Kshama Sawant's upstart campaign for Seattle City Council passed another milestone this week when she crossed the $100,000 campaign fundraising mark.

It's an important accomplishment for any candidate—not to mention a Socialist—for two reasons: 1) a six-figure-plus war chest is all but a prerequisite for mounting a credible challenge to a sitting incumbent, and 2) it represents a broad base of enthusiastic support. In fact, during the final two weeks of October, Sawant actually out-raised Richard Conlin $26,588.83 to $11,870.55, a fundraising period during which she also passed the 1,000 contribution mark, another milestone indicative of her strong campaign. Momentum!

Of course, Sawant could always use a little more cash for the final push, so give generously if you can.

Sawant has come a long way since her insurgent write-in campaign against House Speaker Frank Chopp last year. She's helped change the conversation of the political debate this election season, and I haven't heard from a single experienced political observer who doesn't think she has a chance of actually winning. It'll be an interesting election night.