How Zohran Mamdani Won NYC, Our 2026 U.S. Midterms Preview

Tiktok is shaping politics. But how?

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Zohrán Mamdani’s win in New York showed how digital storytelling, humour, and genuine community energy can take a campaign from TikTok all the way to City Hall—see what made his campaign tick!

With a year to go until the 2026 U.S. midterms, we’ll also be exploring how AI-driven targeting and real-time data could shape the race for Congress.

Scroll down to catch up on the takeaways from our latest webinars.

What are the predictions and how could Political Tech tip the 2026 midterms?

📍 Online 🗓️ Monday, 24 November 2025

🕔 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM CEST

With a year to go until the 2026 U.S. midterms, political tech is already reshaping campaigns. Historically, the president’s party loses seats, but early forecasts suggest Democrats could reclaim the House by flipping a handful of swing districts.

In this Political Tech Preview, Eric Wilson, Executive Director at Campaign Trend and a veteran political technologist who has led digital teams for U.S. Senate and presidential campaigns, will explore how campaigns are leveraging AI and data-driven tools to shape narratives, track voter sentiment in real time, and maximise impact in high-stakes contests.

From TikTok to City Hall: How Zohran Mamdani won NYC

Zohran Mamdani’s rise from political newcomer to New York City’s mayor-elect wasn’t just about good ideas, it was about using technology, creativity, and community power to run a modern campaign.

In my latest LinkedIn article, I explore The Mamdani Method.

Read the article

Missed our last discussion on the rise of political influencers? Here are 5 takeaways.

Thank you for joining last week's Deep Dive! 💡

Here's what stood out in our webinar on the end of ads and the rise of creators:

Platforms like Meta and Google have stopped running political ads under new transparency rules. This shift marks the beginning of a “post-ad era” where persuasion and mobilisation rely on alternative channels.

The money previously spent on ads should not be cut but redirected towards new tactics such as creator partnerships, organic engagement, and community-led storytelling.

Influencers and micro-creators are increasingly trusted sources of information. Around 63% of people trust them more than brands, and 4 in 10 get news via social media. Authentic, value-aligned creators can effectively translate political messages.

Unlike the US’s celebrity-driven influencer culture, Europe requires working with local, smaller-scale voices who are credible within their linguistic and cultural contexts. Authenticity and relevance outweigh reach.

High-volume, authentic creator content often outperforms high-production ads. Political organisations should prioritise storytelling that feels personal and real, integrating creators into long-term engagement strategies rather than one-off campaigns.

Read the full analysis

Missed our last discussion on the Dutch elections? Here are 5 takeaways.

Thank you for joining last week's Political Tech Review! 💡

Here's what stood out in our webinar on the Dutch elections:

Traditional centre parties must go beyond defending the status quo against radical right opponents. A clear, optimistic vision of the future is crucial for winning voter support, as D66 demonstrated in the Dutch elections.

Successful campaigns invest in strong digital infrastructure, integrating data systems and ensuring a smooth supporter experience, especially in fundraising and mobilisation.

Personalisation and multi-channel approaches—blending online tools with traditional methods like phone banking—remain key to effective digital campaigning.

New digital spaces such as podcasts are increasingly influential, while platforms like TikTok remain challenging. Shifts away from social media ads toward traditional media and outdoor campaigns are also notable.

Digital tools should support community organising. Trust through local, physical relationships remains essential, and strong fundamentals help campaigns respond to AI-driven disinformation while maintaining resilience.

Read the full analysis

✨ What's new

TikTok

TikTok’s new Election Integrity Whitepaper details how the platform works to protect democratic processes and promote transparent political communication, outlines its policies, partnerships, and safeguards designed to support fair and secure elections worldwide.

Learn more