Astead Herndon

They really embodied, I think, Democrats' first attempts and first efforts at resistance.

They both have national security backgrounds in the Navy and in the CIA, and they've really led with that.

I think these campaigns represent kind of the early seeds of showing how the more centrist wing, the more moderate wing of Democrats has even started to stretch some new muscles.

Sheryl in New Jersey really focused on electricity and bringing down those prices.

As a 20 percent utility rate hike crushes New Jersey families.

In Virginia, Spanberger really focused on the contraction of the federal government and the ways that, you know, the firing of government employees particularly affected folks in Virginia.

That was successful there.

And so put New Jersey and Virginia together.

And it wasn't just a good night for progressives and the mumdonies of the world.

It was a good night for, I would say, the moderate wing of the party as well and just Democrats broadly.

Well, the answer is all the above.

I don't think that anyone can blanket say that a 2018 Democrat cannot work in 2025.

But I think it's also important that who Sheryl and Spanberger were represented a different type of Democrat than I think they were in 2018.

And that time, the focus was largely on Donald Trump, his actions, and not necessarily presenting an affirmative vision on their own.

I think both of those candidates did so and made a point.

to not simply be running against Donald Trump's actions.

I also would say Democrats, and I think the parties in general, have multiple fights at once, and particularly in statewide races and in races where there is a competitive Republican on the other side.

The issue of electability of someone being so-called less of a lightning rod or less controversial

It becomes more important.

Voters want to find someone who maybe can reach out to the other side.