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Middleburg's next resident: JD Vance

The vice president is eyeing a grand Virginia farmhouse as a getaway from Washington, sources tell Axios.

News

Vice President <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="JD Vance" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/06/vance-summer-trump-heir" data-vars-content-id="df4aebe3-9dd5-448c-982e-b0d8297c0780" data-vars-headline="Middleburg&#x27;s next resident: JD Vance" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/06/vance-summer-trump-heir" target="_self">JD Vance</a> is eyeing a grand farmhouse in Middleburg as a getaway from Washington, sources tell Axios.Why it matters: With three kids and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="one more on the way," data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/20/jd-vance-baby-vice-president-history" data-vars-content-id="df4aebe3-9dd5-448c-982e-b0d8297c0780" data-vars-headline="Middleburg&#x27;s next resident: JD Vance" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/20/jd-vance-baby-vice-president-history" target="_self">one more on the way,</a> the Vances would have more space to unwind in a private enclave.

New details drop about National Harbor's forthcoming Sphere

It will be only the second Sphere in the country.

Development

New details are emerging about the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Sphere" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/03/04/sphere-entertainment-possible-nashville-expansion" data-vars-content-id="e3b434a2-9a96-44e6-a9bd-19cc012b14b3" data-vars-headline="New details drop about National Harbor&#x27;s forthcoming Sphere" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/03/04/sphere-entertainment-possible-nashville-expansion" target="_self">Sphere</a> that&#x27;s coming to National Harbor.Why it matters: The project near the MGM National Harbor Casino would be the country&#x27;s second <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Sphere" data-vars-click-url="https://governor.maryland.gov/news/press-releases/sphere-entertainment-state-maryland-prince-georges-county-and-peterson-companies-announce-intent" data-vars-content-id="e3b434a2-9a96-44e6-a9bd-19cc012b14b3" data-vars-headline="New details drop about National Harbor&#x27;s forthcoming Sphere" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://governor.maryland.gov/news/press-releases/sphere-entertainment-state-maryland-prince-georges-county-and-peterson-companies-announce-intent" target="_blank">Sphere</a> — a flashy new attraction Maryland says could generate <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="$1.5 billion" data-vars-click-url="https://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/news-events/news/sphere-national-harbor-bring-significant-economic-benefits-prince-georges-county-and-maryland" data-vars-content-id="e3b434a2-9a96-44e6-a9bd-19cc012b14b3" data-vars-headline="New details drop about National Harbor&#x27;s forthcoming Sphere" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/news-events/news/sphere-national-harbor-bring-significant-economic-benefits-prince-georges-county-and-maryland" target="_blank">$1.5 billion</a> in annual economic impact.

George Washington's $1,000 whiskey is out now

Mount Vernon just released its first bourbon from the reconstructed distillery — fewer than 350 bottles, hand-bottled on-site using 18th-century methods, as part of America's 250th.

America at 250

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="George Washington" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2023/09/01/george-washington-ice-cream" data-vars-content-id="c39aacc3-d154-4a96-affd-1aadfd322f39" data-vars-headline="George Washington&#x27;s $1,000 whiskey is out now" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2023/09/01/george-washington-ice-cream" target="_self">George Washington</a> — Founding Father, first U.S. president, big whiskey guy.Why it matters: Washington&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Mount Vernon" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/02/18/george-washington-mount-vernon-actor" data-vars-content-id="c39aacc3-d154-4a96-affd-1aadfd322f39" data-vars-headline="George Washington&#x27;s $1,000 whiskey is out now" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/02/18/george-washington-mount-vernon-actor" target="_self">Mount Vernon</a> distillery was one of the largest in the Early Republic, producing nearly 11,000 gallons of whiskey in 1799. More than two centuries later, it&#x27;s bottling limited-edition whiskeys for America&#x27;s 250th.

Exclusive: Maryland, Virginia senators demand Trump's East Potomac golf plans

The Trump administration has yet to release final plans for the site.

Senators from Maryland and Virginia are demanding the Trump administration reveal details about its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="East Potomac golf course" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/06/28/trump-dc-golf-course-renovation-east-potomac-links" data-vars-content-id="8188ba26-78f4-49b1-a710-0ef76f9da764" data-vars-headline="Exclusive: Maryland, Virginia senators demand Trump&#x27;s East Potomac golf plans" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/06/28/trump-dc-golf-course-renovation-east-potomac-links" target="_self">East Potomac golf course</a> redevelopment. Why it matters: President Trump has vowed to transform East Potomac into a championship-level course, but key details — including how much land it&#x27;ll occupy and whether everyday golfers will still be able to afford it — remain unclear.

Democratic socialists lead in key D.C. races for mayor, council

A lefty wave is poised to take charge in City Hall.

