Jan 30, 2026 - News

Scoop: No, Randy Clarke will not run for D.C. mayor

Cuneyt Dil

Randy Clarke poses from the captain's window of a Metro train — Photo: Eric Lee for The Washington Post via Getty Images

Metro General Manager Randy Clarke is flattered by the interest — but he tells Axios he's not running for D.C. mayor.

Why it matters: Clarke puts to rest the half-joking — and often earnest — "Randy for mayor" chatter that took off on social media after Metro's turnaround, including its widely praised snowstorm response.

What he's saying: "I will not be running for mayor of D.C., but I look forward to working closely with our next mayor to build a strong relationship, as I've done with our current mayor, to ensure Metro is delivering world-class service for our community," Clarke told Axios on Friday morning.

Clarke says he's "truly humbled" by online posts urging him to run.
"The comments I've seen are really a reflection of what Metro means to the region," he said.
"I'm very proud of all Team Metro has accomplished, and I'm honored to serve our community as Metro's general manager," Clarke added.

Flashback: Last year in Town Talker, I sketched out a hypothetical case for Clarke as a technocratic mayor — before two leading candidates, Council members Janeese Lewis George and Kenyan McDuffie, got in the race.

Editor's note: This is a developing story.

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Scoop: No, Randy Clarke will not run for D.C. mayor

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