Photo by Crystal Davis.

Following her 19-point victory last night, Mayor Vincent Gray congratulated Ward 4 Councilmember Muriel Bowser on the winning the election to become the next mayor of D.C.

“Tonight, I congratulate Councilmember Muriel Bowser for her victory at the polls, along with other new and continuing elected officials who won their respective contests,” Gray said in a statement. “I have directed all in my administration to work with the incoming administration to ensure a smooth transition. We have accomplished a great deal over the past four years, and I hope the next Mayor and Council will continue on the positive, upward trajectory we’ve set for the benefit of all of the residents of the District of Columbia.”

Bower is set to brief the press on her transition plan at 1 p.m. today. As the Post reported Monday, Bowser began making transition plans even before her victory.

Beverly L. Perry, who retired as Pepco’s senior vice president of government affairs in July, has undertaken transition efforts in recent weeks that have included a mid-October meeting with Mayor Vincent C. Gray, according to two people familiar with the talks but not authorized to discuss them openly ahead of the election.

Bowser defeated Gray in the April primary by eight points. She opposes a school boundary plan accepted by Gray in August.