Rhonda Natalie Hamilton is running for District of Columbia mayor as an independent in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election.

She faces Janeese Lewis George, a Democrat, and Robert L. Gross of the Statehood Green Party.

This profile is based on Hamilton's campaign responses, public records and published reporting. Candidate claims are attributed below.

Candidate information

  • Party: Independent
  • Residence: Ward 6 (born and raised in Ward 8), according to her campaign website
  • Education: Bachelor's degree in business administration and management, University of the District of Columbia; honorary doctorate of humane letters, The Fishers of Men University (2020), according to her campaign website and BallotReady
  • Family background: Daughter of a U.S. Army veteran, according to her campaign website

Experience and public service

Hamilton serves as Advisory Neighborhood Commission commissioner for District 6D08, according to BallotReady.

Hamilton said she founded M.I. Mother's Keeper, a D.C.-based mental health advocacy nonprofit where she serves as executive director, according to BallotReady. Hamilton said the organization has helped families navigate mental health systems of care since 2015. She also serves as president of The Healthy DC & Me Leadership Coalition and owner of Waterfront Insurance Network, according to BallotReady.

Hamilton formerly served as broker and owner of Coldwell Banker Household Realty, which DC News Now reported was Coldwell Banker's first African American franchise-owned real estate brokerage in Prince George's County, Maryland. She also serves as a board member of the United Planning Organization Health Advisory Council and is a radio personality on World Power Gospel Radio in Prince George's County, according to her campaign website.

In 2022, Hamilton challenged Mayor Muriel Bowser as a write-in candidate and was unsuccessful, DC News Now reported.

On the issues

Hamilton's campaign platform, as stated on her campaign website, focuses on eight areas:

  • Housing and homelessness reform: Hamilton lists housing and homelessness as a top priority.
  • Mental and physical healthcare: Hamilton calls for "progressive mental and physical healthcare outcomes." Her nonprofit background centers on mental health advocacy.
  • Public safety: Hamilton includes increased public safety among her platform priorities.
  • Budget accountability: Hamilton says she wants to "clean up the budget" by auditing the current mayor's spending.
  • Economic and community priorities: Her platform also includes improving economic disparities, small business stability, unification of families and communities across D.C. and investment in youth advancement.