I've seen this in my civilian life. Some fat-cat executive installed his booty-call girl as a functioning hands on manager over real people on the floor. It did not work. Will not discuss the cartoons they drew in the bathroom.
Katie Hobbs essentially elected herself, through tricks, intimidation, friends, and power loopholes. She may have elected herself technically, but everyone knows she is a fraud. She can claim the seat, but she can never make people 'respect' her. Most people see her as an illegitimate conniving swamp creature.