The Dig Zohran’s Message w/ Andrew Epstein
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Dec 29, 2025 Andrew Epstein, a communications director and strategist for Zoran Mamdani's mayoral campaign, shares insights into their innovative approach. He highlights the campaign's focus on affordability, citing how they effectively connected with voters, including those who previously supported Trump. Epstein discusses the importance of crafting a positive narrative for New York, managing media attacks with honesty, and the pivotal role of grassroots organizing. He also reflects on the influence of Bernie Sanders' campaign strategies on their outreach and messaging.
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Comms Can Build Political Reality
- A disciplined comms operation can introduce a candidate and vision to millions without legacy media gatekeepers.
- Videos plus door-knocking created a shared belief that joint action could make NYC affordable.
First Meeting At The Election Lawyer
- Andrew met Zoran when their campaigns shared an election lawyer during Emily Gallagher's 2020 race.
- That meeting seeded later collaboration and eventual comms leadership on the mayoral campaign.
Focus On One Gripping Problem
- Run the campaign around a tight, tangible thesis tied to daily life rather than broad abstractions.
- Pair that thesis with relentless field work and creative content to raise issue salience.
