Incumbent Seattle mayor concedes to Mamdani-style 'socialist' who tapped her parents for money while running

By Fox News · Fox News

Incumbent Mayor of Seattle Bruce Harrell's attempt to win reelection fell short after a razor-thin loss to local progressive activist and community organizer Katie Wilson. Harrell conceded Thursday as the vote totals all but guaranteed a win for Wilson, who, like Zohran Mamdani, identifies as a democratic socialist. Wilson has become the latest self-described socialist to win elected office, but 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. Wilson beat Harrell by less than 2,000 votes, according to the latest tally on the King County Elections website that was updated yesterday. SEATTLE RESPONSE TO HOMELESSNESS DIVIDES PROGRESSIVES IN UPCOMING MAYORAL RACE "I just spoke with mayor-elect Katie Wilson to congratulate her on a hard fought victory," Harrell said at the top of his speech, adding that his team was standing by to help with the transition "without hesitation." "I feel very good about that conversation," Harrell said of the phone call. "And I feel very good about the future of this city, of this country still." Wilson, perceived as the less experienced candidate, operates a small nonprofit called the Transit Riders Union, for which her work has included advocating for policies around minimum wage increases, better access to public transit and affordable housing. Prior to her establishment of the Transit Riders Union in 2011, Wilson worked several jobs in various unrelated industries, including as a barista, boatyard worker, apartment manager, lab technician, baker, construction worker, and legal assistant. Wilson has credited her parents with helping her run her campaign for mayor. MAMDANI'S MOTHER IN UNEARTHED 2013 INTERVIEW: ‘HE IS NOT AN AMERICAN AT ALL’ "They send me a check periodically to help with the childcare expenses," Wilson told Seattle's PubliCola, noting daycare for her kids cost about $2…