AI and worker protections (the RISE Act), and neighborhood quality of life — including a comprehensive plan to address the District's rat crisis.

The 2026 Democratic primary represents the first open mayoral seat in Washington, D.C. in two decades.

Gary Goodweather for Mayor is a grassroots, Fair Elections campaign committed to building a safer, stronger, and more self-determined Washington, D.C.

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Paid for by Goodweather for DC, Malachy Nugent, Treasurer

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