Tuesday's mayoral races were good for incumbents, women, Democrats, and minorities


The mayors of New York City (Bill de Blasio), Boston (Marty Walsh), Detroit (Mike Duggan), St. Petersburg (Rick Kriseman), and Cleveland (Frank Jackson) — all Democrats — won their bids for re-election on Tuesday. In open races, though, women and minorities came up big. Here's a quick look at some of the notable winners.
Seattle: Former U.S. Attorney Jenny Durkan, a Democrat, was elected Seattle's first female mayor since Bertha Knight Landes in 1926, defeating urban planner and activist Cary Moon to replace Ed Murray, who resigned amid sexual abuse allegations.
Charlotte: Vi Lyles, the Democratic mayor pro tem, defeated Republican City Councilman Kenny Smith to become the first black woman to lead the North Carolina metropolis, and Charlotte's seventh new mayor since 2009. Incumbent Mayor Jennifer Roberts lost in the primary.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Manchester, N.H.: Joyce Craig became Manchester's first female mayor and the first Democrat to hold the position in a decade. She beat incumbent Republican Ted Gatsas.
Hoboken, N.J.: City Councilman Ravi Bhalla became New Jersey's first Sikh to be elected mayor, and reportedly the first turban-wearing Sikh to lead an American city, beating a field of five other candidates to replace Mayor Dawn Zimmer, who endorsed Bhalla. In the race's final stretch some unidentified people distributed a doctored flier urging voters, "Don't let TERRORISM take over our town!" Bhalla is an Indian-American born in New Jersey.
Atlanta: The crowded race to replace term-limited Mayor Kasim Reed will go to a runoff as two city councilwomen, Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms and independent Mary Norwood, got the most votes. The two women will face each other again on Dec. 5.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
'"Andor" examines all sides of how empires operate'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US
-
DHS chief Kristi Noem's purse stolen from eatery
Speed Read Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's purse was stolen while she dined with family at a restaurant in Washington, D.C.
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Harvard sues Trump over frozen grant money
Speed Read The Trump administration withheld $2.2 billion in federal grants and contracts after Harvard rejected its demands
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
DHS chief Kristi Noem's purse stolen from eatery
Speed Read Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's purse was stolen while she dined with family at a restaurant in Washington, D.C.
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Trump stands by Hegseth amid ouster reports
Speed Read The president dismissed reports that he was on the verge of firing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over a second national security breach
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US
-
Hegseth reportedly shared war plans in 2nd group text
Speed Read The defense secretary sent information about an attack in Yemen to a Signal group chat that included his wife and brother
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Judge threatens Trump team with criminal contempt
Speed Read James Boasberg attempts to hold the White House accountable for disregarding court orders over El Salvador deportation flights
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US
-
Biden slams Trump's Social Security cuts
Speed Read In his first major public address since leaving office, Biden criticized the Trump administration's 'damage' and 'destruction'
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
El Salvador refuses to return US deportee
Speed Read President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador said he would not send back the unlawfully deported Kilmar Ábrego García
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Trump says electronics tariff break won't last
Speed Read The tariff exemptions on smartphones, laptops and other electronic devices are temporary, the administration says
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Man charged in arson attack on Pennsylvania's Shapiro
Speed Read Governor Josh Shapiro and his family were sleeping when someone set fire to his Harrisburg mansion
By Peter Weber, The Week US