Mamdani-style candidate living off parents' money could ouster incumbent Dem mayor

Political newcomer and far-left candidate Katie Wilson, who is financially supported by her parents, is on the verge of unseating Seattle’s incumbent Democratic mayor.

The race was held alongside a slate of other top races around the country, including gubernatorial races for New Jersey and Virginia, as well as the New York City mayoral race. The elections were largely seen as a win for Democrats and, in particular, for the far-left faction of the base, which saw local socialist candidates, like Mamdani and others, come away with victories. 

Wilson, who has been likened to Mamdani, could become the latest self-described socialist to win elected office if she maintains her lead. However, unlike many of the other socialist candidates who won their elections last week, but similar to Mamdani, Wilson will end up in a post charged with leading one of the country's largest metropolitan areas. Seattle's metropolitan residency is among one of the largest in the United States with over 4 million residents.