Hello everyone, This is "My Turn, Newsweek story". (Picture: Me and Judith Martin, Washington Post columnist at the Cosmos Club)

Most people expect you to slow down at 75. I chose to run for mayor, pursue a graduate degree at Harvard, and care for my 92-year-old mother full-time. Because when you love your city, your family, and your country, you don’t stop showing up. You lean in harder.
I’m a native Washingtonian and a lifelong Democrat. I was born and raised in the nation’s capital, and I’ve lived long enough to see it change in dramatic ways, for better and for worse. What hasn’t changed is my belief that the
people of this city deserve leadership that works for them, not for personal gain. That belief is what drives everything I do today.
After decades of work, I went back to school and earned my undergraduate degree from the University of Maryland in Interdisciplinary Studies, with a minor in mathematics. Most of my classmates were a generation or two younger than I. But that never made me feel out of place—if anything, it energized me. I realized I had more to learn, more to offer, and more to prove.
I am refining my leadership skills and will be able to deploy best practices for economic equity, technology, and organizational management. I want my children and grandchildren to see that learning and service don’t end at retirement—they evolve.
I recently completed my book, Growing Up in the Nation’s Capital: Washington, D.C., which is currently being edited with help from my friend, Washington Post columnist Judith Martin, best known to readers as "Miss Manners." It’s a reflection on the city that shaped me, and the values I hope will shape future leaders: faith, family, integrity, and duty.
I carry those values every day—especially at home, where I serve as the primary caregiver for my 92-year-old mother, who remains sharp, funny, and full of love. She lives with me, and I often say that along with my children and grandchildren, she is the love of my life. Caring for her reminds me that service begins at home and extends to the community.
That’s why I decided to run for mayor of Washington, D.C. I couldn’t sit on the sidelines any longer. I was disappointed by what I saw in the divided history of opportunities and educational inequities that border on abuse: a city that too often favors insiders over citizens, silence over accountability, and spectacle over solutions. I speak out because I believe in truth, in open dialogue, and in the power of innovation to improve lives.
Recently, I was alarmed to see members of my party attacking Elon Musk, not with debate, but with vandalism and mob-like behavior. That’s not who we are. Whether you love or disagree with Musk, he represents bold American ingenuity. And when our leaders stay silent while mobs torch cars or intimidate those with dissenting views, they betray the values of democracy.
At my age, some people ask why I don’t take it easy. Why not enjoy the comfort of retirement, write my book, or spend quiet days with my grandchildren?
My answer is simple: I have been through hell, and instead of dwelling on it, I built a kingdom and walked straight out of the fire. And I still believe in the promise of public service. My life has been like a phoenix rising from the
ashes, and I hope it will inspire others to relentlessly pursue their goals and serve their family and community. Your lived experience is invaluable.
If I can campaign, attend school, write a book, and care for my mother at 75, then there’s no excuse for avoiding the hard conversations. America needs elders who don’t just remember the past, but help shape the future.
This is my turn to give all I’ve got. And I won’t waste a minute.
Ernest E. Johnson is a candidate for the Democratic nomination for Mayor of the District of Columbia. He holds a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies from the University of Maryland, with a minor in Mathematics, and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in government at Harvard University.

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