Inside the Rise of a Populist Ad Strategist Shaping Democratic Campaigns
Morris Katz, a 27‑year‑old political ad maker, is pushing a brand of economic populism that favors outsider candidates who look the part of working‑class heroes.
Who Is Morris Katz?
Morris Katz entered a Brooklyn Heights diner this summer, removed his backwards baseball cap, placed a Zyn pouch in his mouth, and set his cracked iPhone face down on the table. While claiming “I never do this,” he dropped a Hershey’s Kiss into his espresso and began speaking.
The 27‑year‑old describes himself as a political strategist and confidant of Zohran Mamdani. He argues that the Democratic Party is “beholden to billionaire oligarchs” and out of touch with the economic concerns of most Americans. “You can’t tell someone they’re getting fucked and not tell them who’s fucking them,” he said, rejecting incremental change in favor of outsiders who promise to “blow up a corrupt system.”
Career Trajectory
Katz made his name on Mamdani’s New York City mayoral campaign. He cites David Axelrod as a mentor. Throughout 2026 he followed a vertical trajectory, gaining attention for his ad work.
One of his biggest victories came in June when his client Graham Platner defeated Maine Governor Janet Mills in the state Senate primary. The win unraveled after Platner withdrew amid scandals involving Nazi tattoos and rape allegations, leading to criticism of Katz and concerns within the Democratic Party about entrusting a crucial race to a young strategist.
Fight Agency’s Playbook
Katz is a partner at Fight Agency, a firm created to back progressive outsiders. He looks for candidates who can appear as credible populist messengers, emphasizing visual cues such as beards, Carhartt clothing, and tattoos (excluding Nazi symbols). Charisma on stage and on a phone screen is essential.
The ads he produces are unapologetically direct. A recent spot for Brian Poindexter, an ironworker running for Congress in Ohio, shows the candidate playing football, driving a forklift, and declaring he wants to “go build stuff,” not think about politics. Other clients are shown welding, farming, or fixing heavy machinery on screen, even though Katz himself does not perform those jobs.
Populist Messaging Over Cultural Moderation
Katz argues that Democrats should focus on confrontational economic populism, believing that material concerns will outweigh cultural debates. He suggests a class war can replace the culture war.
In an ad for Gina Hinojosa, who is challenging Texas Governor Greg Abbott, she says, “They want to run an entire campaign saying that I’m too woke. Let’s roll. I plan to spend an entire campaign focused on the fact that working people are too broke.”
Recent Successes
Katz’s approach has yielded wins in intra‑party contests in heavily Democratic areas. Claire Valdez, a former Columbia University union worker and ally of Mamdani, defeated the party‑selected successor of a retiring incumbent in her primary this summer. She is the overwhelming favorite to win the general election for a district covering northern Brooklyn and western Queens.
Key Takeaways
Katz views the Democratic Party as captive to wealthy donors and seeks outsider candidates who can project a working‑class image.
His firm’s ads spotlight blue‑collar activities to resonate with voters, regardless of the candidates’ actual backgrounds.
Despite a high‑profile scandal, Katz remains a significant force shaping Democratic primaries ahead of the midterms.
As the 2026 midterm cycle approaches, Katz’s brand of economic populism continues to influence which faces appear on Democratic ballots across the nation.
