<p>Seattle voters have elected a socialist to city council for the first time in modern history.</p>
<p>Kshama Sawant's lead continued to grow on Friday, prompting 16-year incumbent Richard Conlin to concede.</p>
<p>Even in this liberal city, Sawant's win has surprised many here. Conlin was backed by the city's political establishment. On election night, she trailed by four percentage points. She wasn't a veteran politician, having only run in one previous campaign.</p>