Americano How did Zohran Mamdani win?
Jun 25, 2025
Aidan McLaughlin, Editor in Chief of Mediaite and contributor for Spectator, dives into Zohran Mamdani's stunning rise as the Democratic nominee for NYC mayor. They discuss the unexpected defeat of Andrew Cuomo and the role social media, especially TikTok, played in reaching younger voters. McLaughlin highlights shifts in voter priorities from crime to affordability, and how Mamdani's charismatic appeal resonates with disillusioned youth. The conversation also touches on changing dynamics within the Democratic Party and the implications for the future of political campaigning.
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Mamdani's Unexpected Rise
- Zohran Mamdani's candidacy emerged rapidly from near zero polling to winning against the establishment favorite.
- His grassroots support among younger voters and smart use of ranked choice voting were key to his victory.
Social Media Mastery Drives Win
- Mamdani leveraged a savvy social media campaign focusing on rent and cost of living.
- He skillfully used short-form vertical videos on TikTok to engage younger voters and control the narrative.
Income Voter Patterns Unexpected
- Voter income data showed surprising trends: lower income voters favored Cuomo while middle-class and higher income voted for Mamdani.
- Mamdani resonated with those feeling economically squeezed despite not being wealthy by city standards.