Key Elections

Winner: Ryan Sorenson

Voter Share: 59.1%

On April 1, 2025, Ryan Sorenson was re-elected as mayor of Sheboygan, defeating challenger John Belanger. As the youngest mayor in the city’s history and its first openly gay mayor, he brought a new generation’s perspective to city leadership. During his first term, Sorenson emphasized improving infrastructure, accelerating road repairs and launching a new strategic plan to guide the city’s growth. He also focused on affordable housing and neighborhood investment, partnering with nonprofits and housing groups to expand workforce housing and single family home options. In his second term, Sorenson is prioritizing continued infrastructure improvements, expanded housing development, sustainability, and supporting local businesses to create good jobs for working families and attract young professionals.

Winner: Justin Bibb

Voter Share: 73.8%

Cleveland voters overwhelmingly re-elected incumbent Mayor Justin Bibb to a second term, giving him nearly 74% of the vote. Bibb framed his landslide win as a mandate to continue efforts on violent crime reduction, investments in the waterfront, and modernizing City Hall. At his victory celebration, he highlighted progress in public safety and digital transformation of city services, while acknowledging immediate challenges like upcoming school closures that he will confront head on. Bibb plans to leverage this momentum to deepen reforms and move the city forward, emphasizing that local leadership and citizen engagement can drive broader change. He enters his new term with broad support and a focus on high quality education, safer neighborhoods, and an inclusive economic recovery for Cleveland’s future.

Winner: Paige Cognetti

Voter Share: 57%

Mayor Paige Cognetti cruised to a third straight victory in Scranton, capturing nearly 57% of the vote against three challengers. Cognetti, the city’s first female Mayor, touted her administration’s ethical reforms and steady management following a predecessor’s corruption scandal, and voters responded by handing her a decisive win. She has already announced plans to run for Congress in 2026, but vowed to continue working hard for Scranton, focusing on public safety and core services like street paving and responsive government. Cognetti’s win also comes as Scranton faces a new City Council lineup, and she has pledged to collaborate with incoming councilors to keep economic development on track and maintain the positive momentum seen under her tenure. Her dominant re-election reflects public approval of her administration’s competent governance and positions her to further advance initiatives in housing, public safety, and fiscal stability.

Winner: Aftab Pureval

Voter Share: 78%

Mayor Aftab Pureval won a second term on November 4, securing a resounding re-election victory after dominating the primary earlier in the year with more than 80% of the vote. This continues his historic tenure as the city’s first Asian American Mayor. Pureval entered the general election with a massive fundraising advantage, raising well over $300,000 this cycle and outpacing his Republican challenger by a significant margin. His opponent, Cory Bowman, the brother of Vice President JD Vance, attempted to nationalize the race and import the politics of division, but Cincinnati voters sided overwhelmingly with Pureval’s steady leadership and the results of his first term. With the City Council firmly aligned and a broad mandate from voters, Pureval plans to accelerate initiatives including improving basic city services, creating jobs, and making neighborhoods safer.

Winner: Jacob Frey

Voter Share: 50.03%

Mayor Jacob Frey captured a third term in Minneapolis, overcoming a fiercely contested race that pitted the two-term incumbent against State Senator Omar Fateh and a crowded field of 14 challengers. Over the campaign cycle, Frey built a fundraising juggernaut, raising over $1.1M and held a strong advantage over his opponents. After guiding the city through years of profound change, Frey’s re-election reflects voters’ preference for steady, pragmatic leadership rooted in progressive values. His victory shows that Frey’s approach to governing collaboratively, solutions focused, and forward looking, resonated with the city’s electorate ready to keep moving the city ahead

Winner: Andre Dickens

Voter Share: 85.3%

Mayor Andre Dickens coasted to re-election in Atlanta, extending a half century trend of incumbent mayors winning second terms. Dickens entered the race with little organized opposition, three challengers filed but none mounted a serious campaign or built meaningful name recognition, leading many observers to describe the contest as one of the quietest mayoral elections in recent Atlanta history. In his first term Dickens focused on practical, bread and butter priorities like expanding affordable housing, improving public safety, investing in infrastructure, and managing growth in one of the country’s fastest rising metro areas. Dickens’ re-election underscores that steady, consistent leadership remains a winning formula in a growing Southern city and that progress often comes from competence rather than spectacle.

