Zohran Mamdani decided, in his quest to become New York City's mayor, he would walk the entire length of Manhattan - starting at 7 one Friday evening in early June.
By the time he was done, it was 2:30 a.m.
Video of the feat on social media captures New Yorkers frame by frame giving him thumbs up and embracing him. Several clap for the "next Mayor". He's doing it, he tells followers, because New Yorkers deserve a mayor they can see, hear and even yell at.
It takes only a quick scroll through 33-year-old Mamdani's social media accounts to understand just how different his style is from that of a traditional politician, rejecting typical soundbites for a more unrehearsed feel. After he won the New York Democratic primary on Tuesday, that playbook is getting accolades for its ability to attract a large coalition.
This is a wakeup call for the Democratic Party, said pollster Frank Luntz. The big loser of the night wasn't his main opponent, former governor Andrew Cuomo, he said, but the US Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who represents the Democratic Party establishment.
