Socialist candidates Mamdani and Wilson win NYC and Seattle mayoral races

Socialism was on the ballot in 2025, and the Democratic Socialists of America scored their biggest voting victory ever as New Yorkers elected Zohran Mamdani to lead the nation’s largest city.

Year, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., goaded Democrats into a “Fighting the Oligarchic” tour after last year’s heavy losses. This culminates in two decisive victories for the socialist movement, with Mamdani in New York City and self-described socialist Katie Wilson in Seattle, Washington.

“Thanks to Zohran’s victory, the people defeated the oligarchy; the working class defeated big corporations; Democratic Socialism defeated the status quo of the Democratic Party,” DSA said. he said in a statement While Mamdani declares her victory.

Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell conceded to Wilson on Thursday in a tight race that lasted more than a week to decide the winner, handing power in the West Coast city to the party’s left wing.

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Mamdani congratulated her fellow socialist in a post on Friday morning.

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“Seattle voters have made their voices heard: they want a new kind of policy that rejects corporate PAC money and distributes it to employees. From one elected mayor to the next, I wish you the best. Seattle is in good hands,” Mamdani said.

Both candidates made history as their cities’ first millennial mayors. Driven by affordable agendas, they built their campaigns around bold progressive ideas, from universal child care to city-run grocery stores funded by tax increases on the wealthy.

“I want everyone in this great city of ours to have a roof over their head,” Wilson said Thursday. “I want universal childcare and free K until 8. I want world-class public transport… great, safe public spaces where children can roam without being abandoned, stable, affordable housing for tenants, social housing and much more land and wealth owned and managed by communities rather than corporations.”

President Donald Trump speaks to a meeting of senior U.S. military commanders at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Quantico, Virginia, Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Both socialists have vowed to “Trump-proof” their cities as President Donald Trump’s far-reaching second-term agenda is at the forefront of the 2025 mayoral and governor races.

Trump has already deployed the National Guard to a handful of U.S. cities to fight crime and enforce efforts to deport illegal immigrants, and has promised to cut federal funding to New York City if Mamdani wins.

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In his victory speech last week, Mamdani said, “New York will remain a city of immigrants, built by immigrants, supported by immigrants, and starting tonight, led by an immigrant.” he said. “So listen to me, President Trump, when I say this: To overcome any of us, you will have to overcome all of us.”

At Mamdani’s election night party at Brooklyn’s Paramount theater, fans chanted “DSA” throughout the night. DSA leaders also attended Mamdani’s high-profile “New York is not for sale” rally with Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez ahead of Election Day.

Gov. Kathy Hochul, a more moderate Democrat, said Mamdani’s supporters at Forest Hills Stadium chanted “Tax the rich!” He received a colder reception after chanting slogans. while he was talking.

New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani and Governor Kathy Hochul hold hands on stage while attending the “New York Is Not For Sale” rally at Forest Hills Stadium in the Queens borough of New York City on October 26, 2025. (Reuters/Eduardo Munoz)

Mamdani can’t fulfill his petition promises without Hochul’s approval to raise taxes.

While Mamdani and Wilson are trying to push ambitious policy agendas in two coastal cities, a socialist candidate in the Midwest has not fared as well this election cycle.

Jacob Frey was re-elected as mayor of Minneapolis last week, securing his third term.

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Although Frey chose to add the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party label to the ballot, the election was not officially partisan. He defeated a wide field that included state Sen. Omar Fateh, a DSA-backed socialist.

Fateh has made waves on the national political scene this year, drawing comparisons to Mamdani’s mayoral campaign in New York City. Minnesota Stars Tribune he called her the “Mamdani of Minneapolis.”

Minneapolis Mayoral candidate Omar Fateh gives a phone call Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025, at the University of Minnesota. (Abbie Parr/AP Photo)

The 35-year-old son of Somali immigrants, who became the first Somali American elected to the Minnesota state Senate in 2020, challenged incumbent Frey this year, criticizing the relatively moderate Democrat for “failing to meet the needs of our changing society.”

While socialist slogans echoed in Seattle and New York City, Fateh’s message of change was not enough to carry him over the finish line.

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With a new wave of progressive candidates already eyeing the 2026 midterm elections, the verdict is still out on whether the socialist momentum will continue.

Fox News Digital has reached out to DSA for clarification on their support for Wilson’s campaign.