Politics

Key races for mayor and D.C. Council remained too close to call on Wednesday, but democratic socialists were in the lead.Why it matters: A lefty wave is poised to take charge in City Hall, at a time of economic uncertainty and unprecedented pressure from MAGA Republicans.

Robert White wins primary for D.C. delegate

White positioned himself as the inheritor of a "civil rights seat."

D.C. Council member Robert White has won the primary to succeed retiring <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/25/eleanor-holmes-norton-dc-retirement-campaign" data-vars-content-id="c3b01d3a-5e05-48c7-824e-73bca2bd81c0" data-vars-headline="Robert White wins primary for D.C. delegate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/25/eleanor-holmes-norton-dc-retirement-campaign" target="_self">Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton</a>, AP reports.Why it matters: After 35 years, D.C. will have a new delegate, as the GOP-led Congress and the Trump administration <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ramp up scrutiny" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/06/16/dc-foreclosures-unpaid-tax-bills-investigation-comer" data-vars-content-id="c3b01d3a-5e05-48c7-824e-73bca2bd81c0" data-vars-headline="Robert White wins primary for D.C. delegate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/06/16/dc-foreclosures-unpaid-tax-bills-investigation-comer" target="_self">ramp up scrutiny</a> of the city. <ul><li>The future delegate&#x27;s first tasks: Make friends and forge alliances to accrue influence in the non-voting seat.</li></ul>

Janeese Lewis George leads D.C. mayoral primary

The democratic socialist held a sizable lead as of early Wednesday.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Janeese Lewis George" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/02/23/janeese-lewis-george-mayor-race-election-trump-democratic-socialism" data-vars-content-id="4b7d0310-c050-4cb3-b50d-0a175a4c0f1b" data-vars-headline="Janeese Lewis George leads D.C. mayoral primary" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/02/23/janeese-lewis-george-mayor-race-election-trump-democratic-socialism" target="_self">Janeese Lewis George</a> holds a double-digit lead in D.C.&#x27;s mayoral race.Why it matters: If Lewis George prevails, D.C.&#x27;s embrace of a democratic socialist would mark a 180 from Mayor Muriel Bowser&#x27;s three terms of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="business-friendly leadership" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/06/09/bowser-mcduffie-dc-mayor-election" data-vars-content-id="4b7d0310-c050-4cb3-b50d-0a175a4c0f1b" data-vars-headline="Janeese Lewis George leads D.C. mayoral primary" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/06/09/bowser-mcduffie-dc-mayor-election" target="_self">business-friendly leadership</a> and what critics called a soft approach to President Trump.

Historic D.C. election meets ranked-choice voting

Officials warn that tabulations may stretch over several days.

Tuesday&#x27;s election will be like none other in city history.Why it matters: The ballot feels like a super deluxe edition — open seats for mayor and D.C. delegate will do that, plus there&#x27;s a dizzying array of council candidates.<ul><li>On top of that, it&#x27;s a crash course in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ranked-choice voting" data-vars-click-url="https://dcboe.org/rcv" data-vars-content-id="1442b608-bea7-4039-87b1-fdf4c9b1e24f" data-vars-headline="Historic D.C. election meets ranked-choice voting" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://dcboe.org/rcv" target="_blank">ranked-choice voting</a>.</li></ul>

D.C. Voter Guide: Meet the mayoral candidates

Our Q&A with the seven candidates running for mayor.

It&#x27;s the final sprint in the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="D.C. mayoral race" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/05/28/dc-mayor-election-candidates-voting" data-vars-content-id="9c12b0d2-20b5-4778-80aa-8c80a7f79b24" data-vars-headline="D.C. Voter Guide: Meet the mayoral candidates" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/05/28/dc-mayor-election-candidates-voting" target="_self">D.C. mayoral race</a>.Why it matters: For the first time in 12 years, a new mayor will confront D.C.&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="slumping economy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/02/10/dc-unemployment-rate-high-2025-doge-economy" data-vars-content-id="9c12b0d2-20b5-4778-80aa-8c80a7f79b24" data-vars-headline="D.C. Voter Guide: Meet the mayoral candidates" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/02/10/dc-unemployment-rate-high-2025-doge-economy" target="_self">slumping economy</a>, residents upset by rising <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="utility bills" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/03/03/dc-utility-bills-spike-winter-costs" data-vars-content-id="9c12b0d2-20b5-4778-80aa-8c80a7f79b24" data-vars-headline="D.C. Voter Guide: Meet the mayoral candidates" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/03/03/dc-utility-bills-spike-winter-costs" target="_self">utility bills</a> and a topsy-turvy relationship with President Trump.

What a Trump administration means for hometown D.C.

MAGA world despises the "swamp" and wants to shrink government, threatening the livelihoods of thousands of local civil servants.