Winner: Andy Schor

Voter Share: 66%

Mayor Andy Schor won a convincing third term as Lansing’s Mayor, capturing roughly two-thirds of the vote against his lone challenger. His administration has focused on economic development and public safety, and Schor has remained popular in this Democratic-leaning city. Schor plans to double down on infrastructure upgrades, economic development, and collaborative solutions to challenges like gun violence, all while maintaining the openness and accessibility that have defined his administration.

Winner: Curt Skoog

Voter Share: 70.6%

Incumbent Mayor Curt Skoog won re-election in Overland Park with over 70% of the vote. Skoog campaigned on his record of guiding Kansas’ second largest city through dynamic growth, championing redevelopment projects and a new comprehensive plan to manage expansion while emphasizing quality city services, economic vitality and public safety investments. His win also coincided with left leaning candidates sweeping City Council races, giving Skoog a friendly governing coalition to pursue initiatives like addressing housing shortages and ensuring Overland Park remains a welcoming, inclusive community. With this strong mandate, Skoog will press ahead on updating zoning, improving infrastructure and keeping taxes stable, balancing growth with the quality of life that Overland Park residents cherish.

Winner: Matt Tuerk

Voter Share: 72%

Incumbent Mayor Matt Tuerk won a second term as Allentown’s mayor in a landslide, taking nearly72% of the vote against his Republican opponent. Tuerk, the city’s first Latino Mayor, hailed the high turnout and the broad coalition behind his win. He also pointed to progress made during his first term on infrastructure upgrades, park investments, crime reductions and downtown development. Tuerk’s priorities for term two include accelerating affordable housing projects, improving city services like permitting, and maintaining momentum on economic redevelopment in Pennsylvania’s third largest city.

Winner: Wanda Williams

Voter Share: 56%

Mayor Wanda Williams won re-election in Harrisburg with 56% of the vote. Williams, the city’s first Black female Mayor, framed her win as voters’ reaffirmation of trust in her stewardship. After a term focused on fiscal recovery and neighborhood investment, Williams plans to double down on infrastructure upgrades and crime reduction initiatives, while continuing the financial discipline that helped Harrisburg exit receivership.

Winner: Malik Evans

Voter Share: 85%

Malik Evans was re-elected as Rochester’s mayor with over 85% of the vote, crushing his Conservative Party challenger Louis Sabo. Evans marked his victory as a mandate to continue his aggressive agenda on crime, housing and economic empowerment for New York’s third-largest city. As Evans begins his next term, he said his priorities over the next four years include work on crime and public safety, economic empowerment, the ongoing opioid epidemic, and continued development of affordable housing throughout the city. With such an overwhelming win, Evans enters his second term with strong backing to tackle Rochester’s toughest challenges and realize his vision of a thriving, equitable, city.

Winner: Caroline Simmons

Voter Share: 67%

Incumbent Caroline Simmons won a second term as Stamford’s mayor, capturing just over two-thirds of the vote. Simmons, the city’s first female mayor, declared the results as a clean sweep for Democrats, who also won all 40 seats on Stamford’s Board of Representatives. Simmons says the win sends a message that Democrats will continue to lean into our values of inclusivity and affordability. During her first term, Simmons oversaw strong economic growth in Connecticut’s second largest city and initiated major investments in infrastructure and public schools. Heading into term two, she will focus on expanding housing, improving transit and traffic, and maintaining Stamford’s fiscal health amid. Her decisive re-election gives Simmons a robust mandate to advance her forward-looking agenda.

Top Vote Getter: Michelle Wu

Voter Share: 93.23%

Michelle Wu, Boston’s first female and Asian American mayor, was re-elected essentially unopposed, securing over 93% of the vote after crushing her primary competition and facing only a write in opposition in the general election. Wu celebrated her re-election by reaffirming Boston’s ambitions to be the hub of the universe’s talent and the safest, greenest city for families. In her remarks, Wu also pushed back against President Trump’s attacks on cities, pointedly declaring Boston will not bow to a criminal who acts like a king.

Top Vote Getter: Abdullah Hammoud

Voter Share: 71.79%

Incumbent Mayor Abdullah Hammoud was decisively re-elected as Dearborn’s mayor with over 70% of the vote. At 35, Hammoud has compiled a long list of accomplishments in his first four years leading this major Arab-American community. From balancing budgets and improving parks to cutting pollution and reducing crime, his administration’s achievements have resonated with residents. Hammoud enters his next term poised to further initiatives on infrastructure, economic development, and public safety. His resounding re-election sends the message that Dearborn’s residents endorse his energetic leadership and are eager for four more years of progress under Hammoud’s guidance.

