First-time socialist candidate India Walton likely to become Buffalo's next mayor after stunning primary upset

A democratic socialist candidate running her first political campaign is expected to become the next mayor of Buffalo, New York, after a stunning primary upset over the city's longest-serving mayor. India Walton, 38, would be Buffalo's first female mayor and the first socialist mayor of a major American city in six decades.

The Associated Press on Wednesday morning called the Democratic primary for Walton, a nurse and activist who was supported by the Democratic Socialists of America and the Working Families Party. Walton defeated Byron Brown, the incumbent who has led the city since 2006. Brown, who was running for a fifth term, did not concede, citing the absentee ballots that had yet to be counted. But the Associated Press said the number of outstanding ballots wouldn't be enough to close the gap of Walton's 7-point lead. Walton is virtually guaranteed to be elected in the November general election, since there is no Republican challenger.