Election

Donald Trump&#x27;s return to Washington portends four rocky years with the District — especially if he makes good on his campaign rhetoric to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;take over&quot; the city" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/06/24/trump-take-over-dc-government-congress" data-vars-content-id="811d63be-8e48-4a07-9dd1-77872f5d6374" data-vars-headline="What a Trump administration means for hometown D.C." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/06/24/trump-take-over-dc-government-congress" target="_self">&quot;take over&quot; the city</a>.Why it matters: MAGA world despises the &quot;swamp&quot; and wants to shrink government, threatening the livelihoods of thousands of local civil servants.

D.C. approves Initiative 83 for ranked-choice voting

The measure also allows independents to vote in primaries.

D.C. has approved <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Initiative 83" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/08/06/ranked-choice-voting-open-primaries" data-vars-content-id="db21344f-5ffe-4bbc-9673-9b43070f50a5" data-vars-headline="D.C. approves Initiative 83 for ranked-choice voting" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/08/06/ranked-choice-voting-open-primaries" target="_self">Initiative 83</a>, according to the AP, so expect two big changes to local elections: ranked-choice voting and allowing independents to vote in primaries.The big picture: Supporters of ranked-choice voting say it will press candidates to build a broader coalition of supporters and that open primaries will allow more people to have a say in key races.<ul><li>Initiative 83 faced fierce opposition from the city&#x27;s Democratic establishment.</li></ul>

Reminiscing on D.C.'s fave viral moments from the 2020 election

Sure, all the extremely online Washingtonians refreshing their X timelines tonight want to know when the race will be called, but they&#x27;re also scrolling to find out which viral moments will be the real winners of this <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="election season" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/11/04/election-results-certification-timeline" data-vars-content-id="f10e84b1-a15c-4e57-bd30-c6fdb98316e7" data-vars-headline="Reminiscing on D.C.&#x27;s fave viral moments from the 2020 election" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/11/04/election-results-certification-timeline" target="_self">election season</a>.The big picture: As we prepare to doom-scroll alongside all of the DMV, we found ourselves reminiscing on a few of the online hyper-fixations from the 2020 election.

Voter guide: What's on the ballot in the DMV

There is a big Senate race in Maryland, and a D.C. ballot initiative that would change the future of voting.

Voters in D.C., Maryland and Virginia: Here&#x27;s what you need to know about the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2024 election" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/us-presidential-house-senate-elections" data-vars-content-id="36a30a39-a898-42e5-9a78-2a320bbbda24" data-vars-headline="Voter guide: What&#x27;s on the ballot in the DMV" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/us-presidential-house-senate-elections" target="_self">2024 election</a>. Why it matters: There is a big <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Senate race in Maryland" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/09/13/maryland-senate-race-alsobrooks-hogan-polling" data-vars-content-id="36a30a39-a898-42e5-9a78-2a320bbbda24" data-vars-headline="Voter guide: What&#x27;s on the ballot in the DMV" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/09/13/maryland-senate-race-alsobrooks-hogan-polling" target="_self">Senate race in Maryland</a>, and a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="D.C. ballot initiative" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/08/06/ranked-choice-voting-open-primaries" data-vars-content-id="36a30a39-a898-42e5-9a78-2a320bbbda24" data-vars-headline="Voter guide: What&#x27;s on the ballot in the DMV" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/08/06/ranked-choice-voting-open-primaries" target="_self">D.C. ballot initiative</a> that would change the future of voting — plus the presidential contest and down-ballot races.

Maryland will decide on a ballot initiative to enshrine abortion rights

The measure has produced some confusion, not least because abortion is already legal in the state.

In deep-blue Maryland, it&#x27;s unlikely that <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="abortion" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/health/axios-explains-abortion" data-vars-content-id="767e1068-478f-485e-89d1-89a14dcf9400" data-vars-headline="Maryland will decide on a ballot initiative to enshrine abortion rights" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/health/axios-explains-abortion" target="_self">abortion</a> rights would be rolled back, but voters could still enshrine it in the state constitution through a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ballot initiative" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2024/10/24/ballot-measures-dominate-2024-election" data-vars-content-id="767e1068-478f-485e-89d1-89a14dcf9400" data-vars-headline="Maryland will decide on a ballot initiative to enshrine abortion rights" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2024/10/24/ballot-measures-dominate-2024-election" target="_self">ballot initiative</a> this election.The intrigue: The initiative — Question 1, Declaration of Rights - Right to Reproductive Freedom — has produced some confusion, not least because abortion is already legal in the state at all stages of pregnancy.

Election 🗳️

Democratic socialists lead in key D.C. races for mayor, council

Robert White wins primary for D.C. delegate

Janeese Lewis George leads D.C. mayoral primary

Historic D.C. election meets ranked-choice voting

D.C. Voter Guide: Meet the mayoral candidates