Top Vote Getter: Leo Williams

Voter Share: 57.64%

Incumbent Mayor Leonardo Williams secured a second term as Durham’s mayor, winning over 55% of the vote. A former school teacher and small business owner, Williams has steered North Carolina’s Bull City through a period of rapid growth and innovation. He’s focused on affordability and opportunity, and launched programs like the Bull City Future Fund to invest in local youth and entrepreneurs. His decisive win allows him to advance initiatives begun under his first term, including community based violence interruption programs, affordable housing investments, and a comprehensive plan to manage development so that long-time residents aren’t displaced.

Top Vote Getter: Vi Lyles

Voter Share: 70.43%

Incumbent Mayor Vi Lyles secured a fifth term as Charlotte’s Mayor with 70.4% of the vote, easily defeating her Republican and Libertarian challengers. Lyles’ dominating win underscores the city’s satisfaction with her steady leadership amid explosive growth. She has championed ambitious plans like a $13.5 billion transit expansion and a massive affordable housing program, while also guiding Charlotte through pandemic recovery with calm consensus building leadership. In her victory remarks, Lyles said voters are focused on results and have given her a mandate to continue making Charlotte a city that works for everyone. Top priorities for her new term include accelerating housing construction to ease the cost of living, bolstering public safety with community policing and violence prevention investments, and preparing Charlotte’s infrastructure for further growth. With City Council entirely Democratic and Lyles carrying nearly every precinct, she has broad political capital to enact her vision.

Winner: John Laesch

Voter Share: 52.5%

On April 1, 2025, Democrat alderman-at-large John Laesch unseated two-term Republican Richard Irvin in Illinois’ second-largest city of Aurora, Illinois, winning approximately 52.5% of the vote. Laesch’s victory flipped the seat from Republican to Democrat and marked a notable change in the city’s leadership. His campaign emphasized ethics reform, limiting developer subsidies and pay to play politics, and pledged to bring better paying jobs to working class families rather than subsidize luxury apartments. As mayor, Laesch has prioritized expanding affordable single-family home ownership, investing in green building and sustainability efforts, and restoring neighborhood infrastructure rather than large suburban-style subsidies. He has also pledged to stabilize the city’s finances, reduce reliance on tax increment financing deals that divert school and city revenue, and ensure the city captures its full federal funding following its census undercount.

Winner: John Ewing Jr.

Voter Share: 56.2%

On May 13, 2025, Democrat John Ewing Jr. unseated four term Republican incumbent Jean Stothert in the Omaha mayoral election with 56.2% of the vote. His victory made history with Ewing Jr. becoming Omaha’s first Black mayor and the first Democrat to hold the office since 2009, flipping one of the largest remaining Republican led cities in the country. Ewing ran on a platform focused on public safety, housing affordability, and restoring trust between City Hall and neighborhoods that felt left behind. Since taking office, he has prioritized expanding community policing, accelerating affordable housing development near transit, and investing in job training to meet workforce shortages in health care and manufacturing. His administration has also emphasized transparency and inclusive governance, bringing neighborhood voices more directly into budgeting and planning decisions.

Winner: John Hohrn

Voter Share: 67.22%

On June 3, 2025, Democrat State Senator John Horhn was elected Mayor of Jackson with over 67% of the vote, defeating multiple challengers after having earlier secured the Democratic nomination. Horhn ran on a platform of public safety, restoring trust in local government, improving delivery of basic city services, and stabilizing the city’s finances. Going into office Horhn’s priorities included conducting a forensic audit of city finances, addressing aging infrastructure and tackling blight and abandoned properties across Jackson. He also emphasises reversing population loss, catalyzing economic development and housing growth, and building a safer environment for families and businesses.

Winner: Gina Ortiz Jones

Voter Share: 54.3%

On June 7, 2025, Democrat Gina Ortiz Jones, an Air Force veteran and former Biden administration official, was elected Mayor of San Antonio. Ortiz Jones defeated Republican Rolando Pablos with 54.3% of the vote in the city’s first open mayoral race in 16 years. Her victory was also historic, making her San Antonio’s first openly gay mayor and the first Asian-American woman ever elected to the position. Since taking office, Ortiz Jones has focused on expanding affordable housing, strengthening public safety with community based policing, and investing in infrastructure improvements across fast growing neighborhoods. She has also prioritized economic mobility, streamlining small business support and creating workforce training programs aimed at lifting working families into the middle class.

