A nurse and community activist has won the Democratic Party primary for the mayoralty of the American city of Buffalo, putting her on track to be the first woman and socialist to become the city’s mayor.
India Walton, an Intensive Care Nurse and union activist, defeated four term-incumbent mayor Byron Brown to receive the party’s nomination for the heavily Democratic city.
She ran on a platform of improving health care, reducing poverty, and delivering on affordable housing policies.
Walton had been working as a Neonatal ICU and school nurse for a number of years. She was also a union representative for the 1199 Service Employees International Union.
“We are ready for change. And I am a transformative and servant leader,” Walton said.
“This is a radical act of love for me ― a big risk. But I can feel it in my bones, we can win this thing.”
In her campaign, Walton received the endorsement of a number of unions, including the Buffalo Teachers Federation.
Her campaign has buoyed progressives in the United States, who have seen rising support since the election of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in New York City.
The Buffalo mayoral election is slated for 2 November. She is not being opposed by a Republican opponent, however the incumbent mayor has announced that he will be mounting a write-in campaign against Walton.