Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani’s surprise ascent to front-runner status in New York City’s mayoral race has become a national political flash point this summer. But Mamdani is not the only socialist making inroads in municipal politics. In Minnesota, state senator and Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) member Omar Fateh has secured the Democratic Farmer-Labor Party’s endorsement in his campaign for mayor of Minneapolis against incumbent Jacob Frey.

DSA-backed candidates are also continuing to run for city council seats elsewhere across the country. In Atlanta, Georgia, labor activist and longtime DSA member Kelsea Bond is running to represent District 2 on the city council. Bond currently has the endorsement of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 77 as well as the Atlanta DSA chapter; if they win, they would be the first socialist elected to the Atlanta City Council.

Jacobin’s Sara Wexler spoke to Bond about why they decided to run, their platform to expand affordable housing and public transit, and how they hope grassroots activist support will help them fight the status quo in Atlanta politics.