Winner: Mindy O’Neall

Voter Share: 54%

On October 7, 2025, Democrat Borough Assembly Member Mindy O’Neall won the Fairbanks mayoralty, defeating Republican incumbent David Pruhs with 54.0% of the vote. This Democratic upset flips Fairbanks’ city government to Democratic control for the first time in a decade, in a city Donald Trump carried by nine points in 2024. O’Neall campaigned on strengthening core city services, improving winter road maintenance, and ensuring Fairbanks keeps up with infrastructure needs as the population grows. She has also emphasized affordable housing, expanding access to transitional housing, and addressing homelessness through partnerships with local nonprofits. As Mayor-Elect, O’Neall has said she will prioritize transparent budgeting, more neighborhood engagement in city planning, and rebuilding trust with city workers and first responders who have been under-resourced in recent years.

Winner: Helena Moreno

Voter Share: 54.87%

On October 11, 2025, City Councilmember Helena Moreno won the New Orleans mayoral election outright in the jungle primary, avoiding a runoff. She received about 55.0%, easily surpassing the 50% threshold required to win. Moreno’s victory is historic, as she will become the first Latina mayor in New Orleans history. Her campaign centered on improving public safety through stronger police recruitment, retention, and community-based violence prevention. She also emphasized infrastructure and drainage upgrades, faster blight remediation, and expanding affordable housing across the city. As mayor-elect, Moreno has continued to highlight transparency, accountability, and consistent delivery of basic city services as top priorities heading into her first term.

Winner: Zohran Mamdani

Voter Share: 50.4%

Democrat State Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, was elected Mayor of New York City, the largest city in the United States, with over 50.4% of the vote, defeating Republican Curtis Sliwa and independent Andrew Cuomo in a high turnout election becoming the city’s youngest Mayor since 1892. Running on a platform centered on housing affordability and economic justice, Mamdani built a broad progressive coalition and exceeded 1 million votes, a feat not seen in a NYC mayoral race in over half a century. He has pledged an ambitious agenda that reflects his belief that the city can be made livable for working families again. Heading into office, Mamdani faces immediate tests but with the city’s highest voter turnout in decades and a robust Democratic majority on the City Council, he enters City Hall with a strong mandate.

Winner: Mary Sheffield

Voter Share: 77.02%

Democrat Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield won in a historic landslide, capturing over 77% of the vote. Sheffield at 36 is the youngest Mayor in modern Detroit history and the first woman to be elected Mayor in the city’s 324 year history. She campaigned on bridging the gap between downtown’s resurgence and long-neglected neighborhoods, promising to prioritize affordable housing, basic city services, and opportunities for Detroit’s youth and working class residents. Sheffield is poised to usher Detroit into a new era focused on equity, fiscal responsibility, and delivering on the promise of progress for all its people.

Winner: Corey O’Connor

Voter Share: 87.5%

Democrat Corey O’Connor, the son of former Pittsburgh Mayor Bob O’Connor, was elected in a landslide, winning over 87% of the vote over Republican Tony Moreno. O’Connor, who defeated incumbent Mayor Ed Gainey in the May primary, campaigned on uniting the city and delivering results on pressing issues like public safety, housing, and city finances. In his victory speech, O’Connor acknowledged the uphill road he faces but pledged to prepare to tackle challenges such as violent crime and an impending budget shortfall on day one. He specifically promised to hire a new police chief swiftly and to create opportunities for youth, echoing his late father’s emphasis on community policing and mentorship programs. With Democrats sweeping all down-ballot races locally, O’Connor will have the political support to advance his agenda of shoring up city finances, facilitating responsible development, and prioritizing neighborhood safety and livability across Pittsburgh. O’Connor becomes the youngest Mayor elected in nearly a century.

Winner: Sharon Owens

Voter Share: 73.50%

Democrat Deputy Mayor Sharon Owens was elected the city’s first Black Mayor of Syracuse with more than 73% of the vote, handily defeating Republican Thomas Babilon and two minor independent candidates. She ran on a promise to continue Syracuse’s recent progress while bringing new urgency to persistent problems like gun violence and poverty. With Democrats in control of the Common Council, Owens will have support to advance key initiatives such as expanding affordable housing, reforming the police department in line with state mandates, and improving educational partnerships for Syracuse’s youth.

