What Zohran Mamdani's campaign can teach us about 2026

If the Democrats want to start winning elections again, and finally defeat the MAGA movement, they need to pay attention to Zohran Mamdani's campaign.

At just 33 years old, this socialist challenger has gained attention for bold ideas like free buses, a $30 minimum wage, universal childcare, city-run grocery stores, and ending the bureaucratic paralysis that has long plagued NYC. Recently, he achieved the remarkable feat of defeating the political juggernaut that is Andrew Cuomo.

For most political analysts, this victory appears to defy conventional trends. But here’s the truth—it doesn't. It validates what the team at Roots to Results (R2R) has believed from the beginning: campaigns don’t need better messaging; they need to make deeper connections. Let’s explore why.

Most advisors will tell you that elections are won with money. And that’s often true—money fuels mailers, ads, polling, and ground game efforts. Cuomo entered with an $8 million reserve and quickly raised another $1.5 million in just 13 days.

But in the wise words of James Baldwin, “things don’t change—we change.” Real change is possible when campaigns stop assuming what constituents want and instead genuinely connect with them in a meaningful, authentic way.

Authenticity matters, especially in a race where you can’t meet every voter face-to-face. Your “brand” must speak for you. Zohran Mamdani’s campaign was marked by its visually compelling, referenceable graphics. They weren’t just eye-catching; they conveyed a clear, tangible message. When we first saw his brand, produced by Forge, we immediately thought “it reminds us of the Zabar’s logo.” That’s genius—using NYC icons like MetroCards, bridges, hot dogs, and neighborhood landmarks to instantly resonate with residents. And he didn’t stop there; each borough’s visuals tied directly to local icons like the Staten Island Ferry, Coney Island, the Brooklyn Bridge, CitiField, and more.

This is a masterclass in cultural connection. Mamdani knows what NYC is and made it his message. 

He also focused on three concrete issues that really matter to New Yorkers right now: 

1. Freeze the Rent 

2. Childcare for All 

3. Fast & Free Buses

Instead of drowning voters in a sea of platitudes or elaborating on arcane policy points, Zohran Mamdani is out in the community, chatting with halal cart vendors about “halalflation”—a term he coined to highlight the rising cost of street meat. His goal isn’t to criticize the vendors but to spotlight the NYC City Council’s “Street Vendor Reform Package,” which would give vendors their own permits and allow them to charge less—yet these reforms have remained stagnant under Mayor Adams. Most people aren’t interested in reading pages of legislation, but they do care about paying $7 instead of $10 for lamb and rice at their favorite cart. That’s a tangible difference that resonates.

You might have also seen him riding the BX10, showing just how slow the buses can be—travelling at just about 8 mph thanks to fare processing delays and technical glitches. His promise of “fast and free buses” aims to make NYC more efficient and accessible. Do voters want to save around $2,500 a year and arrive 20 to 45 minutes earlier? If so, great—vote for him. He’s not diving into complex economic theories behind transit costs; he’s engaging in a simple, relatable truth that New Yorkers understand: NYC buses are too slow and too expensive. It’s a straightforward issue everyone can bond over—and one that speaks directly to everyday struggles.

Mamdani’s simple, accessible platform captured the essence of what many care about—affordable living and everyday convenience. This approach echoes Gov. Jim McGreevey’s successful 2001 campaign, which centered around car insurance reform — a relatable, immediate concern for voters.

Across the country, trailblazing figures like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY), Deja Foxx (AZ), Gary Chambers (LA), Rep. Jamaal Bowman (NY), Gov. Roy Cooper (NC), and Rep. Justin Pearson (TN) have harnessed the power of straightforward messaging and personal connection to inspire grassroots support. Their campaigns prove that when politicians speak directly to voters' core issues—highlighting economic and community concerns—they create genuine, lasting bonds.

The Democratic Party has lost sight of this simple truth: effective campaigns are rooted in real human connection, not just abstract policy points or polished rhetoric, and it has cost us. We need to re-center strategy around everyday concerns and tangible solutions.

Mamdani’s victory reminds us of the power of clarity and authenticity. By addressing specific, relatable issues, politicians can forge real bonds, and win.

At Roots to Results, we believe in the transformative power of these strategies. We’re committed to helping campaigns take risks that prioritize authentic, issue-driven engagement, especially in a landscape where the Democratic messaging has too often been detached from voters’ realities.

The message is clear: it’s time to do things differently. In a landscape where the Democratic Party seems adrift, we need to embrace strategies deeply rooted in economic realities and emphasize those tangible touchpoints to re-establish trust and relevance with voters. We should look to Zohran Mamdani's campain for lessons on what voters are looking for in 2026.

“The name is Mamdani, M-A-M-D-A-N-I,” and we all should learn how to say it.