Axios Washington D.C. is an Axios company.

City politicos are wondering about the mayoral campaign of Robert White, a rising star on the D.C. Council whose bid to defeat Muriel Bowser has yet to lift off.

Why it matters: White is considered the top competitive challenger in the race, but he came in at 19% in a Washington Post poll last week.

Many are restless for the mayoral race to catch fire, with under four months until the June 21 Democratic primary.

What they’re saying: “Robert’s going to have to be more visible and more vocal if he wants to make a dent,” says Doug Sloan, a Democratic consultant who lives in the same Colonial Village neighborhood as the mayor and Robert White. On a recent drive, Sloan said, White’s house didn’t even boast a campaign sign.

In a shift, White named a new campaign manager two weeks ago: Luz Eleane Martínez, a 27-year-old who arrived in D.C. working on congressional campaigns as a fellow for Latino Victory Fund, a progressive Democratic group co-founded by Eva Longoria.

She senses the pressure of being a young operative managing her first campaign to topple an incumbent mayor, in a city of big-name consultants with decades of experience.

Between the lines: Robert White’s biggest endorser, Attorney General Karl Racine, expressed displeasure with the pace of his campaign recently, according to a source.

Bonus news: Tom Lindenfeld, campaign manager to several mayors, tells me he supports but no longer works for Trayon White’s campaign, which yesterday released a new video ad.

What is the talk of the town? Drop a line at [email protected] to let me know.

Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Washington D.C..

Support local journalism by becoming a member.

No stories could be found

Get a free daily digest of the most important news in your backyard with Axios Washington D.C..

Support local journalism by becoming a member.