Winner: Sean Ryan

Voter Share: 72.3%

Democratic State Senator Sean Ryan was elected mayor of Buffalo in a landslide, winning more than 72% of the vote over Republican James Gardner. He campaigned as a pragmatic progressive, vowing to address essential city services, struggling schools, aging infrastructure, looming multi-year budget deficits, and persistent poverty. With Democrats also sweeping Buffalo’s Common Council, Ryan will have a cooperative legislature to implement policies. Ryan becomes Buffalo’s first new mayor in nearly two decades.

Winner: Dorcey Applyrs

Voter Share: 86%

Democrat Common Council President Dorcey Applyrs made history by winning Albany’s mayoral race in a landslide over Republican Rocco Pezzulo, becoming the first Black person elected Mayor of New York’s capital city. Her agenda includes aggressive investment in affordable housing, expanded youth job programs, and improved basic services. With Democrats dominating city politics, Applyrs will have supportive partners on the Common Council to advance progressive policies.

Winner: Kaohly Her

Voter Share: 48%

Democrat State Rep. Kaohly Her scored a surprising upset in St. Paul’s ranked choice mayoral race, unseating two-term Mayor Melvin Carter. After trailing in first choice votes, Her surged in the instant runoff to win with about 48% to Carter’s 45%, becoming the first Hmong American and first woman to lead St. Paul. As the city’s new mayor, Her will work alongside an all-female City Council and has vowed to bring a collaborative, hands on approach to ensure St. Paul’s government runs well and delivers results for every neighborhood.

Winner: Daria Devlin

Voter Share: 75.22%

Democrat Daria Devlin was elected mayor of Erie in a landslide, winning over 75% of the vote against Republican businessman Matthew Thomas. Running on a message of new energy for Pennsylvania’s fourth largest city, Devlin ran on focusing on practical improvements, like smoother streets, more efficient permitting, safer neighborhoods, and her victory indicates a strong public appetite for her hands-on, community-centric approach. She will also be the first woman to lead Erie in over two decades, and she’s pledged to champion inclusivity and economic revival in a city that has struggled with industrial decline. With the city’s finances stabilizing and downtown on the cusp of a revival, Devlin plans to leverage her decisive victory to grow regional partnerships to create jobs, while doubling down on quality of life issues.

Winner: Tim Keller

Voter Share: 58%

Democratic Mayor Tim Keller secured re-election to a historic third term, becoming the first mayor in Albuquerque’s history to achieve that milestone. Keller defeated Republican former Bernalillo County Sheriff Darren White in a race defined by public safety, homelessness, and sustained MAGA-aligned attacks. Despite an aggressive opposition campaign Keller successfully framed the election as a choice between moving Albuquerque forward or pulling it backward. His victory underscores the durability of Democratic governance and affirms voter trust in Keller’s vision forward.

Winner: Eileen Higgins

Voter Share: 59.46

Democrat Eileen Higgins was elected Mayor of Miami, making history as the city’s first Democratic mayor in nearly three decades and the first woman ever elected to the office. The runoff election saw higher turnout than the general election, an extraordinary signal of voter engagement in a city where municipal participation has traditionally lagged. Higgins defeated Republican Emilio González by building a broad, multiracial coalition and energizing younger and infrequent voters, while framing the race around failures of the past and talking about issues voters locally actually cared about. Her decisive margin represents a dramatic Democratic overperformance in a city Kamala Harris narrowly carried in 2024. Higgins enters City Hall with a strong mandate and a clear signal that Democrats can still organize, mobilize, and win in South Florida when the message and coalition align.

Winner: Katie Wilson

Voter Share: 50.20%

Progressive organizer Katie Wilson was elected Mayor of Seattle following a high turnout election that drew one of the largest municipal electorates in the city’s modern history. Wilson defeated incumbent Mayor Bruce Harrell by consolidating progressive voters and benefiting from a surge of late-counted ballots. Wilson campaigned on a housing-first approach to homelessness, stronger tenant protections, and expanded public investment funded by large employers. Entering office with energized grassroots support and a receptive City Council, Wilson begins her term determined to deliver structural change in one of the nation’s most influential Democratic cities.