New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani convinced many progressive Democrats that they could find success employing his flashy, eye-catching campaign style.

He rode his prominent promises of fast and free buses, a rent freeze for certain tenants, and no-cost child care all the way to Gracie Mansion and over the well-politically established former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo. His viral social media prowess gave color to his messaging and spread it to voters.