Scoop: Janeese Lewis George plots Mamdani-style mayoral campaign

The big picture: Lewis George is a democratic socialist. Bowser has run city hall more like a centrist.

What I'm hearing: A politico advising Lewis George was chewing through the mechanics of the campaign over breakfast on Wednesday at Capitol Hill's Tune Inn with former council member Tommy Wells. A tipster seated next to them who overheard the scheming spills the details:

• Lewis George wants to enlist 5,000+ volunteers, emulating Mamdani's army of door knockers and phone bankers.
• The campaign wants to bring on a digital guru from the Mamdani camp.
• They'll go big on TikTok and target young voters online.

Wells pledged to help with buckraking and strategy, and stressed that old-school campaigning was also crucial.

• Wells formerly repped the voter-rich Capitol Hill area. He knows city government inside out, as a former energy department director and briefly top adviser to Bowser.

• Wells was overheard saying he'd help Lewis George's transition team if she wins.

What they're saying: Wells declined to comment. Lewis George didn't reply to a text message.

What's next: The tipster said the two men talked about a potential launch in the first half of December.

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