Progressives are making inroads in big-city mayoral races, giving the left flank a new shot in the arm as the Democratic Party faces an internal struggle over its future.

Seattle community activist Katie Wilson surprised some political observers last week in finishing ahead of incumbent Mayor Bruce Harrell (D) in a nonpartisan blanket primary. Though Harrell, who is more moderate, will have the opportunity to win reelection to a second term in November, Wilson is currently almost 10 points ahead of him in the primary results, as of the latest vote count.

Coming in the aftermath of Zohran Mamdani’s upset win in the New York City Democratic primary and as a left-wing challenger hopes to oust the current Minneapolis mayor, progressives are hoping it’s a sign of the tide turning in their favor.

“Our hope is that there’s a real moment for progressives, for folks who want to see change or are upset with the status quo,” said Alex Gallo-Brown, Wilson’s campaign manager in an interview.

The Democratic Party has spent months reevaluating its future in the aftermath of its losses last November and figuring out its direction ahead of the midterms. The party has experienced a battle for at least the past decade between its progressive and moderate wings for control of the party and the message pitched to voters.

Finger-pointing followed former Vice President Harris’s loss in 2024, with progressives getting blame from more moderate Democrats for contributing to a perception of the party as too far left. Coupled with some high-profile defeats for progressive candidates in key congressional and local races in 2024, the progressive wing didn’t appear to be in a strong position entering this year.

But progressives are much more optimistic now following results in some of the mayoral elections taking place this year in large cities.

The first and biggest victory yet came with the surprise win from Mamdani, a New York State Assembly member backed by Democratic........

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